Down in the village, with neighbours about her, the wench will be safe enough, and Will's sturdy arm will be her best protection.

Simon might think twice about assaulting a wedded woman to carry her away, when he would count a maid fair spoil, seeing that he ever claimed to be called a lover of hers.

So all ways she will be safer wed, and I see no cause for them to wait." And indeed in those unsettled and troubled times fathers were glad enough to get their daughters safely married at the first reasonable opportunity.

Farmer Devenish had another reason in wishing Joan to leave her home.

He was afraid that she might imbibe the views her mother had embraced, and which he and his son could not but give credence to, whilst they made no protest of having altered their old way of thinking.