andIamthinkingofgoingintothestableandhangingmyself；andperhapsit’sthebestthingIcando，forit’sbettertohangmyselfbeforesellingmysoulthanafterwards，asI’msureIshould，likeJudasIscariot，whommypoorniece，whoissomewhatreligiouslyinclined，hasbeentalkingtomeabout。""IwishIcouldassistyou，"saidI，"withmoney，butthatisquiteoutofmypower。However，Icangiveyouapieceofadvice。Don’tchangeyourreligionbyanymeans；youcan’thopetoprosperifyoudo；andifthebrewerchoosestodealhardlywithyou，lethim。Everybodywouldrespectyoutentimesmoreprovidedyouallowedyourselftobeturnedintotheroadsratherthanchangeyourreligion，thanifyougotfiftypoundsforrenouncingit。"
　　"Iamhalfinclinedtotakeyouradvice，"saidthelandlord，"only，totellyouthetruth，Ifeelquitelow，withoutanyheartinme。""Comeintothebar，"saidI，"andletushavesomethingtogether—youneednotbeafraidofmynotpayingforwhatIorder。"
　　Wewentintothebar—room，wherethelandlordandIdiscussedbetweenustwobottlesofstrongale，whichhesaidwerepartofthelastsixwhichhehadinhispossession。Atfirsthewishedtodrinksherry，butIbeggedhimtodonosuchthing，tellinghimthatsherrywoulddohimnogoodunderthepresentcircumstances；nor，indeed，tothebestofmybelief，underany，itbeingofallwinestheoneforwhichI
　　entertainedthemostcontempt。Thelandlordallowedhimselftobedissuaded，and，afteraglassortwoofale，confessedthatsherrywasasickly，disagreeabledrink，andthathehadmerelybeeninthehabitoftakingitfromanideahehadthatitwasgenteel。Whilstquaffingourbeverage，hegavemeanaccountofthevariousmortificationstowhichhehadoflatebeensubject，dwellingwithparticularbitternessontheconductofHunter，whohesaidcameeverynightandmouthedhim，andafterwardswentawaywithoutpayingforwhathehaddrankorsmoked，inwhichconducthewascloselyimitatedbyaclanoffellowswhoconstantlyattendedhim。
　　Afterspendingseveralhoursatthepublic—houseIdeparted，notforgettingtopayforthetwobottlesofale。Thelandlord，beforeIwent，shakingmebythehand，declaredthathehadnowmadeuphismindtosticktohisreligionatallhazards，themoreespeciallyashewasconvincedheshouldderivenogoodbygivingitup。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　PreparationsfortheFair—TheLastLesson—TheVerbSiriel。
　　ITmightbeaboutfiveintheevening，whenIreachedthegypsyencampment。HereIfoundMr。Petulengro，TawnoChikno，Sylvester，andothersinagreatbustle，clippingandtrimmingcertainponiesandoldhorseswhichtheyhadbroughtwiththem。OninquiringofJasperthereasonoftheirbeingsoengaged，heinformedmethattheyweregettingthehorsesreadyforafair，whichwastoheheldonthemorrow，ataplacesomemilesdistant，atwhichtheyshouldendeavourtodisposeofthem，adding—"Perhaps，brother，youwillgowithus，providedyouhavenothingbettertodo？"Nothavinganyparticularengagement，IassuredhimthatIshouldhavegreatpleasureinbeingoftheparty。Itwasagreedthatweshouldstartearlyonthefollowingmorning。ThereuponIdescendedintothedingle。Bellewassittingbeforethefire，atwhichthekettlewasboiling。"Wereyouwaitingforme？"I
　　inquired。"Yes，"saidBelle，"Ithoughtthatyouwouldcome，andIwaitedforyou。""Thatwasverykind，"saidI。"Nothalfsokind，"saidshe，"asitwasofyoutogeteverythingreadyformeinthedeadoflastnight，whentherewasscarcelyachanceofmycoming。"Thetea—thingswerebroughtforward，andwesatdown。"Haveyoubeenfar？"saidBelle。
　　"Merelytothatpublic—house，"saidI，"towhichyoudirectedmeontheseconddayofouracquaintance。""Youngmenshouldnotmakeahabitofvisitingpublic—houses，"saidBelle，"theyarebadplaces。""Theymaybesotosomepeople，"saidI，"butIdonotthinktheworstpublic—houseinEnglandcoulddomeanyharm。""Perhapsyouaresobadalready，"
　　saidBelle，withasmile，"thatitwouldbeimpossibletospoilyou。""Howdareyoucatchatmywords？"saidI；"come，Iwillmakeyoupayfordoingso—youshallhavethiseveningthelongestlessoninArmenianwhichIhaveyetinflicteduponyou。""Youmaywellsayinflicted，"saidBelle，"butprayspareme。IdonotwishtohearanythingaboutArmenian，especiallythisevening。""Whythisevening？"saidI。Bellemadenoanswer。"Iwillnotspareyou，"saidI；"thiseveningIintendtomakeyouconjugateanArmenianverb。""Well，beitso，"saidBelle；"forthiseveningyoushallcommand。""Tocommandishramahyel，"saidI。"Ramherill，indeed，"saidBelle；"Idonotwishtobeginwiththat。""No，"saidI，"aswehavecometotheverbs，wewillbeginregularly；hramahyelisaverbofthesecondconjugation。Wewillbeginwiththefirst。""Firstofalltellme，"saidBelle，"whataverbis？""Apartofspeech，"saidI，"which，accordingtothedictionary，signifiessomeactionorpassion；forexample，Icommandyou，orIhateyou。""Ihavegivenyounocausetohateme，"saidBelle，lookingmesorrowfullyintheface。
　　"Iwasmerelygivingtwoexamples，"saidI，"andneitherwasdirectedatyou。Inthoseexamples，tocommandandhateareverbs。Belle，inArmeniantherearefourconjugationsofverbs；thefirstendsinal，thesecondinyel，thethirdinoul，andthefourthinil。Now，haveyouunderstoodme？"
　　"Iamafraid，indeed，itwillallendill，"saidBelle。
　　"Holdyourtongue，"saidI，"oryouwillmakemelosemypatience。""Youhavealreadymademenearlylosemine，"saidBelle。"Letushavenounprofitableinterruptions，"saidI；
　　"theconjugationsoftheArmenianverbsareneithersonumerousnorsodifficultasthedeclensionsofthenouns；
　　hearthat，andrejoice。Come，wewillbeginwiththeverbhntal，averbofthefirstconjugation，whichsignifiestorejoice。Comealong；hntam，Irejoice；hntas，thourejoicest；whydon’tyoufollow，Belle？"
　　"IamsureIdon’trejoice，whateveryoumaydo，"saidBelle。
　　"Thechiefdifficulty，Belle，"saidI，"thatIfindinteachingyoutheArmeniangrammar，proceedsfromyourapplyingtoyourselfandmeeveryexampleIgive。Rejoice，inthisinstance，ismerelyanexampleofanArmenianverbofthefirstconjugation，andhasnomoretodowithyourrejoicingthanlal，whichis，alsoaverbofthefirstconjugation，andwhichsignifiestoweep，wouldhavetodowithyourweeping，providedImadeyouconjugateit。Comealong；hntam，Irejoice；hntas，thourejoicest；hnta，herejoices；hntamkwerejoice：now，repeatthosewords。"
　　"Ican’t，"saidBelle，"theysoundmorelikethelanguageofhorsesthanhumanbeings。Doyoutakemefor—？""Forwhat？"saidI。Bellewassilent。"Wereyougoingtosaymare？"saidI。"Mare！mare！bythebye，doyouknow，Belle，thatmareinoldEnglishstandsforwoman；andthatwhenwecallafemaleanevilmare，thestrictmeaningofthetermismerelyabadwoman。SoifIweretocallyouamarewithoutprefixingbad，youmustnotbeoffended。""ButIshouldthough，"saidBelle。"Iwasmerelyattemptingtomakeyouacquaintedwithaphilologicalfact，"saidI。"Ifmare，whichinoldEnglish，andlikewiseinvulgarEnglish，signifiesawoman，soundsthesameasmare，whichinmodernandpoliteEnglishsignifiesafemalehorse，Ican’thelpit。
　　ThereisnosuchconfusionofsoundsinArmenian，not，atleast，inthesameinstance。Belle，inArmenian，womanisghin，thesameword，bytheby，asourqueen，whereasmareismadaghtzi，whichsignifiesafemalehorse；andperhapsyouwillpermitmetoadd，thatahard—mouthedjadeis，inArmenian，madaghtzihsdierah。"
　　"Ican’tbearthismuchlonger，"saidBelle。"Keepyourselfquiet，"saidI；"Iwishtobegentlewithyou；andtoconvinceyou，wewillskiphntal，andalsoforthepresentverbsofthefirstconjugationandproceedtothesecond。
　　Belle，IwillnowselectforyoutoconjugatetheprettiestverbinArmenian；notonlyofthesecond，butalsoofallthefourconjugations；thatverbissiriel。Hereisthepresenttense：—siriem，siries，sire，siriemk，sirek，sirien。Youobservethatitrunsonjustinthesamemannerashntal，saveandexceptthattheeissubstitutedfora；anditwillbeaswelltotellyouthatalmosttheonlydifferencebetweenthesecond，third，andfourthconjugation，andthefirst，isthesubstitutinginthepresent，preteriteandothertenseseorou，orifora；soyouseethattheArmenianverbsarebynomeansdifficult。Comeon，Belle，andsaysiriem。"Bellehesitated。"Prayobligeme，Belle，bysayingsiriem！"Bellestillappearedtohesitate。"Youmustadmit，Belle，thatitismuchsofterthanhntam。""Itisso，"saidBelle；"andtoobligeyouIwillsaysiriem。"
　　"Verywellindeed，Belle，"saidI。"Novartabied，ordoctor，couldhavepronounceditbetter；andnow，toshowyouhowverbsactuponpronounsinArmenian，Iwillsaysiriemzkiez。
　　Pleasetorepeatsiriemzkiez！""Siriemzkiez！"saidBelle；
　　"thatlastwordisveryhardtosay。""Sorrythatyouthinkso，Belle，"saidI。"Nowpleasetosaysiriazis。"Belledidso。"Exceedinglywell，"saidI。"Nowsay，yeranithesireirzis。""Yeranithesireirzis，"saidBelle。
　　"Capital！"saidI；"youhavenowsaid，Iloveyou—loveme—
　　ah！wouldthatyouwouldloveme！"
　　"AndIhavesaidallthesethings？"saidBelle。"Yes，"saidI；"youhavesaidtheminArmenian。""IwouldhavesaidtheminnolanguagethatIunderstood，"saidBelle；"anditwasverywrongofyoutotakeadvantageofmyignorance，andmakemesaysuchthings。""Whyso？"saidI；"ifyousaidthem，I
　　saidthemtoo。""Youdidso，"saidBelle；"butIbelieveyouweremerelybanteringandjeering。""AsItoldyoubefore，Belle，"saidI，"thechiefdifficultywhichIfindinteachingyouArmenianproceedsfromyourpersistinginapplyingtoyourselfandmeeveryexampleIgive。""Thenyoumeantnothingafterall，"saidBelle，raisinghervoice。
　　"Letusproceed，"saidI；"sirietsi，Iloved。""Youneverlovedanyonebutyourself，"saidBelle；"andwhat’smore—"
　　"Sirietsits，Iwilllove，"saidI；"sirietsies，thouwiltlove。""Neveronesothoroughlyheartless，"saidBelle。"I
　　tellyouwhat，Belle，youarebecomingintolerable，butwewillchangetheverb；orratherIwillnowproceedtotellyouhere，thatsomeoftheArmenianconjugationshavetheiranomalies；onespeciesoftheseIwishtobringbeforeyournotice。AsoldVillottesays—fromwhoseworkIfirstcontrivedtopickuptherudimentsofArmenian—’Estverborumtransitivorum，quoruminfinitivus—’butIforgot，youdon’tunderstandLatin。Hesaystherearecertaintransitiveverbs，whoseinfinitiveisinoutsaniel；thepreteriteinoutsi；theimperativeinone；forexample—
　　parghatsout—saniem，Iirritate—"
　　"Youdo，youdo，"saidBelle；"anditwillbebetterforbothofus，ifyouleaveoffdoingso。"
　　"Youwouldhardlybelieve，Belle，"saidI，"thattheArmenianisinsomerespectscloselyconnectedwiththeIrish，butsoitis；forexample，thatwordparghatsout—saniemisevidentlyderivedfromthesamerootasfeargaim，which，inIrish，isasmuchastosayIvex。"
　　"Youdo，indeed，"saidBelle，sobbing。
　　"Buthowdoyouaccountforit？"
　　"Oman，man！"saidBelle，burstingintotears，"forwhatpurposedoyouaskapoorignorantgirlsuchaquestion，unlessitbetovexandirritateher？Ifyouwishtodisplayyourlearning，dosotothewiseandinstructed，andnottome，whocanscarcelyreadorwrite。Oh，leaveoffyournonsense；yetIknowyouwillnotdoso，foritisthebreathofyournostrils！Icouldhavewishedweshouldhavepartedinkindness，butyouwillnotpermitit。Ihavedeservedbetteratyourhandsthansuchtreatment。Thewholetimewehavekeptcompanytogetherinthisplace，Ihavescarcelyhadonekindwordfromyou，butthestrangest—"andherethevoiceofBellewasdrownedinhersobs。
　　"Iamsorrytoseeyoutakeonso，dearBelle，"saidI。"I
　　reallyhavegivenyounocausetobesounhappy；surelyteachingyoualittleArmenianwasaveryinnocentkindofdiversion。"
　　"Yes，butyouwentonsolong，andinsuchastrangeway，andmademerepeatsuchstrangeexamples，asyoucallthem，thatIcouldnotbearit。"
　　"Why，totellyouthetruth，Belle，it’sjustmyway；andI
　　havedealtwithyoujustasIwouldwith—"
　　"Ahard—mouthedjade，"saidBelle，"andyoupractisingyourhorse—witcheryuponher。Ihavebeenofanunsubduedspirit，Iacknowledge，butIwasalwayskindtoyou；andifyouhavemademecry，it’sapoorthingtoboastof。"
　　"Boastof！"saidI；"aprettythingindeedtoboastof；Ihadnoideaofmakingyoucry。Come，Ibegyourpardon；whatmorecanIdo？Come，cheerup，Belle。Youweretalkingofparting；don’tletuspart，butdepart，andthattogether。"
　　"Ourwaysliedifferent，"saidBelle。
　　"Idon’tseewhytheyshould，"saidI。"Come，letusheofftoAmericatogether。"
　　"ToAmericatogether？"saidBelle，lookingfullatme。
　　"Yes，"saidI；"wherewewillsettledowninsomeforest，andconjugatetheverbsirielconjugally。"
　　"Conjugally？"saidBelle。
　　"Yes，"saidI；"asmanandwifeinAmerica，airyewghin。"
　　"Youarejesting，asusual，"saidBelle。
　　"NotI，indeed。Come，Belle，makeupyourmind，andletusbeofftoAmerica；andleavepriests，humbug，learning，andlanguagesbehindus。"
　　"Idon’tthinkyouarejesting，"saidBelle；"butIcanhardlyentertainyouroffers；however，youngman，Ithankyou。"
　　"Youhadbettermakeupyourmindatonce，"saidI，"andletusbeoff。Ishan’tmakeabadhusband，Iassureyou。
　　PerhapsyouthinkIamnotworthyofyou？Toconvinceyou，Belle，thatIam，Iamreadytotryafallwithyouthismomentuponthegrass。Brynhilda，thevalkyrie，sworethatnooneshouldevermarryherwhocouldnotflingherdown。
　　Perhapsyouhavedonethesame。Themanwhoeventuallymarriedher，gotafriendofhis，whowascalledSygurd，theserpent—killer，towrestlewithher，disguisinghiminhisownarmour。Sygurdflungherdown，andwonherforhisfriend，thoughhelovedherhimself。Ishallnotuseasimilardeceit，noremployJasperPetulengrotopersonateme—sogetup，Belle，andIwilldomybesttoflingyoudown。"
　　"Irequirenosuchthingofyou，oranybody，"saidBelle；
　　"youarebeginningtolookratherwild。"
　　"Ieverynowandthendo，"saidI；"come，Belle，whatdoyousay？"
　　"Iwillsaynothingatpresentonthesubject，"saidBelle，"Imusthavetimetoconsider。"
　　"Justasyouplease，"saidI，"to—morrowIgotoafairwithMr。Petulengro，perhapsyouwillconsiderwhilstIamaway。
　　Come，Belle，letushavesomemoretea。IwonderwhetherweshallbeabletoprocureteaasgoodasthisintheAmericanforest。"
　　CHAPTERXV
　　TheDawnofDay—TheLastFarewell—DeparturefortheFair—TheFineHorse—ReturntotheDingle—NoIsopel。
　　ITwasaboutthedawnofdaywhenIwasawakenedbythevoiceofMr。Petulengroshoutingfromthetopofthedingle，andbiddingmegetup。Iaroseinstantly，anddressedmyselffortheexpeditiontothefair。Onleavingmytent，IwassurprisedtoobserveBelle，entirelydressed，standingclosetoherownlittleencampment。"Dearme，"saidI，"Ilittleexpectedtofindyouupsoearly。IsupposeJasper’scallawakenedyou，asitdidme。""Imerelylaydowninmythings，"saidBelle，"andhavenotsleptduringthenight。"
　　"Andwhydidyounottakeoffyourthingsandgotosleep？"
　　saidI。"Ididnotundress，"saidBelle，"becauseIwishedtobeinreadinesstobidyoufarewellwhenyoudeparted；andasforsleeping，Icouldnot。""Well，Godblessyou！"saidI，takingBellebythehand。Bellemadenoanswer，andI
　　observedthatherhandwasverycold。"Whatisthematterwithyou？"saidI，lookingherintheface。Bellelookedatmeforamomentintheeyes—andthencastdownherown—
　　herfeatureswereverypale。"Youarereallyunwell，"saidI，"Ihadbetternotgotothefair，butstayhere，andtakecareofyou。""No，"saidBelle，"praygo，Iamnotunwell。"
　　"Thengotoyourtent，"saidI，"anddonotendangeryourhealthbystandingabroadintherawmorningair。Godblessyou，Belle。Ishallbehometo—night，bywhichtimeIexpectyouwillhavemadeupyourmind；ifnot，anotherlessoninArmenian，howeverlatethehourbe。"IthenwrungBelle’shand，andascendedtotheplainabove。
　　IfoundtheRomanypartywaitingforme，andeverythinginreadinessfordeparting。Mr。PetulengroandTawnoChiknoweremountedontwooldhorses。Therest，whointendedtogotothefair，amongstwhomweretwoorthreewomen，wereonfoot。Onarrivingattheextremityoftheplain，Ilookedtowardsthedingle。IsopelBernersstoodatthemouth，thebeamsoftheearlymorningsunshonefullonhernoblefaceandfigure。Iwavedmyhandtowardsher。Sheslowlyliftedupherrightarm。Iturnedaway，andneversawIsopelBernersagain。
　　Mycompanionsandmyselfproceededonourway。Inabouttwohourswereachedtheplacewherethefairwastobeheld。
　　Afterbreakfastingonbreadandcheeseandalebehindabrokenstonewall，wedroveouranimalstothefair。Thefairwasacommoncattleandhorsefair：therewaslittlemerrimentgoingon，buttherewasnolackofbusiness。Byabouttwoo’clockintheafternoon，Mr。Petulengroandhispeoplehaddisposedoftheiranimalsatwhattheyconceivedveryfairprices—theywereallinhighspirits，andJasperproposedtoadjourntoapublic—house。Aswewereproceedingtoone，averyfinehorse，ledbyajockey，madeitsappearanceontheground。Mr。Petulengrostoppedshort，andlookedatitstedfastly："Finocovardoveodoysasmiro—afinethingwerethatifitwerebutmine！"heexclaimed。"Ifyoucovetit，"saidI，"whydoyounotpurchaseit？""Welow’Gyptiansneverbuyanimalsofthatdescription；ifwedidwecouldneversellthem，andmostlikelyshouldbehadupashorse—stealers。""Thenwhydidyousayjustnow，’Itwereafinethingifitwerebutyours？’"saidI。"We’Gyptiansalwayssaysowhenweseeanythingthatweadmire。Ananimallikethatisnotintendedforalittleharelikeme，butforsomegrandgentlemanlikeyourself。Isay，brother，doyoubuythathorse！""HowshouldIbuythehorse，youfoolishperson？"saidI。"Buythehorse，brother，"saidMr。
　　Petulengro，"ifyouhavenotthemoneyIcanlendityou，thoughIbeoflowerEgypt。""Youtalknonsense，"saidI；
　　"however，Iwishyouwouldaskthemanthepriceofit。"
　　Mr。Petulengro，goinguptothejockey，inquiredthepriceofthehorse—theman，lookingathimscornfully，madenoreply。"Youngman，"saidI，goinguptothejockey，"domethefavourtotellmethepriceofthathorse，asIsupposeitistosell。"Thejockey，whowasasurly—lookingman，ofaboutfifty，lookedatmeforamoment，then，aftersomehesitation，said，laconically，"Seventy。""Thankyou，"saidI，andturnedaway。"Buythathorse，"saidMr。Petulengro，comingafterme；"thedooktellsmethatinlessthanthreemonthshewillbesoldfortwiceseventy。""Iwillhavenothingtodowithhim，"saidI；"besides，Jasper，Idon’tlikehistail。Didyouobservewhatameanscrubbytailhehas？""Whatafoolyouare，brother，"saidMr。Petulengro；
　　"thatverytailofhisshowshisbreeding。Nogoodbredhorseeveryetcarriedafinetail—’tisyourscrubby—tailedhorsesthatareyourout—and—outers。DidyoueverhearofSyntax，brother？ThattailofhisputsmeinmindofSyntax。
　　Well，Isaynothingmore，haveyourownway—allIwonderatis，thatahorselikehimwaseverbroughttosuchafairofdogcattleasthis。"
　　Wethenmadethebestofourwaytoapublic—house，wherewehadsomerefreshment。Ithenproposedreturningtotheencampment，butMr。Petulengrodeclined，andremaineddrinkingwithhiscompanionstillaboutsixo’clockintheevening，whenvariousjockeysfromthefaircamein。Aftersomeconversationajockeyproposedagameofcards；andinalittletime，Mr。Petulengroandanothergypsysatdowntoplayagameofcardswithtwoofthejockeys。
　　Thoughnotmuchacquaintedwithcards，IsoonconceivedasuspicionthatthejockeyswerecheatingMr。Petulengroandhiscompanion，IthereforecalledMr。Petulengroaside，andgavehimahinttothateffect。Mr。Petulengro，however，insteadofthankingme，toldmetomindmyownbreadandbutter，andforthwithreturnedtohisgame。Icontinuedwatchingtheplayersforsomehours。Thegypsieslostconsiderably，andIsawclearlythatthejockeyswerecheatingthemmostconfoundedly。IthereforeoncemorecalledMr。Petulengroaside，andtoldhimthatthejockeyswerecheatinghim，conjuringhimtoreturntotheencampment。
　　Mr。Petulengro，whowasbythistimesomewhattheworseforliquor，nowfellintoapassion，sworeseveraloaths，andaskingmewhohadmademeaMosesoverhimandhisbrethren，toldmetoreturntotheencampmentbymyself。Incensedattheunworthyreturnwhichmywell—meantwordshadreceived，I
　　forthwithleftthehouse，andhavingpurchasedafewarticlesofprovision，Isetoutforthedinglealone。ItwasadarknightwhenIreachedit，anddescendingIsawtheglimmerofafirefromthedepthsofthedingle；myheartbeatwithfondanticipationofawelcome。"IsopelBernersiswaitingforme，"saidI，"andthefirstwordsthatIshallhearfromherlipsisthatshehasmadeuphermind。WeshallgotoAmerica，andbesohappytogether。"Onreachingthebottomofthedingle，however，Isawseatednearthefire，besidewhichstoodthekettlesimmering，notIsopelBerners，butagypsygirl，whotoldmethatMissBernerswhenshewentawayhadchargedhertokeepupthefire，andhavethekettleboilingagainstmyarrival。Startledatthesewords，I
　　inquiredatwhathourIsopelhadleft，andwhithershewasgone，andwastoldthatshehadleftthedingle，withhercart，abouttwohoursafterIdeparted；butwhereshewasgoneshe，thegirl，didnotknow。Ithenaskedwhethershehadleftnomessage，andthegirlrepliedthatshehadleftnone，buthadmerelygivendirectionsaboutthekettleandfire，putting，atthesametime，six—penceintoherhand。
　　"Verystrange，"thoughtI；thendismissingthegypsygirlI
　　satdownbythefire。Ihadnowishfortea，butsatlookingontheembers，wonderingwhatcouldbethemotiveofthesuddendepartureofIsopel。"Doesshemeantoreturn？"
　　thoughtItomyself。"Surelyshemeanstoreturn，"Hopereplied，"orshewouldnothavegoneawaywithoutleavinganymessage"—"andyetshecouldscarcelymeantoreturn，"
　　mutteredForeboding，"orsheassuredlywouldhaveleftsomemessagewiththegirl。"Ithenthoughttomyselfwhatahardthingitwouldbe，if，afterhavingmadeupmymindtoassumetheyokeofmatrimony，Ishouldbedisappointedofthewomanofmychoice。"Well，afterall，"thoughtI，"Icanscarcelybedisappointed；ifsuchanuglyscoundrelasSylvesterhadnodifficultyingettingsuchanicewifeasUrsula，surelyI，whoamnotatenthpartsougly，cannotfailtoobtainthehandofIsopelBerners，uncommonlyfinedamselthoughshebe。
　　Husbandsdonotgrowuponhedgerows；sheismerelygoneafteralittlebusinessandwillreturnto—morrow。"
　　Comfortedinsomedegreebythesehopefulimaginings，I
　　retiredtomytent，andwenttosleep。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　GloomyForebodings—ThePostman’sMother—TheLetter—
　　BearsandBarons—TheBestofAdvice。
　　NOTHINGoccurredtomeofanyparticularmomentduringthefollowingday。IsopelBernersdidnotreturn；butMr。
　　Petulengroandhiscompanionscamehomefromthefairearlyinthemorning。WhenIsawhim，whichwasaboutmidday，I
　　foundhimwithhisfacebruisedandswelled。Itappearedthat，sometimeafterIhadlefthim，hehimselfperceivedthatthejockeyswithwhomhewasplayingcardswerecheatinghimandhiscompanion；aquarrelensued，whichterminatedinafightbetweenMr。Petulengroandoneofthejockeys，whichlastedsometime，andinwhichMr。Petulengro，thoughheeventuallycameoffvictor，wasconsiderablybeaten。Hisbruises，inconjunctionwithhispecuniaryloss，whichamountedtoaboutsevenpounds，werethecauseofhisbeingmuchoutofhumour；beforenight，however，hehadreturnedtohisusualphilosophicframeofmind，and，cominguptomeasIwaswalkingabout，apologizedforhisbehaviourontheprecedingday，andassuredmethathewasdetermined，fromthattimeforward，nevertoquarrelwithafriendforgivinghimgoodadvice。
　　Twomoredayspassed，andstillIsopelBernersdidnotreturn。Gloomythoughtsandforebodingsfilledmymind。
　　DuringthedayIwanderedabouttheneighbouringroadsinthehopesofcatchinganearlyglimpseofherandherreturningvehicle；andatnightlayawake，tossingaboutonmyhardcouch，listeningtotherustleofeveryleaf，andoccasionallythinkingthatIheardthesoundofherwheelsuponthedistantroad。Onceatmidnight，justasIwasabouttofallintounconsciousness，Isuddenlystartedup，forI
　　wasconvincedthatIheardthesoundofwheels。Ilistenedmostanxiously，andthesoundofwheelsstrikingagainststoneswascertainlyplainenough。"Shecomesatlast，"