"They told me what I told you," said the girl.
"And I blamed you for it all, poor girl."
"Then you forgive me?" she said, lifting her eyes timidly.
"Forgive you?—ask God to forgive you, girl. I am only a man, and you have wrecked my life."
There was a foot on the ladder, and Jabez, the boy, stepped up, a candle in his hand. He had been waiting for the landlady, when he heard voices overhead.
"The varra man!" shouted Gubblum. "Didsta see owt of thy master down-stairs?"
Jabez grinned, and glanced up at Paul Ritson.
"Hark ye, laal man, didsta see two men leaving the house a matter of fifteen minutes ago?"
"Belike I did," said Jabez. "And to be sure it were the gentleman that come here afore—and another one."
"Another one—your master, you mean?"