'It all comes upon me at once, and I must settle one thing at a time.' 'At any rate, dear Lizzy, you can assure me that the miller shall not be allowed to speak to you except on business?
You have never directly encouraged him ?' She parried the question by saying, 'You see, he and his party have been in the habit of leaving things on my premises sometimes, and as I have not denied him, it makes him rather forward.' 'Things--what things ?' 'Tubs--they are called Things here.' 'But why don't you deny him, my dear Lizzy ?' 'I cannot well.' 'You are too timid.

It is unfair of him to impose so upon you, and get your good name into danger by his smuggling tricks.

Promise me that the next time he wants to leave his tubs here you will let me roll them into the street ?' She shook her head.

'I would not venture to offend the neighbours so much as that,' said she, 'or do anything that would be so likely to put poor Owlett into the hands of the excisemen.' Stockdale sighed, and said that he thought hers a mistaken generosity when it extended to assisting those who cheated the king of his dues.

'At any rate, you will let me make him keep his distance as your lover, and tell him flatly that you are not for him ?' 'Please not, at present,' she said.