It is natural that Arundel, after his long absence, and the unpleasant events of the day, should desire to derive some consolation from the society of his mistress.  We are not surprised, therefore, to find him taking his way toward the house of the Assistant Spikeman, in the hope of receiving some signal which would permit him to enter.  Nor was he disappointed—­Prudence, with a light kerchief thrown over her head, being just stepping out of the door on an errand to some neighbor as he came up.  The girl gave a pretty start as she beheld Arundel, partly natural and partly affected, and then beckoned to him to enter.

“O! how you frighted me!” she said, after she had carefully closed the door.  “You have sent all the blood into my heart; and it flutters so!”

“I will bring it back again into thy cheeks, where it shows so prettily,” replied Arundel, saluting her.

“Fie!  Master Miles,” exclaimed Prudence, but not looking at all displeased.  “It is well Master Prout sees thee not.  Well, what do you want?  I suppose you came to see me?”

“I have seen thee, pretty Prudence, and am so unreasonable as to desire also to be shown to thy mistress.  She is well?”

“I humbly thank your Worship,” said the girl, curtseying awkwardly, and snuffling through her nose in a manner intended to ridicule the grave Puritans, “worthy Dame Spikeman is well in body, albeit ill in spirit, being afflicted with a grievous visitation called a husband.”

“Come, come, you mad-cap girl,” said the young man, laughing at the caricature, “pervert not my meaning, but show me the way to Mistress Eveline.  If thou wilt, I promise thee a husband for thyself in good time.”

“From plague, pestilence, famine, and husbands, (I did ever think the litany deficient,) good Lord deliver us,” exclaimed Prudence, holding up her hands.  “Do I look, forsooth, like one in need of a husband, or likely to assist my young mistress therewith?  She deserves better at my hands.  I see, besides, Master Miles, that you are ignorant of the law in this blessed country, which forbids young men to woo maidens.  I know all about it, for I had it from the lips of a venerable Assistant.  Shall I rehearse it to you?”

“Why, what has got into the girl?” said Arundel, tired of this foolery.  “I prithee no more, sweet Prudence, but conduct me at once to Eveline.  Consider how long it is since I saw her.”

“Nay, an’ you come to calling me sweet, there is no resisting you.  I do love sweet things, and it is pleasant to be called sweet by some persons.  I will delay you no longer,” she added, resuming her natural manner, “since Mistress Eveline must by this time have made up her toilette.  So, please you, follow me.”

So saying, she tripped forward, and ushered Arundel into a room, where we have already seen him, and retired.  Almost instantly, the beautiful Eveline came in with a smile upon her lips and a blush on her cheeks, for from her room, the door of which was open in that warm season, she had overheard the whole conversation, as indeed Prudence had intended she should.