"What is it that you think I should know, Caterine?"
Caterine, who looked about her furtively, as if to satisfy herself that
there was no one present but themselves, said,--
"Now, Miss Goodwin, everything depends on whether you'll answer me one
question truly, and you needn't be afeard to spake the truth to me."
"Is it concerning myself?"
"It is, Miss Goodwin, and another, too, but principally yourself."
"But what right have you, Caterine, to question me upon my own affairs?"
"No right, miss; but I wish to prevent you from, harm."
"I thank you for your good wishes, Caterine; but what is it you would
say?"
"Is it true, Miss Alice, that you and Mr. Woodward are coortin'?"
"It is not, Caterine," replied Alice, uttering the disavowal with a good
deal of earnestness; "there is no truth whatsoever in it; nothing can
be more false and groundless--I wonder how such a rumor could have got
abroad; it certainly could not proceed from Mr. Woodward."
"It did not, indeed, Miss Alice; but it did from his brother, who, it
seems, is very fond of him, and said he was glad of it; but indeed,
miss, it delights my heart to hear that there is no truth in it.
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