I ever do to vex you? If you think I like any lass better than you--some
fellah at Elverston's bin talkin', maybe--it's nout but lies an' nonsense.
Not but there's lots o' wenches likes me well enough, though I be a plain
lad, and speaks my mind straight out.'

'I can't see that you are so frank, sir, as you describe; you have just
played a shabby trick to bring about this absurd and most disagreeable
interview.'

'And supposin' I did send that fool, Milly, out o' the way, to talk a bit
wi' you here, where's the harm? Dang it, lass, ye mustn't be too hard.
Didn't I say I'd do whatever ye wished?'

'And you _won't_,' said I.

'Ye mean to get along out o' this? Well, now, I _will_. There! No use, of
course, askin' you to kiss and be friends, before I go, as cousins should.
Well, don't be riled, lass, I'm not askin' it; only mind, I do like you
awful, and 'appen I'll find ye in better humour another time. Good-bye,
Maud; I'll make ye like me at last.'

And with these words, to my comfort, he addressed himself to his horse and
pipe, and was soon honestly on his way to the moor.

CHAPTER XLVI

_THE RIVALS_

All the time that Dudley chose to persecute me with his odious society, I
continued to walk at a brisk pace toward home, so that I had nearly reached
the house when Milly met me, with a note which had arrived for me by the
post, in her hand.

'Here, Milly, are more verses. He is a very persevering poet, whoever he
is.' So I broke the seal; but this time it was prose. And the first words
were 'Captain Oakley!'

I confess to an odd sensation as these remarkable words met my eye. It
might possibly be a proposal. I did not wait to speculate, however, but
read these sentences traced in the identical handwriting which had copied
the lines with which I had been twice favoured.

'Captain Oakley presents his compliments to Miss Ruthyn, and trusts she
will excuse his venturing to ask whether, during his short stay in Feltram,
he might be permitted to pay his respects at Bartram-Haugh. He has been
making a short visit to his aunt, and could not find himself so near
without at least attempting to renew an acquaintance which he has never
ceased to cherish in memory. If Miss Ruthyn would be so very good as to
favour him with ever so short a reply to the question he ventures most
respectfully to ask, her decision would reach him at the Hall Hotel,
Feltram.'

'Well, he's a roundabout fellah, anyhow. Couldn't he com