‘It’s a coud new year as I’m lettin’ in though it’s noan t’ new year yet.  Yo’ll a’ be snowed up, as sure as my name s Dannel, if yo’ stop for twel’ o’clock.  Yo’d better mak’ haste and go whoam.  Why, Charley, my lad! how beest ta? who’d ha’ thought o’ seeing thee i’ these parts again!  Nay, missus, nay, t’ new year mun find its way int’ t’ house by itsel’ for me; for a ha’ promised my oud woman to bring Sylvie whoam as quick as may-be; she’s lyin’ awake and frettin’ about t’ snow and what not.  Thank yo’ kindly, missus, but a’ll tak’ nought to eat; just a drop o’ somethin’ hot to keep out coud, and wish yo’ a’ the compliments o’ the season.  Philip, my man, yo’ll not be sorry to be spared t’ walk round by Haytersbank such a neet.  My missus were i’ such a way about Sylvie that a thought a’d just step off mysel’, and have a peep at yo’ a’, and bring her some wraps.  Yo’r sheep will be a’ folded, a reckon, Measter Pratt, for there’ll niver be a nibble o’ grass to be seen this two month, accordin’ to my readin’; and a’ve been at sea long enough, and on land long enough t’ know signs and wonders.  It’s good stuff that, any way, and worth comin’ for,’ after he had gulped down a tumblerful of half-and-half grog.  ’Kinraid, if ta doesn’t come and see me afore thou’rt many days ouder, thee and me’ll have words.  Come, Sylvie, what art ta about, keepin’ me here?  Here’s Mistress Corney mixin’ me another jorum.  Well, this time a’ll give “T’ married happy, and t’ single wed!"’

Sylvia was all this while standing by her father quite ready for departure, and not a little relieved by his appearance as her convoy home.

‘I’m ready to see Haytersbank to-night, master!’ said Kinraid, with easy freedom—­a freedom which Philip envied, but could not have imitated, although he was deeply disappointed at the loss of his walk with Sylvia, when he had intended to exercise the power his aunt had delegated to him of remonstrance if her behaviour had been light or thoughtless, and of warning if he saw cause to disapprove of any of her associates.

After the Robsons had left, a blank fell upon both Charley and Philip.  In a few minutes, however, the former, accustomed to prompt decision, resolved that she and no other should be his wife.  Accustomed to popularity among women, and well versed in the incipient signs of their liking for him, he anticipated no difficulty in winning her.  Satisfied with the past, and pleasantly hopeful about the future, he found it easy to turn his attention to the next prettiest girl in the room, and to make the whole gathering bright with his ready good temper and buoyant spirit.