144 CAUGHT COURTING. 



' " Yes/' said I; and for the life of me, not caring if 

 I was to be hung for it, I got up, put my arms round 

 her neck, and kissed her. Not a word of objection 

 did she say, nor did she repulse me. So I kissed her 

 again and again, and how much longer I would have 

 continued doing so I cannot say, when a rough hand 

 was placed on my shoulder, and a harsh half-oath, 

 half-exclamation, reminded me that I was still in this 

 world. 



'The old man was mad. He stamped and swore, 

 and ordered me off his place. Not a word could I 

 get in ; he would not listen to me. At length I 

 thought he would have struck me I half believe it 

 was his intention to do so, but Angey came in be- 

 tween us, threw herself at her father's feet, and 

 begged that he would forgive me. This calmed him 

 down a little, but when she added that she was as 

 much to blame as me, if not more, he. changed en- 

 tirely, and, collecting himself with an effort, asked, 

 " Do you, my daughter, mean to say that you love 

 this stranger ? that you could leave me, and go and 

 live with him ? " 



' His daughter answered, " I do love him, but it 

 shall not part me from you." 



( Again I would have spoken, and again was 

 ordered to go. Angey beckoned me to obey, but as 

 I turned slowly round and moodily retraced my 

 steps towards home, the old man called after me, 

 "To-morrow, at noon, I will come and see you." 



' All that night I sat up over the fire. Sleep 



