This I will say, those who befriended Mr. Wesley seemed very steady folks. They used no bad language, neither were they mad with drink as many of the others were. I did not pay as much heed to the state of the town as I might have paid under other circumstances, for I cared for little but the sight of Naomi's face, while to hear her voice I felt I would give anything. Now as I walked disconsolately along the street, finding my way among the crowd that grew greater and greater, I stopped outside a linen-draper's shop, which was kept by one Humphry Bolitho, and to my great joy I saw Naomi coming therefrom. By her side was Emily Tresidder, and I was wondering how I could speak to my love, when the woman in the shop called Richard Tresidder's daughter back just as Naomi's eyes met mine. She gave no start of surprise at seeing me, so that even then I was sure that the Tresidders knew of my return, but she seemed, I thought, in doubt as to whether she should speak to me. But I had found my opportunity, and I determined not to be baulked in my purpose, especially as Emily Tresidder had gone back into the shop again. And yet at that moment I knew not what was fitting to say, for my heart seemed in my mouth, and every inch of my body quivered with a strange joy. "Miss Naomi," I stammered, hardly knowing the words that came from my mouth, "thank you for what you did months ago. I loved you then, I love you a thousand times more now." I saw the blood mount to her brow, and for a moment I could not tell whether she was angry or no. She looked anxiously back into the shop, then up and down the street. "You are in danger here," she said. "I care not, now I see you," I cried. "I have done nothing wrong, except that I am doing wrong in loving you. I have not won back Pennington yet, but I will do it, God helping, I will, if--if you will give me just one word of promise." I spoke in a low tone so that no one could hear, and indeed the crowd seemed too much bent on other things to notice me. "It is no use," she said--"it is no use. Do not try any more, it is hopeless." "I shall never give up hope," I said. "Even now my guardian is seeking to do you harm," she cried. "This I know." "I am not afraid of him," I cried. "You know what I told you--that night--last November. You did not scorn me then. I hoped then that some day you might care for me; it is my hope still." "It is no use," she cried again, looking anxiously around her--"it is no use. I am to be married to Nick Tresidder; at least they all want me to marry him." "No!" I cried. "No!" "I cannot help myself," she said, piteously. "Do you love him?" I asked. "No," she said, again looking eagerly around. "Then!" I cried, "you shall not marry him. I will keep you from that, even if I found you by his side at the church communion-rails." Then my heart jumped for joy, for I saw a look of gladness flash into her eyes.