adroitly, indeed, as to ask her "whether she would like to marry
John Hayes?"), that young woman had replied, "No. She had loved
John Hayes--he had been her early, only love; but she was fallen
now, and not good enough for him." And this made the Dobbs family
admire her more and more, and cast about for means to bring the
marriage to pass.

Hayes was away from the village when Mrs. Cat had arrived there; but
he did not fail to hear of her illness, and how her aunt had
deserted her, and the good Doctor taken her in. The worthy Doctor
himself met Mr. Hayes on the green; and, telling him that some
repairs were wanting in his kitchen begged him to step in and
examine them. Hayes first said no, plump, and then no, gently; and
then pished, and then psha'd; and then, trembling very much, went
in: and there sat Mrs. Catherine, trembling very much too.

What passed between them? If your Ladyship is anxious to know,
think of that morning when Sir John himself popped the question.
Could there be anything more stupid than the conversation which took
place? Such stuff is not worth repeating: no, not when uttered by
people in the very genteelest of company; as for the amorous
dialogue of a carpenter and an ex-barmaid, it is worse still.
Suffice it to say, that Mr. Hayes, who had had a year to recover
from his passion, and had, to all appearances, quelled it, was over
head and ears again the very moment he saw Mrs. Cat, and had all his
work to do again.

Whether the Doctor knew what was going on, I can't say; but this
matter is certain, that every evening Hayes was now in the rectory
kitchen, or else walking abroad with Mrs. Catherine: and whether