With them at my heels I went back to her, and, giving her my hand, was making for the nearest minister, when a voice at a little distance hailed me, crying out, "This way, Captain Percy!" I turned toward the voice, and beheld the great figure of Master Jeremy Sparrow sitting, cross-legged like the Grand Turk, upon a grassy hillock, and beckoning to me from that elevation.
"Our acquaintance hath been of the shortest," he said genially, when the maid, the witnesses, and I had reached the foot of the hillock, "but I have taken a liking to you and would fain do you a service.

Moreover, I lack employment.

The maids take me for a hedge parson, and sheer off to my brethren, who truly are of a more clerical appearance.

Whereas if they could only look upon the inner man! You have been long in choosing, but have doubtless chosen"-- He glanced from me to the woman beside me, and broke off with open mouth and staring eyes.

There was excuse, for her beauty was amazing.