ds, and one
night, before the gates of the City were shut went down to Hare Street
with a couple of men, leaving James at home, for I could trust him
better than any other man.

Now I need not relate all that passed at Hare Street; for every lover
knows how sweet was that day to me. I had seen her not at all for more
than a year--(one year of those three that were to pass!)--and though we
had written often to one another, whenever we could get a letter taken,
yet the letters had done no more than increase my thirst. I think she
was dearer to me than ever; she was a shade paler and more grave, and I
knew what it was that had made her so, for I had told her very plainly
indeed that I was in peril and that she must pray much for me. My Cousin
Tom was friendly enough, though I saw he was no more reconciled in his
heart to our affair than he had been at the beginning; but I guessed
nothing whatever of what he was contemplating. (However perhaps he was
not contemplating it then, for he did not attempt it till much later.)
Yet he was pretty reasonable, and interrupted us no more than was
necessary; so we had that day to ourselves, until night fell, and I must
ride again. I was so weary that night, though refreshed in my spirit,
that I think I drowsed a little on my horse, and thought that I stood
again at the gate of the yard with Dolly, bareheaded in spite of the
cold, holding the lantern to help us to mount.

* * * * *

I was still brooding all the way up Fleet Street, and even to my own
door; until I saw James standing there; and at the sight of him I knew
that something was fallen out.

I said nothing, but nodded at him only, as a master may, but he
understood that he was to follow upstairs. There, in my chamber I faced
him.

"Well?" said I. "What is it?"

"Sir," he said, "a fellow came last night and seemed much put out when I
told him you were out of town."

"What sort of a fellow was he?" said I.

"He was a clean-shaven man, sir, rather red in the face, with reddish
hair turning grey on his temples."

"Heavily built?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well; what did he say?"

"He said that you would know what affair he was come about--that it was
very urgent; and that he could not stay in town beyond noon to-day. He
said, sir, that he was to be found till then at the _Mitre_ without
Aldgate."

Well; that was enough for me. But I did not relish the prospect of no
sleep again; for I cannot t