He had a good deal to say about Bates, and more about Sissy Cameron, and Sophia found that she had a good deal to say in answer.
The churn was a hideous American patent, but light and very convenient.
They talked to the monotonous splash of the milk within, and as work was not being interrupted, Alec was at length asked to sit down on the worn doorstep, and he remained there until the butter "came." He had gone up in Sophia's esteem many degrees, because she saw now that any escape of warmer sentiment had been involuntary on his part.

She blessed him in her heart for being at once so susceptible and so strong.

She fancied that there was a shade of sadness in his coolness which lent it attraction.

With that shadow of the epicurean which is apt to be found upon all civilised hearts, she felt that it did her good to realise how nice he was, just as a fresh flower or a strong wind would have done her good.

She said to him that she supposed he would not be staying much longer in Chellaston, and he replied that as soon as Bates would go and his brother was on his feet again he intended to leave for the West.
Then he begged her to lose no time in seeing Eliza, for Bates had taken to hobbling about the roads, and he thought a sudden and accidental meeting with the girl might be the death of him.
Now this assertion of Alec's, that Bates had taken to walking out of doors, was based on the fact told him by Mrs.Martha and his brother, that the day before Bates had wilfully walked forth, and after some hours came back much exhausted.