These are cold, hard nights.

Promise me you'll lodge at the inns on the road; remember to keep yourself strong, for it's your only chance of finding Ralph--promise me!" "I give you my word, Rotha." "And now promise to say nothing of this to Willy," said Rotha.
Sim did not reply, but a quick glance expressed more than words of the certainty of secrecy in that regard.
"When you've crossed the Raise, follow on to Kendal," said Rotha, "and ask everywhere as you go.

A fortnight to-day the men return; remember that, and tell Ralph when you meet." "I fear he'll give himself up, I do," said Sim ruefully, and still half doubting his errand.
"That's for him to decide, and he knows best," answered Rotha.
"To-night, after supper, be you at the end of the lonnin, and I'll meet you there." Then Sim went out of the house.
* * * * * When Willy Ray left Rotha an hour ago it was with an overwhelming sense of disappointment.

Catching at an unfinished phrase, he had jumped to a false conclusion as to her motives.

He thought that he had mistaken her character, and painful as it had been to him some days ago to think that perhaps the girl had not loved him, the distress of that moment was as nothing to the agony of this one, when he began to suspect that perhaps he did not love her.