Exactly one year after he has last seen Miranda, Nicholas comes to Greenwich and has a note delivered by a stable boy to Ephraim at the Wells farm, saying that he is coming to discuss something "of great importance". Miranda knows what the letter means and is convinced that Nicholas will be able to placate her father and arrange for their marriage in the end. Then, she goes and puts on her green silk dress in preparation for his arrival, wearing the betrothal ring on her finger.
When Nicholas gets there, he kisses Miranda's hand, seems delighted to see her, and later asks to speak to Ephraim privately (at this point, Abigail is impressed by Nicholas, but she also has some misgivings about him, although she can't quite tell why). Then, Ephraim calls Miranda.....
