'No, you didn't, because I was by,' retorted the honey-bee, and put forth her sting. 'If I had been underground, you'd have taken her in. I know you; yah!'
And in the little parlour behind the bar, the comfortable Mrs. Warne settled herself before the fire, and drew up her gown so as not to scorch it, and looked smilingly at the more attractive bagman of the two, and said, 'Ah! Mr. Thomson, if you only knew from what I have saved you.'
'From what, my dearest Mrs. Warne?'
'From fascinations you could not have resisted. There has been here a peculiarly handsome woman wanting a situation—as ostler. If she had come, there would have been no drawing you from the stables.'
'Madame—elsewhere perhaps—but assuredly not here.'
The women were all against Jane Marley because she was still good-looking.
CHAPTER II
ON THE VERGE
Jane Marley wrapped her shawl about her; her head was bowed, her lips set, her grip on her daughter unrelaxed.