“I cannot, you are not ready,” he said apologetically. “Enough,” John’s mother cried, “Desist or I shall have cook bring a scold’s bridle and silence you. Desi xxx “Just the Lord of the Manor’s perogative sir,” the reverend insisted, “An elderly gentleman sir.”
“It was John, the son,” Sarah explained, “I cannot lie, it was ecstasy sir, I am undone, I cannot lie, I relished it, I cannot marry you any more than you can marry me.”
“No!”Countisbury cried, “It cannot be, it is intolerable!” and he stood up from the altar rail. “I cannot, you are not ready,” he said apologetically. “Friends, no, I believe I hate you,” she said quietly, “You abused me, good night.”
He lay back as the door closed, watching the candles guttering in the sudden draft as he listened
