Hope Leslie, or Early Times in the Massachusetts

When Hope does not return to the Winthrop’s home, everyone is alarmed. Everell, his father, and Cradock leave the house to search for her, but they fail to find her. When Everell returns, he sees her at the door, wrapped in Sir Philip’s cloak. Sir Philip is nearby. There is a suspicious air about the scene. She asks Everell to tell everyone that she is drenched and tired, wanting only to go to her room, but they hear her and burst out of the drawing room, demanding explanations for her absence. Winthrop scolds her. The Sabbath evening is for acts of devotion and piety, not leisurely walks. He says that she is taking too many liberties with his generosity. Hope refuses to defend herself, saying that if she were to tell the truth, she would betray her own conscience.

After everyone disperses, Everell speaks with Esther, who had defended Hope and said that she had done no wrong. Everell retires to his room and torments himself with his thoughts. If her meeting with Philip had been accidental, why had she not said so? Why not defend herself? He fears that she sees his love for her, and is determined to keep him at a remove, using Philip to maintain a proper distance between them.