Priorsford and
love Jean at sight. It's all as simple as a fairy-tale."

"Oh, _is_ it? I very much doubt if Jean will look at me. I sometimes
think she rather avoids me. She keeps out of my way, and hardly ever
addresses a remark to me."

"She has never mentioned you to me," said Pamela, "and that's a good
sign. I don't say you won't have to wait. I'm pretty certain she won't
accept you when you ask her. Even if she cares--and I don't think she
realises yet that she does--her sense of duty to the boys, and other
things, will hold her back, and your title and possessions will tell
against you. Jean is the least mercenary of creatures Ask her before you
leave, and if she refuses you appear to accept her refusal. Don't say
you will try again and that sort of thing: it gives a girl a caged
feeling. Go away for a while and make no sign. I know what I'm talking
about, Biddy ... and she is worth waiting for."

"I would serve for her as Jacob served for Rachel, and not grudge one
minute of the time, but the nuisance is I'm twelve years older than she
is. I can't afford to wait. I'm afraid she will think me too old."

"Nonsense, a boy would never do for Jean. Although she looks such a
child, she is a woman, and a woman with a brain. Otherwise she would
never do for you. You would tire of a doll in a week, no matter how
curly the hair or flawless the complexion.... You realise, of course,
that Jean is an uncompromising little Puritan? Mercy is as plain as
bread and honour is as hard as stone to Jean--but she has a wide
tolerance for sinners. I can imagine it won't always be easy to be
Jean's husband. She is so full of compassion that she will want to help
every unfortunate, and fill the house with the broken and the
unsuccessful. But she won't be a wearisome wife. She won't pall. She
will always be full of surprises, and an infinite variety, and find such
numbers of things to laugh about.... You know how she mothers those
boys--can't you see Jean with babies of her own?... To me she is like a
well of spring-water a continual refreshment for weary souls."

Pamela stopped. "Am I making too much of an ordinary little country
girl, Biddy?"

Her brother smiled and shook his head, and after a minute he said:

"A garden enclosed is my love."

CHAPTER XVI

"What's to be said to him, lady? He is fortified against any
denial."--_Twelfth Night_.

The day before Pamela and her brother left Priorsford for their vi