"I'll do anything in my power to please you, Bet," he said. "I ain't a bad sort--my bark's worse nor my bite. I'm not a polished diamond. But ef I don't make you a good husband, and ef you and me won't have the jolliest little house in Liverpool together, my name ain't Dent--no--my name ain't Dent. You trust me, Bet--I'll not anger you either now nor in the future. What is it you wants me to do?" "To leave me alone," said Bet, "until you can fetch the license and bring me to church with you. Ef I was to see too much of you atween now and our wedding, no promise that ever was would bind me. You keep away, Isaac, and leave me my fortnight in peace, and I'll do what I said I'd do--yes, I'll do it--I'll pay the price. You go back to Liverpool, Isaac, and leave me yere--I has to find father and the lads. And ef Jenny's a good sort, I'll stay with her. Ef she ain't, I'll find my own lodging. But in no case will I walk with you, or talk with you, until the day as we is wed. Ef I stays here for a fortnight we can be wed here, but you must go back to Liverpool. Them's my terms, and if you don't humor me for the present,--why, you know what to look for." "Oh, I'm agreed," answered Dent, "I'll humor you now, and I'll humor you in the future. I suppose we can be married before the register. You don't want no church words over yer,--do you, Bet?" "No, not when I stand by _your side_," said Bet, shuddering. "Well, I'll do yer pleasure. I'll go now, and make inquiries, and enter our names to be wed as soon as may be. Liverpool 'ull suit me a deal better than this dull hole of a Warrington. Goodbye, my fine lady Bet--when next we meets, it 'ull be never to part." He kissed the tips of his fingers to her, and could not resist a laugh which sounded between mockery and triumph. As Dent turned away, Bet's attention was arrested by the girl called Jenny, who had been standing by during this colloquy, and plucked her by the sleeve. "Yer a rare 'un!" she said, in a tone of sincere admiration. "Don't you mate with him. He ain't fit for the likes of you. Break your word with him,--what's a lie or two?" "I hate lies," said Bet in a voice of scorn. "Let me be, Jenny--you're right in what you say of Isaac Dent; but he have my promise, and I ain't one as lies, ef it's only myself I have to think on." "Yer a rare 'un," repeated Jenny. She was small and squat, with a broad, freckled face, and light blue, saucer eyes. She looked up at the handsome girl by her side with the most sincere admiration. "Lor! you have the courage," she said. "I'll be proud to go a-hawking with you." Jenny's most commonplace appearance--her homely words--had a soothing effect on Bet. "I'll go with you presently. Jenny," she answered. "But now may I go to your room, and may I stay alone there--for--for--say an hour?"