"I'll be there in a minute, Isa, and the cracked pitcher's by the well, isn't it?"
"Yes," Isa replied; "and I'll leave a lighted candle for you, the ile is pretty low in the lamp. Good night, child, and don't fuss. I never saw fussing hurt any one but the fusser."
Joyce rose stiffly and stood by the open door. She stretched her limbs and winced at the pain in them. Then she clasped her aching hands above her head and permitted her tired spirit one long, heavy sigh.
She stood for some time in that relieved state. The chill of the deepening night soothed her, and the late new moon looked down through the pines at her--then she turned sharply. Some one was near!
Her startled glance fell upon Jude Lauzoon. He was crouching upon the step of the porch.
"I thought you was sleeping, standing up," he whispered hoarsely. "I didn't want to scare you none."
"Why are you here?" Joyce's heart fluttered. Had he heard all?
"Where else should I be--to--to--" she looked at him appealingly, "to get ready to be married?"
Jude was master of the situation in a way Joyce did not know. He could afford to be condescendingly gracious. He, of all who had taken part in this poor little drama, now held the centre of the stage, and the knowledge gave him a certain manliness highly becoming.
"Stay here until we get married--is that it?"
Jude felt a pity for her that would have been contempt had not her beauty and charm mastered him. He was going to clutch her once and for all, but he was willing to let her see that he only meant, since he must have her, to clutch close enough to bind her to him. He was not going to strangle her: he meant only to stifle her. Jude was cool now, and alert.
"I've got something to say to you, Joyce, and it better be said and done with. I slept on it last night and most of to-day. I went to your father's this evening to have it out, but you wasn't there. I met Jock Filmer in the Long Medder and he told me where you was, and why. Your father had aired his affair in the tavern."
Joyce clasped her cold fingers nervously. There was nothing for her to do but wait Jude's pleasure. Leon had not been able to overpower Jared's personality evidently.
"I saw you go to Mr. Gaston's shack night before last! I'd been there before you, and I was lying off in the pine grove when you came a-visiting."