sitting there, and not a word for any
of us? It's, I call it, dumbfoundering. And that's me: why didn't I go up
and shake his hand, you ask. Well, why not? If he don't know he's
welcome, without ceremony, he's no good. Why, I've got matters t' occupy
my mind, too, haven't I? Every man has, and some more'n others, let alone
crosses. There's something wrong with my brother-in-law, Tony, that's
settled. Odd that we country people, who bide, and take the Lord's
gifts--" The farmer did not follow out this reflection, but raising his
arms, shepherd-wise, he puffed as if blowing the two women before him to
their beds, and then gave a shy look at Robert, and nodded good-night to
him. Robert nodded in reply. He knew the cause of the farmer's uncommon
blitheness. Algernon Blancove, the young squire, had proposed for Rhoda's
hand.

CHAPTER XLIII

Anthony had robbed the Bank. The young squire was aware of the fact, and
had offered to interpose for him, and to make good the money to the Bank,
upon one condition. So much, Rhoda had gathered from her uncle's babbling
interjections throughout the day. The farmer knew only of the young
squire's proposal, which had been made direct to him; and he had left it
to Robert to state the case to Rhoda, and plead for himself. She believed
fully, when she came downstairs into the room where Robert was awaiting
her, that she had but to speak and a mine would be sprung; and shrinking
from it, hoping for it, she entered, and tried to fasten her eyes upon
Robert distinctly, telling him the tale. Robert listened with a
calculating seriousness of manner that quieted her physical dread of his
passion. She finished; and he said "It will, perhaps, save your uncle:
I'm sure it will please your father."

She sat down, feeling that a warmth had gone, and that she was very bare.

"Must I consent, then?"

"If you can, I suppose."

Both being spirits formed for action, a perplexity found them weak as
babes. He, moreover, was stung to see her debating at all upon such a
question; and he was in despair before complicated events which gave
nothing for his hands and heart to do. Stiff endurance seemed to him to
be his lesson; and he made a show of having learnt it.

"Were you going out, Robert?"

"I usually make the rounds of the house, to be sure all's safe."

His walking about the garden at night was not, then, for the purpose of
looking at her window. Rhoda coloured in all her dark crimson with