Farewell, sweet Grace, until we meet again."
He bent over her hand in a very courtly fashion, and then set off for Chagford with Putt after him.
When they were out of sight Grace turned to her lover and quickly felt his arm round her, his gentle kisses upon her cheek.
"'Tis very well," she said; "but I can't live even on your kisses, sweetheart. This man quite overclouds my spirit. I gasp for air; I suffocate with quotations. You'll have to run away with me, John."
"Why--to your grandmother. I'll dye myself nut-brown and pick snails for Lovey Lee."
Than her jest nothing had better served to show young John the futility of his hopes.
"I have been mad," he said; "each day, each hour shows me how mad."
"Your love must find the way. Read some of my story-books. I'll warrant they'll hearten you. You are meant to do dashing deeds."
"Life falls out so different. What can I do? How shall I set about proving that I'm worthy to tie your shoe-string? The bitter truth is that I'm not."
"Now I see that Mr. Norcot has oppressed you as he oppresses me. I always feel not good enough, nor great enough to breathe the same air with him."
"But he is not good, nor yet great," John answered.
"Well, we stand where we did. You must see your grandmother and be firm with her. You are a man now. Approach her boldly upon the subject of your father. She knows all about you--more even than I do--'tis not to be endured. And if you cannot win her to our side, then I must. Just think how it might chance if she has the amphora!"
Upon this fascinating problem they spoke at length, and with such earnestness, that they forgot their love affairs for full five minutes. Not until familiar landmarks warned them that they neared their home again, did they become personal. Then John Lee's soul grew glad once more, and hope woke within him at her voice.
Peter Norcot, meantime, heard something of interest on his homeward way. In a wild heath beyond Hameldon, he overtook two old men plodding along together, and as he possessed a remarkable memory, the horseman recollected one of them very well, and offered him greeting.
"How now, Mr. 'Ha'penny for a rook, a penny for a jay'! How wags the world with you? You forget me, but I remember Leaman Cloberry who showed me my road to Fox Tor Farm when I was fog-foundered a while agone."