Who have you got to
consult? I hope, Alexander," said she, setting her broad teeth
together, "that you are not trifling with me?"

"Indeed, I never should think of trifling with your mistress," replied
I. "I feel much obliged to you for showing such a preference for me."

"I think, Alexander, that you ought; so now then, if you please, give me
your answer," replied she.

"Had I been prepared for your kindness, I would have done so at once,
but I have many serious questions to put to myself, and, if you please,
we will renew the subject to-morrow morning. I will then tell you
candidly how I am situated; and if after that you do not withdraw your
proposal, I shall be most happy to be yours as soon as we can go to
James Town to be married."

"If," replied she, "you mean to insinuate, Alexander, that you have a
wife in England, that is of no consequence in this settlement; for those
who live here are free from all English marriages; and as for going to
James Town, that is quite unnecessary. If the people in the settlement
were to wait for a parson when they married, they would never be married
at all. All that is necessary is, that we shall draw up an agreement of
marriage on paper, sign it, and have it witnessed. However, as I
perceive that you are flurried, I will wait till to-morrow morning for
your decision."

My mistress then rose from her stool, and went into her chamber,
shutting to the door with more emphasis than was at all agreeable to my
nerves. I walked out into the open air to recover myself, and to
reflect upon what course I should take in this awkward and dangerous
dilemma. Marrying was out of the question--but how to avoid it? It was
almost like being stopped by a highwayman. He says, "Your money or your
life." My mistress's demand was, "Marriage or your life." There was
but one hope, which was to escape that very night, and take my chance in
the woods, and so I resolved to do.

I did not go in till dark; my mistress was in her own room; the two
convicts were sitting by the fire. I took my seat by them, but did not
speak, except in a whisper, telling them that their mistress was not
well, and that we had better go to bed, and not talk. They stared at me
at the idea of the mistress being ill; they had never known her to
complain of anything since they resided with her; but the hint was
sufficient. They went to bed, and so did I with my clothes on, watching
the crevices of the door of her