midnight of the 20th June 18
Had she commanded me to drink up eisel or eat a crocodile , I would have done it . I read . The address of the letter was Eaton Square : the date , the 20th of June thirteen years before . The wording as follows : -- `` In consideration of the sum of Ten thousand pounds I the undersigned Gaston de Nérac promise and undertake from this moment not to hold any communication by word or writing with Miss Joanna Rushworth for the space of two years -- that is to say until midnight of the 20th June 18 -- . Should however Miss Joanna Rushworth be married in the meantime , I solemnly undertake on my honour as a gentleman not of my own free will to hold any communication with her whatever as long as I live , or should circumstances force us to meet , not to acquaint her in any way with the terms of this agreement , whereof I hold myself bound by the spirit as well as by the letter . GASTON DE NÉRAC . '' * * * * * My young and unpractised mind required some minutes to realise the meaning of this precious agreement .