Page:Between Two Loves.djvu/163

158 replenish the fire. Eleanor's white cheeks and hopeless air made the woman sorry for her. She set down the empty scuttle, and said, "Mistress Aske, I am grieved for thee. Why doesn't thou go and mak' up with thy husband? Depend upon it, he'll niver be able to say a cross word to thee."

"Oh, thank you, Martha! You are the only person that has had a kind word for me for so long! I would go to the squire if I knew where he was. I think I would go to the end of the world if I could only put an end to this trouble."

"Nay, then, thou need only go to thy own place. T' squire came home yesterday, and varry old and bad he looks, so Jane Arkroyd says. I'd tell Jimmy to drive thee oover to Aske, and for thy own sake and for Master Burley's sake, I'd try and put a stop to a' this worriting and waste o' good brass."

"I have a great mind to take your advice, Martha. I am sure it is good advice. But I won't have Jimmy. If I go, no one but you shall know; then, if I fail, I am sure you will keep my fresh sorrow and shame in your own heart."