Now, farewell, for I am about to take a
journey." "And you will go out with your hair as I have braided it,"
said Mrs. Petulengro; "if you do, everybody will be in love with you."
"No," said Belle, "hitherto I have allowed you to do what you please, but
henceforth I shall have my own way. Come, come," said she, observing
that the gypsy was about to speak, "we have had enough of nonsense;
whenever I leave this hollow, it will be wearing my hair in my own
fashion." "Come, wife," said Mr. Petulengro, "we will no longer intrude
upon the rye and rawnie, there is such a thing as being troublesome."
Thereupon Mr. Petulengro and his wife took their leave, with many
salutations. "Then you are going?" said I, when Belle and I were left
alone. "Yes," said Belle, "I am going on a journey; my affairs compel
me." "But you will return again?" said I. "Yes," said Belle, "I shall
return once more." "Once more," said I; "what do you mean by once more?
The Petulengros will soon be gone, and will you abandon me in this
place?" "You were alone here," said Belle, "before I came, and, I
suppose, found it agreeable, or you would not have stayed in it." "Yes,"
said I, "that was before I knew you; but having lived with you here, I
should be very loth to live here without you." "Indeed," said Belle, "I
did not know that I was of so much consequence to you. Well, the day is
wearing away--I must go and harness Traveller to the cart." "I will do
that," said I, "or anything else you may wish me. Go and prepare
yourself; I will see after Traveller and the cart." Belle departed to
her tent, and I set about performing the task I had undertaken. In about
half-an-hour Belle again made her appearance--she was dressed neatly and
plainly. Her hair was no longer in the Roman fashion, in which Pakomovna
had plaited it, but was secured by a comb; she held a bonnet in her hand.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" I demanded. "There are two or
three bundles by my tent, which you can put into the cart," said Belle. I
put the bundles into the cart, and then led Traveller and the cart up the
winding path, to the mouth of the dingle, near which was Mr. Petulengro's
encampment. Belle followed. At the top, I delivered the reins into her
hands; we looked at each other steadfastly for some time. Belle then
departed and I returned to the dingle, where, seating myself on my stone,
I remained for upwards of an hour in thought.

CHAPTER VI