72 A SPOKE IN THE WHEEL.

was he now to do with them? He walked across
the fields towards the Dove-Bridge, and came to the
very wise conclusion, that two of them he would
keep, and the other eight, wrapping neatly in paper,
he would drop, on his return, in the market-place,
where they would be sure to be found. As to the
two that he retained, he would boldly confess the
having purchased them, and ask permission for
Reynolds and himself to go to the theatre that night.
He did as he had resolved; and, after just about
as much reproof as he expected from Mr. and Mrs.
Osborne, tea was hastened, and, grateful to his com-
panion for having obtained for him this unexpected
pleasure, Reynolds ran up-stairs to prepare his
toilet.

The little theatre was crowded, and the fair Jessie
was received most enthusiastically. Williams thought
her lovelier than ever in her quiet Quaker costume. ©
“All the town is in love with her,” said he to his
companion ; “and is she not an angel ?”

It was quite a brilliant night. The very gentry of
the town were there ; and there, seated between the
two daughters of the lawyer, sat Tom Bassett.
Williams was delighted, for with these two young
ladies he was quite secure for the night.

“ And now, my dear, good fellow,” whispered
Williams to his companion, just before the curtain
fell, “ you must stand my friend. You will ; promise
me you will!” said he, laying his hand on his arm,
and: looking quite agitated. “J am in love with
Miss Bannerman; she knows it; she loves me, too,
and has promised me a little interview this evening.
She is a very angel : she is a good girl, I assure you :
I love her as my life, and I am sure you will be my