CHAPTER X



Sunday Evening--Ursula--Action at Law--Meridiana--Married Already.


I took tea that evening with Mr. and Mrs. Petulengro and Ursula,
outside of their tent. Tawno was not present, being engaged with
his wife in his own tabernacle; Sylvester was there, however,
lolling listlessly upon the ground. As I looked upon this man, I
thought him one of the most disagreeable fellows I had ever seen.
His features were ugly, and, moreover, as dark as pepper; and,
besides being dark, his skin was dirty. As for his dress, it was
torn and sordid. His chest was broad, and his arms seemed
powerful; but, upon the whole, he looked a very caitiff. "I am
sorry that man has lost his wife," thought I; "for I am sure he
will never get another." What surprises me is, that he ever found
a woman disposed to unite her lot with his!

After tea I got up and strolled about the field. My thoughts were
upon Isopel Berners. I wondered where she was, and how long she
would stay away. At length becoming tired and listless, I
determined to return to the dingle, and resume the reading of the
Bible at the place where I had left off. "What better could I do,"
methought, "on a Sunday evening?" I was then near the wood which
surrounded the dingle, but at that side which was farthest from the
encampment, which stood near the entrance. Suddenly, on turning
round the southern corner of the copse, which surrounded the