she ran away with him, or he with her, I shall not make it my
business to inquire; but certainly at the end of three months (which
must be crowded up into this one little sentence), another elopement
took place in the village. "I should have prevented it, certainly,"
said Doctor Dobbs--whereat his wife smiled; "but the young people
kept the matter a secret from me." And so he would, had he known
it; but though Mrs. Dobbs had made several attempts to acquaint him
with the precise hour and method of the intended elopement, he
peremptorily ordered her to hold her tongue. The fact is, that the
matter had been discussed by the rector's lady many times. "Young
Hayes," would she say "has a pretty little fortune and trade of his
own; he is an only son, and may marry as he likes; and, though not
specially handsome, generous, or amiable, has an undeniable love for
Cat (who, you know, must not be particular), and the sooner she
marries him, I think, the better. They can't be married at our
church you know, and--" "Well," said the Doctor, "if they are
married elsewhere, I can't help it, and know nothing about it, look
you." And upon this hint the elopement took place: which, indeed,
was peaceably performed early one Sunday morning about a month
after; Mrs. Hall getting behind Mr. Hayes on a pillion, and all the
children of the parsonage giggling behind the window-blinds to see
the pair go off.

During this month Mr. Hayes had caused the banns to be published at
the town of Worcester; judging rightly that in a great town they
would cause no such remark as in a solitary village, and thither he
conducted his lady. O ill-starred John Hayes! whither do the dark
Fates lead you? O foolish Doctor Dobbs, to forget that young people
ought to honour their parents, and to yield to silly Mrs. Dobbs's
ardent propensity for making matches!