You must understand that all these things passed in the garden, divided from the lane by a thick hedge, and that passers-by--but there were none--could not, very well, have seen what was done, though they might have heard what was said. But if my father had looked out of his window he could have seen, and if my mother had come downstairs she also might have seen through the window, or through the open door. This I thought not upon, nor was there anything to hide--though one would not willingly suffer anyone, even one's own mother, to see and listen at such a moment. Yet mother has since told me that she saw Robin on his knees kissing my hands; but she withdrew, and would not look again. When I stepped within the door she was at work with her wheel, and looked up with a smile upon her lips, but tears were lying in her eyes. Had I known what she had seen I should have been ashamed. 'Daughter,' she said softly, 'thy cheek is burning red. Hast thou, perchance, been too long in the sun?' 'No, mother, the sun is not too hot.' 'Daughter,' she went on, still smiling through her tears, 'thine eyes are bright and glowing. Hast thou a touch of fever by ill chance?' 'No, mother, I have no fever.' 'Child, thy lips are trembling and thy hands are shaking. My dear, my dear, what is it? Tell thy mother all.' She held out her arms to me, and I threw myself at her feet, and buried my head in her lap as if I had been again a child. 'Mother! mother!' I cried, 'Robin hath come home again, and he says he loves me, and nothing will do but he must marry me.'