would stay
away. At length becoming tired and listless, I determined to return to
the dingle, and resume the reading of the Bible at the place where I had
left off. 'What better could I do,' methought, 'on a Sunday evening?' I
was then near the wood which surrounded the dingle, but at that side
which was farthest from the encampment, which stood near the entrance.
Suddenly, on turning round the southern corner of the copse, which
surrounded the dingle, I perceived Ursula seated under a thorn-bush. I
thought I never saw her look prettier than then, dressed as she was, in
her Sunday's best.

'Good-evening, Ursula,' said I; 'I little thought to have the pleasure of
seeing you here.'

'Nor would you, brother,' said Ursula, 'had not Jasper told me that you
had been talking about me, and wanted to speak to me under a hedge; so,
hearing that, I watched your motions, and came here and sat down.'

'I was thinking of going to my quarters in the dingle, to read the Bible,
Ursula, but--'

'Oh, pray then, go to your quarters, brother, and read the Miduveleskoe
lil; {64} you can speak to me under a hedge some other time.'

'I think I will sit down with you, Ursula; for, after all, reading godly
books in dingles at eve, is rather sombre work. Yes, I think I will sit
down with you;' and I sat down by her side.

'Well, brother, now you have sat down with me under the hedge, what have
you to say to me?'

'Why, I hardly know, Ursula.'

'Not know, brother; a pretty fellow you to ask young women to come and
sit with you under hedges, and, when they come, not know what to say to
them.'

'Oh! ah! I remember; do you know, Ursula, that I take a great interest
in you?'

'Thank ye, brother; kind of you, at any rate.'

'You must be exposed to a great many temptations, Ursula.'

'A great many indeed, brother. It is hard to see fine things, such as
shawls, gold watches, and chains in the shops, behind the big glasses,
and to know that they are not intended for one. Many's the time I have
been tempted to make a dash at them; but I bethought myself that by so
doing I should cut my hands, besides being almost certain of being
grabbed and sent across the gull's bath to the foreign country.'

'Then you think gold and fine things temptations, Ursula?'

'Of course, brother, very great temptations; don't you think them so?'

'Can't say I do, Ursula.'

'Then more fool you, brother; but have the kindness to tell me what you
would