"Ah--don't talk of it!" she cried fiercely. "No man's ever kissed me
so before--on the mouth--"

"Thank heaven!" said I.

"I hate ye for it and her most of all!"

"'Her', Diana? Whom do you mean?"

"Your fine lady aunt!"

"But, good heaven! What had my aunt Julia to do with it?"

"I don't care! I hate her--with her great, proud eyes and haughty
ways--and offering me money an' all--"

"Yes," said I, "it was wrong of her to attempt to bribe you--"

"You did as much once--only it was your watch, so don't you talk! I
suppose my lady thinks I'm after you for your money. Oh, I wish t' God
I'd never seen you! And I shan't much longer--"

"Ah, do you mean that you will attempt to run away?" I demanded. But
Diana merely stared sullenly at the road before us. "This would be
very, very wrong, Diana, very cruel and very wicked because, according
to the laws of the Folk, you are already my wife."

"But not according to the Church. You said so--an' you ain't of the
Folk!"