Bythistime，theharvestbeingdone，andthethatchingofthericksmadesureagainstsouth-westerntempests，andallthereapersbeinggone，withgoodmoneyandthankfulness，IbegantoburninspiritforthesightofLorna。IhadbeggedmysisterAnnietoletSallySnoweknow，onceforall，thatitwasnotinmypowertohaveanythingmoretodowithher。OfcourseourAnniewasnottogrieveSally，neithertoletitappearforamomentthatIsuspectedherkindviewsuponme，andherstrongregardforourdairy：onlyIthoughtitrightuponourpartnottowasteSally’stimeanylonger，beingahandsomewenchasshewas，andmanyyoungfellowsgladtomarryher。
AndAnniedidthisuncommonlywell，assheherselftoldmeafterwards，havingtakenSallyinthesweetestmannerintoherpureconfidence，andopenedhalfherbosomtoher，aboutmyverysadloveaffair。NotthatsheletSallyknow，ofcourse，whoitwas，orwhatitwas；onlythatshemadeherunderstand，withouthintingatanydesireofit，thattherewasnochancenowofhavingme。Sallychangedcolouralittleatthis，andthenwentonaboutaredcowwhichhadpassedsevenneedlesatmilkingtime。
Inasmuchastherearetwosortsofmonthwellrecognisedbythecalendar，towitthelunarandthesolar，Imadeboldtoregardbothmymonths，intheabsenceofanyprovision，asintendedtobestrictlylunar。ThereforeupontheverydaywhentheeightweekswereexpiringforthIwentinsearchofLorna，takingthepearlringhopefully，andallthenew-laideggsIcouldfind，andadozenandahalfofsmalltroutfromourbrook。Andthepleasureitgavemetocatchthosetrout，thinkingaseveryonecameforthanddanceduponthegrass，howmuchshewouldenjoyhim，ismorethanIcannowdescribe，althoughIwellrememberit。Anditstruckmethatafteracceptingmyring，andsayinghowmuchshelovedme，itwaspossiblethatmyQueenmightinvitemeeventostayandsupwithher：
andsoIarrangedwithdearAnniebeforehand，whowasnowthegreatestcomforttome，toaccountformyabsenceifIshouldbelate。
Butalas，Iwasutterlydisappointed；foralthoughI