All this poured from my lips smoothly and warmly enough, and he calmly heard me to the end; but then he solemnly declared to me that, sweet as he might deem it to have me by his side to keep him company, it might not be; and he set forth clearly and fully how he had ordered the matter yestereve, and I looked up at him as to a general who foresees and governs all that may befall, to the wisest ends.  So steadfast and clear a purpose I had never met; howbeit, Mother Eve’s part in me was ill-content.  It was too much for me to suffer that he should depart, and, like the fool that I was, the desire possessed me to bend to my will this man of all men, whose stiff-necked will was ever as firm as iron.

I began once more to beseech him, and this time he broke in, declaring that, say what I would, he must depart, and therewith he pulled the hood of his cloak over his head so that his well-favored, honest brown face, with its pointed beard, framed as it were in the green cloth, looked down on me, the very image of manly beauty and mild gravity.

My heart beat higher than ever for joy and pride at calling the heart of such a man mine own, and therewith my desire waxed stronger to exert my power.  And I knew right well how to get the upper-hand of my lovers.  My Hans had never said me nay when I had entreated him with certain wiles.  And whereas I had in no wise forgotten my tricks, I took Gotz by the hem of his hood and drew his dear head down to my face.  Then I rubbed my nose against his as hares do when they sniff at each other, put up my lips for a kiss, stood on tip-toe, offered him my lips from afar, and whispered to him right sweetly and beseechingly: 

“And, in spite of all, now you are to be my good, dear heart’s treasure, and will do Margery’s bidding when she entreats you so fondly and will give you a sweet kiss for your pains.”

But I had reckoned vainly.  The reward for which my Hans modestly served me, this bold warrior cared not to win.  His bearded lips, to be sure, were ready enough to meet mine, nor was he content with one kiss only; but, as soon as he had enjoyed the last, he took both my hands tight in his own, and said solemnly but sweetly: 

“Do you not love me, Margery?” And when I had hastily declared that I did, he went on in the same tone, and still holding my bands:  “Then you must know, once for all, that I could refuse you nought, neither in great matters nor small, unless it were needful.  Yet, when once I have said,” and he spoke loud, “nothing can move me in the very least.  You have known me from a child, and of your own free will you have given yourself over to this iron brain.  Now, kiss me once more, and bear me no malice!  Till to-morrow.  Out in the forest, please God, we will belong to each other for many a long day!”

Therewith he clasped me firmly and truly in his arms, and I willingly and hotly returned his kiss, and or ever I could find a word to reply he had quitted the chamber.  I hastened to the window, and as he waved his hand and rode off down the street facing the snow-storm, I pressed my hand to my breast, and rarely has a human being so overflowed with pure gladness at being twice worsted in the fray, albeit I had forced it on myself.