She, however, had not time to rally her thoughts, before Dunwoodie
entered one door, as Miss Peyton, with the readiness of female instinct,
retired through another.
The countenance of Peyton was flushed, and an air of vexation and
disappointment pervaded his manner.
"'Twas imprudent, Frances; nay, it was unkind," he cried, throwing
himself in a chair, "to fly at the very moment that I had assured him of
safety! I can almost persuade myself that you delight in creating points
of difference in our feelings and duties."
"In our duties there may very possibly be a difference," returned his
mistress, approaching, and leaning her slender form against the wall;
"but not in our feelings, Peyton. You must certainly rejoice in the
escape of Henry!"
"There was no danger impending. He had the promise of Harper; and it is
a word never to be doubted. O Frances! Frances! had you known the man,
you would never have distrusted his assurance; nor would you have again
reduced me to this distressing alternative."
"What alternative?" asked Frances, pitying his emotions deeply, but
eagerly seizing upon every circumstance to prolong the interview.
"What alternative! Am I not compelled to spend this night in the saddle
to recapture your brother, when I had thought to lay my head on its
pillow, with the happy consciousness of having contributed to his
release? You make me seem your enemy; I, who would cheerfully shed the
last drop of blood in your service.
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