through this moment, the hard-hearted--"

"No, no, no!" cried William; "don't think it, George; I know what
'tis--I'll tell ye."

"What's it?"

"Well, it is--well, George, it is Tom Clarke and Esther Borgherst
married to-day. Only they couldn't have the ringers till the
afternoon."

"Why, Will, they have only kept company a year, and Susan and I have
kept company three years; and Tom and Esther are married to-day; and
what are George and Susan doing to-day? God help me! Oh, God help me!
What _shall_ I do? what _shall_ I do?" And the stout heart gave
way, and George Fielding covered his face with his hands and burst out
sobbing and crying.

Susan flung her arms round his neck. "Oh! George, my pride is all
gone; don't go, don't think to go; have pity on us both, and don't
go." And she clung to him--her bonnet fallen off, her hair
disheveled--and they sobbed and wept in one another's arms.

Meadows writhed with the jealous anguish this sad sight gave him, and
at that moment he could have cursed the whole creation. He tried to
fly, but he was rooted to the spot. He leaned sick as death against
the palings.

George and Susan cried together, and then they wiped one another's
eyes like simple country folk with one pocket-handkerchief; and then