Well, methought, as they were there, I must needs come home with them: and this afternoon, if I can steal hence without any seeing me, will I go yet again to the copse, to see if I may find my _Protection_: for I have well-nigh granted the privy wedding he hath pled so hard for, and this morrow we thought to order the inwards thereof [settle the details]. As next _Sunday_ at even, saith he, I am to steal forth of the garden door, and he shall meet me in the lane with an hackney and two or three serving-men for guard: and so go we forth to _Ambleside_, where the priest shall join our hands, and then come back and entreat _Father_ and _Mother's_ pardon and blessing. I dare be bound there shall be much commotion, and some displeasant speeches; but I trust all shall blow o'er in time: and after all (as saith my _Protection_) when there is no hope that _Father_ and _Mother_ should give us leave aforehand, what else can we do? Verily, it is a sore trouble that elders will stand thus in young folks' way that do love each other. And my _Protection_ is not so much elder than I. In the stead of only ten or fifteen years younger than _Father_, he is twenty-five well reckoned, having but four-and-thirty years: and I was twenty my last birthday, which is two months gone. And if he look (as he alloweth) something elder than his years, it is, as he hath told me, but trouble and sorrow, of which he hath known much. My poor _Protection_! in good sooth, I am sorry for his trouble. I shall not tear out my leaves afore I am back, and meantime, I do keep the book right heedfully under lock and key. As for any paying of two-pences, that is o'er for me now; so there were no good to reckon them up. My noble _Protection_ saith, when he hath but once gat me safe to the Court, then shall I have a silken gown every day I do live, and jewelling so much as ever I shall desire. He will set off his _Amiability_ (quoth he) that all shall see and wonder at her. Though I count _Father_ doth love me, yet am I sure, my _Protection_ loveth me a deal the more. 'Tis only fitting, therefore, that I cleave to him rather. Now must I go forth and see if I may meet with him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1. The words _understand_ and _conceive_ have changed places since the days of Elizabeth. To understand then meant to originate an idea: to conceive, to realise an imparted thought. CHAPTER FIVE. AUNT JOYCE SPOILS THE GAME. "We shun two paths, my maiden, When strangers' way we tell-- That which ourselves we know not, That which we know too well. "I `never knew!' Thou think'st it? Well! Better so, to-day. The years lie thick and mossy O'er that long-silent way. "The roses there are withered, The thorns are tipped with pain: Thou wonderest if I tell thee `Walk not that way again?'