"
The little house at which the two stopped was certainly humble-looking;
and the parson's study, in which they presently found themselves, was
poorly furnished, with a threadbare carpet, a sad dearth of books, and
a very feeble semblance of a fire. The curate, a thin, gray-haired
man, with a stoop, rose from his chair as the young couple came and
stood before him. Will was feeling intensely sheepish and uncomfortable;
but Bet, with the eagerness born of intense conviction, had no room
for self-consciousness.
"Ef you please, sir," she said, flinging aside her mother's shawl, and
speaking not only with her lips, but with her glowing cheeks and
sparkling, lovely eyes-"ef you please, sir, this is Will Scarlett,
and I'm-I'm Elizabeth Granger. Mother used to mind you when you
preached, sir; and she often comed to your church when she was strong
enough. We was to be wed at St. Giles', Will and me, come Thursday,
parson." Here she paused and gasped; and her eyes grew full of tears.
"Yes," said Mr.
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