The poor little slave worshipped him so sincerely; she repaid his affectionate words with such fervent gratitude; and there was no denying that she had rather a pretty face, which had attracted him from the first.

But above all, this preference accorded to so humble a rival had set Clem Peckover beside herself.

It was all very well for Clem to make pretence of having transferred her affections to Jack Bartley.

Why, Suke Jollop (ostensibly Clem's bosom friend, but treacherous at times because she had herself given an eye to Jack)--Suke Jollop reported that Clem would have killed Pennyloaf had she dared.

Pennyloaf had been going about in fear for her life since that attack upon her in Myddelton Passage.