It was fortunate that this sentence was proclaimed at the end of the dance, for Miss Tyler was wholly disconcerted and could not make another move. The Doctor, seeing this with some amusement, therefore bowed, took her arm and escorted her back to their previous party.

Mr. Smith and Miss Jones, having stood up together – which would have given Miss Tyler lots of joy, were she not still in shock – gazed upon their friend with concern.

"My dear Rose, are you unwell?" Miss Jones exclaimed?

On this, Miss Tyler was finally able to pull herself together, and shaking her head, she quickly assured her friends: "Not at all, I am quite al right."

Then, looking at the Doctor, still residing at her side, she softly apologized: "Forgive me Doctor, I don't know what came over me. I'm quite al right now, thank you."

"The fault is all mine, Miss Tyler. I should have upheld decorum and not speak so freely. I do hope you will forgive me, and let this not stand in the way of any possible future engagements?"

A nod was all Miss Tyler could offer at this statement. Too embarrassed as to look him in the eye once more. The Doctor, bowing again, hereafter took his leave. And in no small share of astonishment, the whole party saw him leave the room entirely, after only a quick adieu to the host.

With many pressings and questions, Miss Jones soon after set herself to learn the whole tale from her friend. However Miss Tyler could not bring herself to put forth the entire conversation. She relented in sharing the information as to his whereabouts, which was scarce indeed. His sentiments of finding a wife, so artless and conscientious delivered in that intimate setting of him holding her hand, were still too fresh in her mind and too confusing in their meaning, to utter aloud.

What was she to make of this?

She took her leave in requesting a little quiet and fresh air, and found herself a bench in the garden directly attached to the house, on which she seated herself and began to overlook the whole of her knowledge of the Doctor.

His visiting of all the great houses in the neighbourhood, certainly befitted his declaration. You are not to find a wife, if you do not know whom to chose from. Even if the manner is somewhat strange, Miss Tyler could see the astuteness of his actions. Attending the ball was only the next logical move to make, in getting to know certain young ladies, whom had the honour of befalling his attention.

However leaving the party after only dancing two pairs of dances, did not exactly add up to him wanting to become better acquainted. Unless – But no, there she should not venture her thoughts. It was highly improbable of a man of high society, being known at court, rich to be sure and handsome at that, to form an opinion and make a decision so shortly after meeting one little girl from a small country town.

Having not the heart to enter into another conversation or much less stand up for another dance, Miss Tyler occupied herself with walking through the garden. Occasionally crossing the ballroom, to give ease to her friends and family as to her whereabouts.

It was not till the following morning, that Miss Jones had the opportunity to speak in a more private and confidential manner to her friend. At the earliest opportunity she called on Powell.

"Now pray tell me, dear Rose, what did the Doctor say that gave you such anxiety? I did not think it possible for such amiable man to give such distress."

"No, not at all, I was not distressed, and on the whole he did not say anything unfavourable. He simply startled me by the straightforwardness of his answering my question."

In seeing the curiosity written on Miss Jones face, Rose quickly explained: "He seemed determined at first to elude all my questions and I grew weary of that. So I pressed him in answering at least one inquiry without ado: the reason for his being here."

"And?"

Unable to keep from blushing at the remembrance of the scene, Miss Tyler softly replied: "He is looking for a wife."

"He said that? To you? In such a public place?"

"Those where his exact words, I assure you. I was so shocked, I could not make a move afterwards."

After some time considering and reconsidering what could possibly be the meaning of the words, the intentions of the announcer and the implications of his address to Miss Tyler, both young ladies decided to see the humour of the whole affair and had a heartily laugh. Until tears streamed down their cheeks and Mrs. Tyler came to inquire if they were quite al right.

Composing themselves, the young ladies agreed in silence, by exchange of a few winks and glances, not to enclose the matter to another soul. They followed Mrs. Tyler down in equanimity and enjoyed a lovely lunch in the garden.

Miss Jones soon after departed and Miss Tyler was left to her own pursuits. She sat with her mother for a while, unable to find much joy in handiworks and she soon went in search of her brother, whose lessons should not have commenced yet. He was the most likely person to give her some entertainment that would keep her mind from lingering.

Behind the estate – a comfortable living, which offered its inhabitants an annual sum of some seven thousand – there was a rather nice garden, that bordered a large forest. It was in this forest that Miss Tyler had first laid eyes on the bizarre blue box. When her quest of Anthony was unsuccessful, she next ventured in seeking the box once again.

She did not assume to meet anybody there, for the woods were quite dense and she did not stroll along the paths that were cultivated to aid the need of cool walks in the summer. Holding up her dress high to step over the trunks and low branches, she enjoyed the richness of nature, whilst looking out for raspberries and blueberries. She should have brought a basket, to bring some back with her for dinner. Yet for the moment she had to be content in enjoying them herself, while walking.

In quite easily imagining herself to be alone, her surprise on finding it the opposite was great indeed and only her hand covering her mouth made her withhold a scream. For seemingly appearing out of thin air, there stood before her the very man, of whom her thoughts had lingered so often the past days.

"Forgive me madam," he was quick to give reassurance. "I did not mean to startle you. I had not thought any one other than myself would walk out of bounds. I am delightfully mistaken."

Miss Tyler, having found some of her calmness, collected her thoughts and smiling, replied: "Sir Doctor, no apologies necessary. I often roam these parts, but you are the first I find equally committed in doing the extraordinary."

Upon her bold statement, the Doctor laughed cheerfully and once again conveyed his wish as to drop the Sir.

"In acknowledging the inappropriateness of the question, dare I nonetheless; considering the fact you are meandering the midst of a forest without company, offer you mine?"

"You may, Doctor, and I kindly accept it. Are you familiar with this part of the country?"

"I have visited here, now and then. Never in this particular day and age. I find it very favourable. I assume you have lived here your whole life?"

"You assume correct. I reckon not many people have the opportunity to travel abroad, while there are responsibilities to be attended to at home. And especially for children, there is no possibility other than the occasional trip to town or family."

The Doctor seemed to ponder a few moments, before he dared ask: "Do you – No, let me rephrase that: should such a possibility arise, would you be willing to? Travel, I mean?"

Miss Tyler thought this through, making use of the interruption of a large fallen tree, which required the assistance of the Doctor's hand, in climbing over it. Keeping his earlier statement in mind; his questioning her for her wish to travel, could only be to ascertain more information about whom to choose for a companion. Therefore, making the assumption that she was merely an option to him, she decided it was in her best interest to get him to be as honest and open as possible.

"If I may, Doctor, to ask of you, whether it is your intention to keep travelling, once you find a wife?"

A little taken aback by the forwardness of the question, the Doctor contemplated his options and on deciding, turned to face Miss Tyler.

Looking her in the eye, he finally replied: "You have a quick wit, Miss Tyler, and I compliment you for it. However, you require of me to be honest to a degree beyond the normal range of confidentiality. I am willing to comply, but first I must be frank, in fear of shocking you even more this time, and ascertain from you the readiness of becoming on intimate terms with me."

Miss Tyler was grateful for the dappled shades, made by the leaves above, to hide her blushes. Nevertheless, a little sensation of enchantment; induced by the wealth of the magnificent giants around them, gave her the spirit of equality, and dauntless she replied: "I appreciate your frankness. I have often observed the deeper emotions to be slave to societies restraint in name of sophistication and proper conduct. I am well educated in the ways of elegance and finesse, but my world is confined to this small part of England and I cannot perceive other than what is known to me."

Stepping away to sit on a nearby log, she continued, facing the Doctor directly: "I must say however, that the normal pursuits of young ladies, in becoming all that their mothers wish them to become, have never appealed to me. I am no great cook, have no joy in drawing or music, other than the pleasure to listen and dance, and I am in no great hurry to attach myself to some or other gentlemen, requiring those virtues in a wife."

In seeing nothing of distaste or disapproval appear on the Doctor's face, Miss Tyler found herself equal to the task in conveying her deepest desires and said: "If there, by change however, came by a man to whom these virtues meant no great deal, whose ideas of a well match existed of two people on such intimate terms, as by calling each other by their first names, as well as knowing each other by heart instead of by accomplishments; I would very much like to recommend myself to him."

On hearing this answer, the Doctor made no other reply than to kneel down, take her hand and plant a kiss on the back. The look in his eyes, upon glancing up, was unfathomable, although Miss Tyler imagined there to be a slight indication of awe.

"In being such a man, would you therefore do me the honour of granting me the pleasure of getting to know you as a friend, with hope of it becoming something more intimate, given time, my dear Miss Tyler?"

A nod was all the response necessary, and acting on an impulse Miss Tyler softly insisted: "Please, call me Rose."