206 The Little Minister

«What business is it of mine?” asked Gavin,
amazed at his late presumption, “ whether you
are a gypsy or no?”

«None whatever.”

“ And as for the ring —”’

Here he gave her an opportunity of allowing
that his curiosity about the ring was warranted.
She declined to help him, however, and so he
had to go on.

“The ring is yours,” he said, “ and why
should you not wear it?”

«¢ Why, indeed ?”’

“1 am afraid I have a very bad temper.”

He paused for a contradiction, but she nodded
her head in agreement.

« And it is no wonder,” he continued, “ that
you think me a—a brute.”

<|’m-sute4t Is-not. ’

“But, Babbie, I want you to know that I
despise myself for my base suspicions. No
sooner did I see them than I loathed them and
myself for harbouring them. Despite this mys-
tery, I look upon you as a noble-hearted girl.
I shall always think of you so.”

This time Babbie did not reply.

“ That was all I had to say,” concluded Gavin,
“except that I hope you will not punish Nanny
for my sins. Good-bye.”

“ Good-bye,” said the Egyptian, who was
looking at the well.

The minister’s legs could not have heard him
give the order to march, for they stood waiting.

“J thought,” said the Egyptian, after a mo-
ment, “that you said you were going.”