The squire came rather farther into the dark with them than he need have done, and wished Rosa good-night in a mysterious manner, slightly apart from the rest.
When they were walking along Joshua said, with desperate attempt at joviality, 'Rosa, what's going on ?' 'O, I--' she began between a gasp and a bound.

'He--' 'Never mind--if it disturbs you.' She was so excited that she could not speak connectedly at first, the practised air which she had brought home with her having disappeared.
Calming herself she added, 'I am not disturbed, and nothing has happened.
Only he said he wanted to ask me _something_, some day; and I said never mind that now.

He hasn't asked yet, and is coining to speak to you about it.

He would have done so to-night, only I asked him not to be in a hurry.

But he will come to-morrow, I am sure!'.