I turned upon her and made her meet my eyes. "What is your
name?" I demanded. "Tell me the truth!"
"I have told it," she answered proudly. "It is Jocelyn Leigh."
I faced the minister again. "Go on," I said briefly.
"The Company commands that no constraint be put upon its poor
maids. Wherefore, do you marry this man of your own free will
and choice?"
"Ay," she said, "of my own free will."
Well, we were married, and Master Jeremy Sparrow wished us joy,
and Kent would have kissed the bride had I not frowned him off.
He and Belfield strode away, and I left her there, and went to get
her bundle from the house that had sheltered her overnight.
Returning, I found her seated on the turf, her chin in her hand and
her dark eyes watching the distant play of lightning. Master
Sparrow had left his post, and was nowhere to be seen.
I gave her my hand and led her to the shore; then loosed my boat
and helped her aboard. I was pushing off when a voice hailed us
from the bank, and the next instant a great bunch of red roses
whirled past me and fell into her lap. "Sweets to the sweet, you
know," said Master Jeremy Sparrow genially. "Goodwife Allen
will never miss them."
I was in two minds whether to laugh or to swear, - for I had never
given her flowers, - when she settled the question for me by raising
the crimson mass and bestowing it upon the flood.
Pages:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49