"Why do you not answer, Alexander? Do you think me too forward?" "No," stammered I; "you are very kind, but this is so unexpected--so unlooked for--so unhoped for--I am so overcome." Observe, Madam, how strangely the sexes were changed. I was the woman in this instance. "I should like to consult my friends." "Consult your fiddlesticks," replied she, quickly. "Who have you got to consult? I hope, Alexander," said she, setting her broad teeth together, "that you are not trifling with me?" "Indeed, I never should think of trifling with you, mistress," replied I. "I feel much obliged to you for showing such a preference for me." "I think, Alexander, that you ought; so now then, if you please, give me your answer," replied she. "Had I been prepared for your kindness, I would have done so at once, but I have many serious questions to put to myself, and if you please, we will renew the subject to-morrow morning. I will then tell you candidly how I am situated; and if after that you do not withdraw your proposal, I shall be most happy to be yours as soon as we can go to James Town to be married." "If," replied she, "you mean to insinuate, Alexander, that you have a wife in England, that is of no consequence in this settlement; for those who live here are free from all English marriages; and as for going to James Town, that is quite unnecessary. If the people in the settlement were to wait for a parson when they married, they would never be married at all. All that is necessary is, that we shall draw up an agreement of marriage, on paper, sign it, and have it witnessed. However, as I perceive that you are flurried, I will wait till to-morrow morning for your decision." My mistress then rose from her stool, and went into her chamber, shutting to the door with more emphasis than was at all agreeable to my nerves. I walked out into the open air to recover myself, and to reflect upon what course I should take in this awkward and dangerous dilemma. Marrying was out of the question--but how to avoid it? It was almost like being stopped by a highwayman. He says, "Your money or your life." My mistress's demand was, "Marriage or your life." There was but one hope, which was to escape that very night, and take my chance in the woods, and so I resolved to do.