Some perverse whimsy of mine had made me careful never to be left alone in Harry’s company since that talk with him by moonlight in the orchard.  It’s no wonder that I so perfectly recollect all the sayings and doings of that day, for it was a fateful day indeed to some of our little company.  But the things that dwelt most constantly in my memory, to the shutting out of weightier matters, were Harry’s looks and words on my saying I would be as a daughter to Mr. Truelocke.  There was small need to bid me think well of them; I thought of them whether I would or no, all the while telling myself that I was a poor fool for brooding over such airy trifles; that I had not known aught of Harry, nor he of me, six months before; and that I deserved whipping for fancying he could mean anything serious.  And so, between a kind of fear and a good deal of pride, I tried, as I have said, to avoid any private talk with him; and I succeeded pretty well.  But Harry’s blunt, plain-spoken ways overmatched me after all.

The first evening after Mr. Truelocke had come to the Grange—­I cannot say, after we had him settled there, for he was mightily unsettled—­he was not able to rest in the room we had fitted for his study, and so came to sit among us in the hall, seeming to please himself with watching our occupations, as he sat in his great chair.  Andrew was writing somewhat at his desk; Althea had some sewing; and I was having a lesson from Aunt Golding in the right use of the little flax-wheel; for I had taken an extraordinary fancy for spinning, and our aunt encouraged me in it, and took pains to teach me, saying I was an apt scholar.  Thus we were busied when Harry came in and sat down among us.

‘You all look peaceful and content, methinks,’ quoth he.  ’I wish I were a skilful painter, then might I make a picture of this pretty scene to carry with me and cheer my heart in distant seas.  But since I cannot do that, I must try for some other comfort to take away with me.’

Here he stopt, and Aunt Golding said kindly, ’What is in my power to do for you, Master Harry, I will do as freely as your father could.’

‘Thanks, madam,’ said Harry; ’there’s much you and my father can do for me; I know only one other person who can do more.  Father, I looked for you in your study even now; but I am not sorry to find you here instead, hardly any one here but has some interest in my business with you.  I want your consent and Mrs. Golding’s to my seeking Mistress Lucy here for my wife.’

I heard the words plainly, and I suppose their sense reached me; but if they had been so many blows of an axe upon my head they could not have left me more stupid.  So I sat helpless, hearing Aunt Golding cry out,—­

‘Here is hasty work, indeed! do you speak seriously, Master Harry?’

‘Never more seriously,’ said he; ’if they were the last words I should speak I could not mean them more truly and heartily.  And I hope you have a good answer for me.’