It was plain that the marrying of a number of young couples was looked upon as part of the May Day sports.

It was a pretty enough sight to see some of the flower-crowned blushing girls in their festal white, led along by their gaily-bedecked swains in the direction of the church, which was hard by the open village green.

Some other importunate youths were eagerly pleading their cause, and striving to drag their mistresses to the nuptial altar amid the laughter and encouragement of the bystanders.
Cuthbert moved along in search of his companions, greatly amused by all he saw and heard; and presently he caught sight of Kate and Culverhouse standing together close beside the church, half hidden within a small embrasure enclosed between two buttresses.

Her face was covered with brilliant blushes, whilst he had hold of her hand, and seemed to be pleading with her with impassioned earnestness.

As Cuthbert approached he heard these words: "Nay, sweetest Kate, why hold back?
Have we not loved each other faithfully and long?
Why dost thou fear ?" "O Culverhouse, methinks it would be wrong.