Still, he felt
that Alice poke truth, and that his honour now required he should
take an instant leave of Ravenswood Castle, or become a suitor of Lucy
Ashton. The possibility of being rejected, too, should he make advances
to her wealthy and powerful father--to sue for the hand of an Ashton and
be refused--this were a consummation too disgraceful. "I wish her well,"
he said to himself, "and for her sake I forgive the injuries her father
has done to my house; but I will never--no, never see her more!"
With one bitter pang he adopted this resolution, just as he came to
where two paths parted: the one to the Mermaiden's Fountain, where he
knew Lucy waited him, the other leading to the castle by another and
more circuitous road. He paused an instant when about to take the latter
path, thinking what apology he should make for conduct which must needs
seem extraordinary, and had just muttered to himself, "Sudden news from
Edinburgh--any pretext will serve; only let me dally no longer here,"
when young Henry came flying up to him, half out of breath: "Master,
Master you must give Lucy your arm back to the castle, for I cannot give
her mine; for Norman is waiting for me, and I am to go with him to make
his ring-walk, and I would not stay away for a gold Jacobus; and Lucy is
afraid to walk home alone, though all the wild nowt have been shot, and
so you must come away directly.
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