“Those long, hot summer afternoons spent by her in gathering devil’s-bit and hawkweed in perilous proximity to that troubling symbol, had seduced her mind long before Sir Walter seduced her body. It was natural enough, therefore, for this corrupt rogue to come soon to prefer⁠—”

Here he laid down his pen and contemplated once more the Squire’s notes, which ran as follows:

“Cerne Giant⁠—real virginity unknown in Dorset⁠—‘cold maids’ a contradiction⁠—Sir Walter’s disgust⁠—His erudition⁠—His platonic tastes⁠—How he was misunderstood by a lewd parson⁠—”

“Cerne Giant⁠—real virginity unknown in Dorset⁠—‘cold maids’ a contradiction⁠—Sir Walter’s disgust⁠—His erudition⁠—His platonic tastes⁠—How he was misunderstood by a lewd parson⁠—”