Jeffery Farnol

“ So, honest, well-meaning Adam touched his forehead with a square-ended finger, and trudged away. But Anthea sat there, very still, with drooping head, and vacant eyes.
And so it was done, the irrevocable step had been taken; she had given her promise! So now, having chosen her course, she must follow it—to the end.
For, in Arcadia, it would seem that a promise is still a sacred thing. ”

“ Oh Anthea! don’t do what can never be undone. Don’t give your youth and beauty to one who can never—never make you happy,—Oh Anthea—!”
“Dear Aunt Priscilla, I would rather marry one I don’t love than have to live beholden all my days to a man that I—hate!” Now, as she spoke, though her embrace was as ready, and her hands as gentle as ever, yet Miss Priscilla saw that her proud face was set, and stern. So, she presently rose, sighing, and taking her little crutch stick, tapped dolefully away, and left Anthea to write her letter. ”

“ Here, Adam unscrewed his hat, and knocked out the wrinkles against his knee, which done, he glanced at Anthea:
“Why—what is it, Miss Anthea?”
“Nothing, Adam,—I haven’t slept well, lately—that’s all.”
“Ah, well!—you’ll be all right again now,—we all shall,—now the mortgage be paid off,—shan’t we, Miss Anthea?”
“Yes, Adam.”
“We ’ad a great day—over to Cranbrook, Master Georgy an’ me, he be in the kitchen now, wi’ Prudence—a-eating of bread an’ jam. Good-night, Miss Anthea mam, if you should be wanting me again I shall be in the stables,—Good-night, Miss Anthea!” ”