"Well, try here:—for a little While, that I may think where to place you. Ned!—I have had some Trial of thee; I have tested thee, and I have trusted thee. Don't betray my Trust in this Matter."
I said, "I will not."
"And do thou," quod he, with all his old Kindness, "trust in me. I shall do what, on Deliberation, I think best for you. And stay thyself with this Reflection: that if thou wert the first Noble in the Land, sueing for my Daughter, I would not, in these her so early Days, give her to thee. Keep a brave, honest Heart, and take Things quietly. You have not been such a Knave as to speak to her?"
"No, Master."
"Your Word is enough," quod he, and left me. I put my Head down on mine Arms and shed hot Tears that had no Relief in them. Just then, I felt a kind Hand laid with strong emphatic Pressure on my Shoulder. I kissed it, in Sign of Reverence and Good-faith: he understood it for such, and left me without a Word. And I went on mine Affairs with a lightened Heart.
CHAPTER XIII
Master Hewet ordereth Things discretely
Two Days after this, Master Hewet sent me to Antwerp. I abode there six Months, transacting his Affairs. There was much to learn, much to see. When I returned Home, it was with a strong Heart. Directly I saw Mistress Anne, I felt that I loved her as much as ever; but I also felt that I could rule myself. She cried, "Oh, Osborne, thou art returned at last! How glad I am!" with her dear, innocent Eyes fixed brightly on mine; and forthwith began to tell me that one of her Dormice had died, and to ask me to get her another. I told her I had brought her a Guinea-pig; she thanked me, but said she did not think she should like it as much as the Dormouse.