"And cheerful, I suppose."
"Yes, cheerful."
"Fearful, did you say?"
"Oh no. I merely said she was cheerful."
"Tells you all her affairs?"
"No, sir."
"Some of them?"
"Yes, sir."
"Mrs. Troy puts much confidence in you, Lydia; and very wisely, perhaps."
"She do, sir. I've been with her all through her troubles, and was with her at the time of Mr. Troy's death and all. And if she were to marry again I expect I should bide with her."
"She promises that you shall—quite natural," said the strategic lover, throbbing throughout him at the presumption which Liddy's words appeared to warrant―that his darling had thought of remarriage.
"No—she doesn't promise it exactly. I merely judge on my own account."
"Yes, yes, I understand. When she alludes to the possibility of marrying again, you conclude———"
"She never do allude to it, sir," said Liddy, thinking how very stupid Mr. Boldwood was getting.
"Of course not," he returned hastily, his hope falling again. "You needn't take quite such long
