Page:Cerise, a tale of the last century (IA cerisetaleoflast00whytrich).pdf/466

 this time, and had so thoroughly entered into the spirit of the game, that she felt she could let the captain make love to her for an hour at a stretch, red nose and all, rather than he should escape out of their clutches.

"And the other gentleman?" she asked, glancing at the note-book, as if she thought they too might be inscribed on its well-filled pages. "Him that sits upstairs writing all day, and him that lives up with Sir George at the Hill, and only comes down our way about dusk. There can't be much harm about that one, Sir Marmaduke, I think. Such a pale, thin, quiet young gentleman, and for all he seems so unhappy, as meek as a mouse."

"Let the other gentlemen alone, Alice," answered the justice. "You're a good girl, and a pretty one, and you showed your sense in coming over here at once without saying a word to anybody. Now, you'll take my advice, my dear; I am sure you will. Get home before it's dark. I'd send you with Ralph and old Dapple, but that it would make a talk. Never mind, you've a good pair of legs, I know; so make all the use you can of them. I don't like such a blooming lass to be tramping about these wild moors of ours after nightfall. Tell your aunt to brew you a posset the moment you get home. If she asks any questions, say I told you to come up here about renewing the license. Above all, don't tattle. Keep silence for a week, only a week, and I'll give you leave after that to chatter till your tongue aches. And now, Alice, you're a sensible girl, I believe, and not easily frightened. Listen to what these two priests say. Hide behind the window-curtain, under the bed, anywhere, only find out for certain what they're at, and come again to me."

"But they speak French," objected Alice, whereat her listener's face fell, though he smiled well-pleased when she added, modestly; "not but what I know enough to understand them, if I don't have to answer."

"Quite right, quite right, my dear," assented the justice; "you're a clever girl enough. Mind you show your cleverness by keeping your tongue between your teeth. And now it's high time you were off. Remember what I've told you. Mum's the word, my dear; and fare ye well."

So the justice, opening the door for Alice with all