Even so she herself exulted in it, and threw all around nods and smiles, ay, and, alas, repartees conceived much in the same spirit as the jests that called them forth.

I could have cried on the earth to swallow me, not for my own sake (in itself the scene was entertaining enough, however little it might tend to edification), but on account of Mistress Barbara.

Fairly I was afraid to ride forward and see her face, and dreaded to remember that I had brought her to this situation.

But Nell laughed and jested, flinging back at me now and again a look that mocked my glum face and declared her keen pleasure in my perplexity and her scorn of Barbara's shame.

Where now were the tenderness and sympathy which had made their meeting beautiful?
The truce was ended and war raged relentless.
We came to our inn; I leapt from my horse and forestalled the bustling host in opening the coach door.