And now I began to muse within myself what a provoking Thing it was, that when all the Obstacles I had counted insurmountable between _Anne_ and me had suddenly given Way, I should be brought up short by herself! Certes, an' she cared not for me, there was no more to be said; and Master _Hewet_ would in no Ways be to blame if he gave her to Somebody else; neither had I ever sought nor had she ever bestowed any such Tokens of especial and considerable Regard as should encourage me to suppose I had only to ask and have. And yet, I had somehow always thought, "Only give me my fair Chance with the Rest, and I ask for nothing better." That was my Conceit and Presumption. Therefore with a very sad and sorry Aspect did I carry up the Letters to Mistress _Anne_, and used as few Words as need be in the delivering of them. She on her Part was equally dry, and gave me no Pretence to tarry, and yet I lingered. Seeing which, and that I was about to speak, (though I protest, on Somewhat quite as trivial as the Weather,) she suddenly coloured up very much and said, "_Edward_, if you are going to talk any more Nonsense, as you did last Night, I would rather go away." "There's no Need, Madam," said I coolly, "I had not such a Thought in my Head." On which she coloured still worse, and sitting down again began to read her Letters. _Damaris_ now came in, and began to stitch away at a distant Window. "I have but to say Farewell, Mistress _Anne_," quod I, "before I start on my next Journey." "So soon again? where are you going?" quod she, without looking up from her Letters. "A rolling Stone gathers no Moss." (This was an unkind Cut, considering her own Father set me rolling.) "To _Yorkshire_," replied I, "and perhaps I had best say Farewell at once, for Lord _Talbot_ is coming in at the Gate." "Oh then, _Edward_, stay!" cries she with all her old Frankness: starting up and dropping her Letters. As we both stooped to pick them up, I said, "I will, if you wish it; but are you assured you know your own Mind?" "Quite," said she very determinately, "so leave me not by any Means."