Page:Joan, the curate.djvu/268

262 there's one man in the world less likely than another to spirit away your friend Ann Price, or indeed to have aught to do with her, 'gad, 'tis I!"

Tom passed his hand over his chin reflectively: he did not yet seem satisfied.

"Faith, man, what further assurance do you want?" said Tregenna, amused at the fellow's persistency. "Dost still think I'm in love with thy fair friend the amazon?"

"Nay, sir that I do not," replied Tom, slowly. "But 'tis her that's in love with thee! And, sure, she's more loike to have her way with thee, than ever thou wouldst ha' been to make way with her, if so be it had been t'other way round!"

"Make yourself easy on that point also," answered Tregenna, now laughing heartily at the young man's fears. "Mistress Ann would get no soft words from me, no loving looks, and no fond embraces, were I the only man left on the earth, and she the only woman!"

"Sir," said Tom, not a bit relieved by the assurance, "I do believe you mean what you say. But she's no common woman, isn't Ann; and since she's sworn she'll have your kisses