Page:Joan, the curate.djvu/186

180 "My lover!" said she. "And pray who may he be?"

"Well, I know not which is the favored one," said Tregenna. "But I gather from what I have heard—overheard, that there are two who crave your favor: one Gardener Tom, a handsome lad, too good for his vile trade, and he they call Ben the Blast, for whom, truly, I feel no great liking."

"Well, then, sir, know this: little as your liking for him may be, 'tis greater than mine. And as for young Tom, why, in truth I should be sorry to see him fall, but, 'twould be for his mother's sake, and not for my own. As you said but some minutes since, I am ill-fitted to deal in such small wares as kisses and caresses!"

"Nay, I said not so, Mistress Ann."

"You said you looked not upon me as upon a woman."

"But there be other men that do so look upon you."

Ann came a little nearer, and smiled grimly.

"Ay, there's your friend the general. He looked upon me with a most kindly eye. And there's young Master Bertram at Hurst Court,