’I’ve been unwell,’ answered the yeoman. ’I had to be down at the church t’other day to meet the rural dean, as I’m churchwarden, and Nanspian is too lazy to act; I heated myself with walking, and I had an encounter with the young Merry Andrew on the way.’ He glanced at Honor, but she neither stirred nor raised her eyes from the table. ’Some words passed. He was impudent, and I nigh on thrashed him. I would have chastised him, but that he had a broken arm. My blood was up, and I had to stand in the damp church, and I reckon I got a chill there. I was taken bad in the night, and thought I must die—burning pains and cramps, but it passed off. I’m better now. It was an inflammation, but I’m getting right again. I have to be careful what I eat, that is all. Slops—slops. I wouldn’t dare touch that,’ said he, pointing to a brandy bottle beside the lawyer. ’It would feed the fire and kill me.’ ’My opinion is that the affection is of the heart, not of the stomach,’ laughed Physick, ’and when I look at Miss Honor I’m not surprised at the burning. Enough to set us all in flames, eh, Langford? Heartburn, man, heartburn!—nothing worse than that, and now you’re going to take the best medicine to cure that disorder.’ ’Not that at all,’ said Taverner surlily. ’I caught a chill across me standing waiting in the church at the visitation; I felt the cold and damp come up out of the vault to me. I was taken ill the same night.’ ’You’ve a nice house here,’ said the lively Physick, ’a little cold such a day as this, with the drizzle against the windows, but—love will keep it warm. What do you think, Miss Honor, of the nest, eh? Lined with wool, eh? well, money is better than wool.’ Honor measured him with a haughty glance, and Physick, somewhat disconcerted, turned to the carrier and Mr. Langford to discuss business. Honor remained standing, cold, composed, and resolute, but with a heart weaker than her outward appearance betokened. ’Come,’ said Physick, ’next to the parson I’m the most necessary workman to hammer the chain. The parson can do something for the present, I for the future. If you will listen to the settlement, you won’t grumble at my part. Little as you may think of me, I’ve had your interests in eye. I’ve taken care of you.’ ’You have done nothing but what I have bid you,’ said Taverner roughly. ’Oliver Luxmore and I talked it over before you, and you have written what we decided.’ ’Oh, of course, of course!’ exclaimed Physick, ’but there are two ways of doing a thing. A slip of the pen, a turn of expression, and all is spoiled. I’ve been careful, and I do consider it hard that the parson who blesses the knot should be allowed to claim a kiss, and the lawyer who plaits it should not be allowed even to ask for one.’ He glanced at Taverner and Oliver and winked. ’Certainly, certainly,’ said the carrier.