But time was flying all too fast, and almost as soon as the curtain fell for the last time, Cuthbert came up and carried her away, Lord Culverhouse walking with them once more through the long rooms, and insisting on their partaking of some spiced wine and game pasty before going out into the cold air again.

What with the fumes of the wine, the extraordinary grandeur of the house, and the wonderful nature of the adventure altogether, Cherry hardly knew whether or not she any longer trod on solid ground as she pursued her way along the streets clinging tight to Cuthbert’s arm.  It was growing dusk now, and Cuthbert was anxious to get his charge home before the early darkness should have fallen upon the city.  They hardly spoke as they wended their way.  Cherry gave a little gasp from time to time indicative of her unbounded delight, whilst Cuthbert was thinking pleasantly of the kind and cordial reception he had met with from Lord Culverhouse.

Both felt more or less in dreamland till they reached Abraham Dyson’s house, where Cherry ran indoors again to rid herself of her finery.

When she emerged once more into the familiar streets of the city, her cheeks had lost a little of their bloom, her eyes some of their star-like brightness; and heaving a great sigh as she took Cuthbert’s arm, she said: 

“Ah me! it is a hard fate to be a city maid and a Puritan’s daughter.  I shall never see such lovely sights again!  And oh, how happy I should be if only I could be a lady, and live where everything is soft and beautiful and gentle!  Oh how I shall dream of it all now!  But it will never be anything but a dream!” and a great tear like a diamond sparkled on the thick lashes and rolled down the girl’s soft cheek.

Cuthbert had been thinking hard as he stood there in the gathering darkness.  He was rather taken out of himself, which was perhaps the reason he forgot all prudence and reserve.  Bending suddenly over Cherry, he kissed away the tears on her cheeks, and said in low, passionate tones: 

“Nay, sweet Cherry, weep not for that.  I will make thee yet a lady, whom none shall dare flout.  I have loved thee, sweet cousin, from the day I found thee by the river in hapless plight.  And when I have found the lost treasure of Trevlyn, and have brought luck and fortune to each one that bears the old name, then will I come and wed thee, sweet coz; and thou wilt be a Trevlyn then, and none shall dare to scorn thee for thy good father’s honest name.  My father did wed a Holt, and his son shall do the same.  Tell me, Cherry, dost thou love me well enough to be my little wife one day? for by the mass I will have none other; and if thou lovest me not I will go unwed all the days of my life!”

Cherry turned hot and cold, flushed scarlet, and then grew pale as this speech proceeded, till at the last words the red came back in a flood, and hiding her face on Cuthbert’s shoulder, she sobbed out: