If he says, marry now, so much the better.

If not, say that all may be put right by his promise to allow me to have you when I am good enough for you--which may be soon.

Say I have nothing to offer him in exchange for his treasure--the more sorry I; but all the love, and all the life, and all the labour of an honest man shall be yours.

As to when this had better be told, I leave you to judge.' His words made her cheerful enough to toy with her position.
'And if ill report should come, Stephen,' she said smiling, 'why, the orange-tree must save me, as it saved virgins in St.George's time from the poisonous breath of the dragon.

There, forgive me for forwardness: I am going.' Then the boy and girl beguiled themselves with words of half-parting only.
'Own wifie, God bless you till we meet again!' 'Till we meet again, good-bye!' And the pony went on, and she spoke to him no more.