"Only to think--she's run away with a young lord," said Bramble. "So it seems," replied Bessy. "I'm sorry for poor Tom, for he feels it severely." "I'm not sorry," rejoined Bramble; "she wasn't deserving of him; and, Bessy, I'm glad for your sake." "Don't say that, father; Tom will never think of me, nor do I care about him." "I don't exactly believe that, Bessy, for all you say so. It's my wish, and you know it, Bessy, to see you and Tom spliced before I die; and I thank Heaven, that this false girl is out of the way--I've more hopes now." "Marriages are made in heaven, father," replied Bessy; "so, pray don't say anything more about it. It will be time enough for me to think of Tom when Tom appears to think of me. I shall always love him as a brother." "Well, God's will be done! We must now try and console him, poor fellow: and I'm very glad that we're off to-morrow. Salt water cures love, they say, sooner than anything else." "It may, perhaps," replied Bessy; "but I feel that if I were once really in love the whole ocean itself could not wash my love out. However, women are not men." "That's true. You hug your love as you do your babies, all day long, and never tire. Now, you see, a man gets tired of nursing in no time;-- I never was in love but once." "Oh, father, I've heard that story so often." "Well, then, you shan't hear it again. Now, I'll go out and see where Tom may be. I suppose he's looking at the wind, and thinking how it changes like a woman. But I'll light my pipe first." "Do, father; and while Tom looks at the wind and thinks of women, do you just watch the smoke out of your pipe, and think of men and their constancy." "Well, I will, if it pleases you. Put the letter by, Bessy, for I shouldn't like Tom to see it. What have you got for dinner?" "I left that to Mrs Maddox, so I can't tell. But there's cold pudding in the larder; I'll put it out for Tom." "Nay, Bessy, you must not jest with him." "Am I likely, think you, father?" replied Bessy; "can't I feel for him?" "Come, come, dearest, I didn't mean to make you cry." "I'm not crying, but I'm very sorry for Tom, and that's the truth. Now go away with your pipe, and leave me alone." It was impossible for me to have returned without being perceived, and I therefore remained during the whole of this conversation. I was annoyed to discover that they knew my secret; and still more vexed at the remainder of this colloquy, by which I discovered that Bramble had so completely set his heart upon an union between me and Bessy, which I considered as impossible. I felt, as all do at the time, as if I never could love again. I walked away, and did not return home till dinner-time. Bramble and Bessy were very kind, although they did not talk much; and when I went away the next day I was moved with the affectionate farewell of the latter.