He pressed her
right hand between both his own across the stile.
'My good maiden, Gott bless you!' said he warmly. 'I cannot help
thinking of that morning! I was too much over-shadowed at first to
take in the whole force of it. You do not know all; but your
presence was a miraculous intervention. Now to more cheerful
matters. I have a great deal to tell--that is, if your wish about
the ball be still the same?'
'O yes, sir--if you don't object.'
'Never think of my objecting. What I have found out is something
which simplifies matters amazingly. In addition to your Yeomanry
Ball at Exonbury, there is also to be one in the next county about
the same time. This ball is not to be held at the Town Hall of the
county-town as usual, but at Lord Toneborough's, who is colonel of
the regiment, and who, I suppose, wishes to please the yeomen because
his brother is going to stand for the county. Now I find I could
take you there very well, and the great advantage of that ball over
the Yeomanry Ball in this county is, that there you would be
absolutely unknown, and I also. But do you prefer your own
neighbourhood?'
'O no, sir. It is a ball I long to see--I don't know what it is
like; it does not matter where.'
'Good. Then I shall be able to make much more of you there, where
there is no possibility of recognition.
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