Christian winced. Then assuming afresh his loftier manner, "As I say, Mona, we won't talk of things you don't understand." "I'll not go back!" said the girl, as if by a leap of thought. The loom was started afresh with vigor. "Then let me beg of you to be secret," whispered Christian, coming close to her ear. The girl laughed bitterly. "Never fear," she said, "it's not for the woman to blab. No, the world is all for the man, and the law too. Men make the laws and women suffer under them--that's the way of it." The girl laughed again, and continued in mocking tones, "'Poor fellow, he's been sorely tempted,' says the world; 'tut on her, never name her,' says the law." And once more the girl forced a hollow, bitter laugh. Just then a child's silvery voice was heard in the street beneath. The blithe call was-- "Sweet violets and primroses the sweetest." The little feet tripped under the window. The loom stopped, and they listened. Then Christian looked into the young woman's face, and blinding tears rose on the instant into the eyes of both. "Mona!" he cried, in low passionate tones, and opened his arms. There was an unspeakable language in her face. She turned her head toward him longingly, yearningly, with heaving breast. He took one step toward her. She drew back. "No--not yet!" His arms fell, and he turned away. * * * * * Then the voice of Kerruish Kinvig could be heard in the outer factory. "I've been middling long," he said, hurrying in, "but a man, a bailiff from England, came bothering about some young waistrel that I never heard of in my born days--had run away from his debts, and so on--had been traced to the Isle of Man, and on here to Peel. And think of that tomfool of a Tommy-Bill-beg sending the man to me. I bowled him off to your father." "My father!" exclaimed Christian, who had listened to Kinvig's rambling account with an uneasy manner. "Yes, surely, and the likeliest man too. What's a magistrate for at all if private people are to be moidered like yonder? But come, I'll show you the sweet action of this loom in unwinding. Look now--see--keep your eye on those hooks." And Kerruish Kinvig rattled on with his explanation to a deaf ear. "Mr. Kinvig," interrupted Christian, "I happened to know that father is not risen yet this morning. That bailiff--" "More shame for him; let him be roused anyhow. See here, though, press your hand on that level--so. Now when Mona puts down that other level--do you see? No! Why don't you look closer?" "Mr. Kinvig, do you know I half fancy that young fellow the man was asking for must have been an old college chum of mine. If you wouldn't mind sending one of your girls after him to Balladhoo to ask him to meet me in half an hour at the harbor-master's cottage on the quay--" "Here! Let it be here;" calling "Jane!" "No, let it be on the quay," said Christian; "I have to go there presently, and it will save time, you know."