"
"But we can't, Bet. I'd like to--it could never be a minute too soon
for me--but the license ain't due to me afore to-morrow, and Thursday
is fixed up at St. Giles' Church for the parson to wed us. Thursday
is not so _very_ far off, sweetheart. Why, I expect it seems longer to
me than to you, Bet, for I ha' loved you, as Jacob did Rachel,
for many a long year. What's two days when you ha' waited years?"
concluded Will, and he put his arm round Bet and tried to get her to
rest her head on his shoulder.
She almost pushed his strong arm away.
"You don't understand," she said. "It's to-night or it's never--it's
you and me to go away to-night in the darkness, and hide ourselves for
a bit, and let the wicked do their worst--or it's you and me to be
parted, Will, and me to be hungering for you, and you for me--allays
and allays."
Here Bet related what Mother Bunch had told her--that there was a plot
brewing, and how her father and Isaac Dent meant to ruin her and Will.
She told her story with great excitement and emphasis--her eyes
flashing, and the color coming and going in her cheeks.
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