If he did not linger, but pursued his way to London without delay, he might reach it by nightfall, and that was no small inducement to him.
Petronella knew that he was bound thither; she would not reckon on seeing him again.

And there was Cherry at the other end.

The thought of seeing her again that very day drew him onwards like a magnet.

During these long weeks of search and hard toil, the thought of Cherry had been the best sweetener of his labour.

He had talked of her with his sister, he had dreamed of her when he lay down to sleep at night, and now he was on his way to see her, to tell her all the tale, and ask her at her father's hand.