"Ay," said she, "and like to be." "Waiting for the master still? Mayhap I could cure you of that complaint. But least said is soonest mended." This mysterious hint showed Ryder he had a secret burning his bosom. The sly hussy said nothing just then, but plied him with ale and flattery; and, when he whispered a request for a private meeting out of doors, she cast her eyes down, and assented. And in that meeting she carried herself so adroitly, that he renewed his offer of marriage, and told her not to waste her fancy on a man who cared neither for her nor any other she in Cumberland. "Prove that to me," said Ryder, cunningly, "and may be I'll take you at your word." The bribe was not to be resisted. Tom revealed to her, under a solemn promise of secrecy, that the Squire had got a wife and child in Lancashire; and had a farm and an inn, which latter he kept, under the name of Thomas Leicester. In short, he told her, in his way, all the particulars I have told in mine. She led him on with a voice of very velvet. He did not see how her cheek paled and her eyes flashed jealous fury. When she had sucked him dry, she suddenly turned on him, with a cold voice, and said, "I can't stay any longer with you just now. She will want me." "You will meet me here again, lass?" said Tom, ruefully. "Yes, for a minute, after supper." She then left him and went to Mrs. Gaunt's room, and sat crouching before the fire, all hate and bitterness. What? he had left the wife he loved, and yet had not turned to her! She sat there, waiting for Mrs. Gaunt, and nursing her vindictive fury, two mortal hours. At last, just before supper, Mrs. Gaunt came up to her room, to cool her fevered hands and brow, and found this creature crouched by her fire, all in a heap, with pale cheek, and black eyes that glittered like basilisk's. "What is the matter, child?" said Mrs. Gaunt. "Good Heavens! what hath happened?" "Dame!" said Ryder, sternly, "I have got news of him." "News of him?" faltered Mrs. Gaunt. "Bad news?" "I don't know whether to tell you or not," said Ryder, sulkily, but with a touch of human feeling. "What cannot I bear? What have I not borne? Tell me the truth." The words were stout, but she trembled all over in uttering them. "Well, it is as I said; only worse. Dame, he has got a wife and child in another county; and no doubt been deceiving her, as he has us." "A wife!" gasped Mrs. Gaunt, and one white hand clutched her bosom, and the other the mantelpiece. "Ay, Thomas Leicester, that is in the kitchen now, saw her, and saw his picture hanging aside hers on the wall. And he goes by the name of Thomas Leicester: that was what made Tom go into the inn, seeing his own name on the sign-board. Nay, Dame, never give way like that, lean on me; so. He is a villain, a false, jealous, double-faced villain." Mrs. Gaunt's head fell on Ryder's shoulder, and she said no word; but only moaned and moaned, and her white teeth clicked convulsively together.