demanded Peter , forgetting the Story Girl 's dislike of interruptions . `` Hush , '' whispered Cecily . `` That is only one of the Awkward Man 's poetical touches , I guess . '' `` There were cultivated fields between the grove and the dark blue gulf ; but far behind and on each side were woods , for Prince Edward Island a hundred years ago was not what it is today . The settlements were few and scattered , and the population so scanty that old Hugh Townley boasted that he knew every man , woman and child in it . `` Old Hugh was quite a noted man in his day . He was noted for several things -- he was rich , he was hospitable , he was proud , he was masterful -- and he had for daughter the handsomest young woman in Prince Edward Island . `` Of course , the young men were not blind to her good looks , and she had so many lovers that all the other girls hated her -- '' `` You bet ! '' said Dan , aside -- `` But the only one who found favour in her eyes was the very last man she should have pitched her fancy on , at least if old Hugh were the judge . Kenneth MacNair was a dark-eyed young sea-captain of the next settlement , and it was to meet him that Ursula stole to the beechwood on that autumn day of crisp wind and ripe sunshine . Old Hugh had forbidden his house to the young man , making such a scene of fury about it that even Ursula 's high spirit quailed . Old Hugh had really nothing against Kenneth himself ; but years before either Kenneth or Ursula was born , Kenneth 's father had beaten Hugh Townley in a hotly contested election . Political feeling ran high in those days , and old Hugh had never forgiven the MacNair his victory . The feud between the families dated from that tempest in the provincial teapot , and the surplus of votes on the wrong side was the reason why , thirty years after , Ursula had to meet her lover by stealth if she met him at all . '' `` Was the MacNair a Conservative or a Grit ? '' asked Felicity . `` It does n't make any difference what he was , '' said the Story Girl impatiently . `` Even a Tory would be romantic a hundred years ago . Well , Ursula could n't see Kenneth very often , for Kenneth lived fifteen miles away and was often absent from home in his vessel . On this particular day it was nearly three months since they had met .
`` The Sunday before , young Sandy MacNair had been XXXXX Carlyle church .
Of On against behind between for from in since to