to church, for it was a Sunday morning; and there was Mary Middleton, and Bob Middleton, and Job Lake, and I—and Mary was dressed out in a fine new bonnet with sky blue ribbons that Remorden had given her; and Bob was sulky about it, and so was Job, for he had a mind to her himself—and when we were going through the meadow by the mill stream, Mary called out 'La! what's that in the water? I do think it's a woman!' and sure enough, when they pulled her out, who should it be but Judith Lake. But that didn't keep Mary from going the same road. We soon missed her from the village, and Bob saw her in London, where he went to seek her, dressed out like a duchess, sitting in a play-house with Remorden. Bob waited for him till he came out; and then what did he do but fetch him a blow across the face that broke his nose and laid him his length on the pavement—but Mary wouldn't leave him for all Bob could say to her, and we heard she died at last upon the streets. But the Squire'll carry Bob's mark with him to the grave. Na, na, the family never had no luck after they took the water from us—serve 'em right, I say, devil help 'em!" and with this charitable conclusion the conclave broke up.
