CHAPTER 9: The Wise Woman.
"Cuthbert! alas, Cuthbert!" "Why, how now?
What ails thee, Cherry ?" "Cuthbert, my father hath been speaking with me." "Well, and wherefore not?
Thy father is no stern tyrant like mine, sweet coz." Cherry was panting with excitement and what appeared like terror.
She clung fast to Cuthbert's arm, and her eyes were dilated with fear.

She was an excitable little mortal, so he did not feel any great alarm at her looks, but strove to reassure her in a friendly, brotherly fashion.

The Christmas festivities and excitements, which had lasted above a week, had doubtless done something to upset the balance of her mind.

She had been so extravagantly and overwhelmingly happy with the remembrance of her adventure at Lord Andover's house, and her knowledge of the secret between herself and Cuthbert, that the young man had felt half afraid lest she should contrive to betray it to others by her blushes, her bright, fitful glances, and her newborn softness in his presence, which gave a sweeter quality to her childish charms.

He himself did not wish Martin Holt to be aware that anything had passed between him and Cherry till he could come boldly forward and ask her at her father's hands, having the wherewithal to support her.