Her father was wont to call her his Madcap, and her mother sometimes chided, and feared she would come to ill by her wild freaks; but she had always turned up safe and sound, and her independent ways had almost ceased to excite comment or uneasiness.
On May Day, when all the world was abroad and in good humour, they would trouble still less on her account.

Kate had no fear of being overtaken and brought back, and had set her heart on going with Culverhouse to this village fete and fair.

She had heard much of it, yet had never seen it.

Sure this was the very day on which to go.
Culverhouse would have gone to the moon with her had she asked it--or would at least have striven to do so--and his assent was cordially given.

Cuthbert knew the place well; and Kate was quickly mounted on the palfrey, Culverhouse walking at her bridle-rein, whilst Cuthbert walked on ahead to choose the safest paths, and warn them of any peril in the road.