CHAPTER XXV 351
my hopes were too bright to be realised ; and I had enjoyed so much bliss lately that I imagined my fortune had passed its meridian , and must now decline .
" Well , I cannot return to the house ," I thought ; " I cannot sit by the fireside , while he is abroad in inclement weather : better tire my limbs than strain my heart ; I will go forward and meet him ."
I set out ; I walked fast , but not far : ere I had measured a quarter of a mile , I heard the tramp of hoofs ; a horseman came on , full gallop ; a dog ran by his side . Away with evil presentiment ! It was he : here he was , mounted on Mesrour , followed by Pilot . He saw me ; for the moon had opened a blue field in the sky , and rode in it watery bright : he took his hat off , and waved it round his head . I now ran to meet him .
" There !" he exclaimed , as he stretched out his hand and bent from the saddle : " You can ' t do without me , that is evident . Step on my boot-toe ; give me both hands : mount !"
I obeyed : joy made me agile : I sprang up before him . A hearty kissing I got for a welcome , and some boastful triumph , which I swallowed as well as I could . He checked himself in his exultation to demand , " But is there anything the matter , Janet , that you come to meet me at such an hour ? Is there anything wrong ?"
" No , but I thought you would never come . I could not bear to wait in the house for you , especially with this rain and wind ."
" Rain and wind , indeed ! Yes , you are dripping like a mermaid ; pull my cloak round you : but I think you are feverish , Jane : both your cheek and hand are burning hot . I ask again , is there anything the matter ?
" Nothing now ; I am neither afraid nor unhappy ." " Then you have been both ?"