"
So having duly remembered the aforesaid rosy-cheeked chambermaid,
the obsequious "Boots" and the grinning ostler, I sallied forth into
the sunshine, and crossing the green, where stood the battered
sign-post, I came to a flight of rough steps, at the foot of which
my boat was moored. In I stepped, cast loose the painter, and
shipping the sculls, shot out into the stream.
No, there never was, there never could be, just such another morning
as this, for to-day I was to marry Lisbeth, and every stroke of the
oar carried me nearer to her and happiness. Gaily the alders bent
and nodded to me; joyfully the birds piped and sang; merrily the
water laughed and chattered against my prow as I rowed through the
golden morning.
Long before the hour appointed I reached the water-stairs at Fane
Court, and tying my skiff, lighted my pipe and watched the smoke
rise slowly into the still air while I tried "to possess my soul
in patience." Sitting thus, I dreamed many a fair dream of the new
life that was to be, and made many resolutions, as a man should
upon his wedding morn.
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