All things considered, she declared, the uncertainty of the school, the labour, Baptista's natural dislike for teaching, it would be as well to take what fate offered, and make the best of matters by wedding her father's old neighbour and prosperous friend.
The Easter holidays came round, and Baptista went to spend them as usual in her native isle, going by train into Off-Wessex and crossing by packet from Pen-zephyr.

When she returned in the middle of April her face wore a more settled aspect.
'Well ?' said the expectant Mrs.Wace.
'I have agreed to have him as my husband,' said Baptista, in an off-hand way.

'Heaven knows if it will be for the best or not.

But I have agreed to do it, and so the matter is settled.' Mrs.Wace commended her; but Baptista did not care to dwell on the subject; so that allusion to it was very infrequent between them.
Nevertheless, among other things, she repeated to the widow from time to time in monosyllabic remarks that the wedding was really impending; that it was arranged for the summer, and that she had given notice of leaving the school at the August holidays.

Later on she announced more specifically that her marriage was to take place immediately after her return home at the beginning of the month aforesaid.
She now corresponded regularly with Mr.Heddegan.