This etext was transcribed by Les Bowler
A Novel
BY
M. E. FRANCIS
(Mrs. Francis Blundell)
Author of“Pastorals of Dorset,” “The Duenna of aGenius,”
etc., etc.
LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.
91 AND 93FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK
LONDON ANDBOMBAY
1901
p. iiCopyright,1901,
ByLongmans, Green, and Co.
Allrights reserved
UNIVERSITYPRESS • JOHN WILSON
AND SON • CAMBRIDGE, U. S.A.
p. iiiI dedicate this RuralRomance
to
MY KIND HOSTESSES OFTENANTREES
True Daughters of“Dorset Dear,”
Under whose auspices I firstbecame acquainted
with the peculiarities of its dialect and
the humours of its people
PROLOGUE | |
Page | |
THE BRIDE | |
PART I | |
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY | |
PART II | |
THE PRINCE | |
Aman of reverend age,
But stout and hale . . .Wordsworth.
A wife’s be the cheapest ov hands.
WilliamBarnes.
The sale was over: live stock,implements, corn and hay, turnips and potatoes, even apples, hadduly been entered to their various buyers; and now such smallerarticles as milk-pails, cheese-tubs, cream-tins, w