othing in
his words or actions to suggest such an idea. Now it had been
suggested, there was no telling how much she loathed him. He might be
good, and pious--he doubtless was--but his dark fixed eyes, moving so
slowly and heavily, his lank black hair, his grey coarse skin, all made
her dislike him now--all his personal ugliness and ungainliness struck
on her senses with a jar, since those few words spoken behind the
haystack.

She knew that sooner or later the time must come for further discussion
of this subject; but, like a coward, she tried to put it off, by
clinging to her aunt's apron-string, for she was sure that Grace
Hickson had far different views for her only son. As, indeed, she had,
for she was an ambitious, as well as a religious woman; and by an early
purchase of land in Salem village, the Hicksons had become wealthy
people, without any great exertions of their own; partly, also, by the
silent process of accumulation, for they had never cared to change
their manner of living from the time when it had been suitable to a far
smaller income than that which they at present enjoyed. So much for
worldly circumstances. As for their worldly character, it stood as
high. No one could say a word against any of their habits or actions.
The righteousness and godliness were patent to every one's eyes. So
Grace Hickson thought herself entitled to pick and choose among the
maidens, before she should meet with one fitted to be Manasseh's wife.
None in Salem came up to her imaginary standard. She had it in her mind
even at this very time--so soon after her husband's death--to go to
Boston, and take counsel with the leading ministers there, with worthy
Mr. Cotton Mather at their head, and see if they could tell her of a
well-favoured and godly young maiden in their congregations worthy of
being the wife of her son. But, besides good looks and godliness, the
wench must have good birth, and good wealth, or Grace Hickson would
have put her contemptuously on one side. When once this paragon was
found, the ministers had approved, Grace anticipated no difficulty on
her son's part. So Lois was right in feeling that her aunt would
dislike any speech of marriage between Manasseh and herself.

But the girl was brought to bay one day in this wise. Manasseh had
ridden forth on some business, which every one said would occupy him
the whole day; but, meeting the man with whom he had to transact his
affairs, he returned earlier than any