Ravenshaw was instantly under cover. Sure enough, steps were shuffling along the sod, and a cracked old voice approached, saying:
"What, what, sweet? Wilt fly me still? wilt be still peevish? Nay, good lack, I perceive it now; thou knew'st I'd follow; thou wished to be alone with me, alone with thy chick. A pretty thought; I'll kiss thee for it."
Ravenshaw heard the smack of the old man's lips, and grated his teeth. She had stepped toward the knight, so as to meet him at a further distance from her secret visitor, of whom, manifestly, the old fellow's eyes had not caught a glimpse.
What was she to do? To send the interrupter back into the house upon a pretext was to be rid of him but a minute. She was not born to craft, or schooled in it; but her situation of late had sharpened her wits and altered her scruples. Ravenshaw, straining his ears, heard her say:
"I am angry with you, Sir Peregrine, and that is why I came away."
"What, angry, my bird, with thy faithfullest, ever-lovingest servant? Be I to blame if Mistress Felton smiled so at me?"
"Oh, Mistress Felton?--let her smile, I care not. I am angry because of thy gift. A goodly gift enough, and more than I deserve; but when you knew my heart was set upon the sapphire in your Italian bonnet--"
"Why, God's love, you never said you wished it! Sure, how--"
"Never said, with my lips, no doubt. But have I not said with my eyes, gazing on it by the hour? Troth, art grown so blind--?"
"Oh, good lack, say no more, sweet! The sapphire is thine own; I'll fetch it to-morrow."
"Nay, but I wish it to-night, long for it to-night, must have it to-night; else I shall hate it, and never desire it, and throw it to a coal-carrier when you fetch it!"
"God-a-mercy! thou shalt have it to-night. 'Tis at mine inn; I'll send one of my men straightway."
"What, trust it to thy man? Such a jewel, that I have set my heart on? If he were to lose it, or be robbed of it, I should ne'er--"
"Oh, fear not. Humphrey is to be trusted; he hath served me fifty--ah--twenty year, come Michaelmas; he'll fetch it safe."
"Oh, well, then, if you fear to go alone for it after dark!--if you choose not to make a lover's errand of it!--if you are too old, why, then--"
"Oh, tush, I'll go for it! Too old! ha, ha! Thou'rt a jesting chick, thou art. See how soon I shall fetch it."