"Perhaps that is best," said the gentleman; "so get on your things; we have a long ride before us."
I started to obey him, but all at once a doubt seized upon me. Who were these people? I did not know them. Mr. Olmsly, my guardian, I had been informed, was an old man. What right had these people to take me away from my home?
I stole back to the gentleman, trembling, and filled with sudden apprehension.
"Please tell me who you are," I said; "Mr. Olmsly! I thought he was an old man."
"And so he is," answered the gentleman, smiling pleasantly, "but he is not very well, and so his daughter came after you in his place. This is Miss Olmsly."
The young lady stooped down and kissed me. My arms stole around her neck unawares, and from that moment I loved her dearly. When I turned away from the young lady's caresses, her companion said,—
"Now you would like to know who I am; isn't that so?"
I nodded my head, feeling that I could tell at once who he was.
"Her brother, I am sure of that, you are both so—so—pleasant."
I was about to say "handsome," but changed it to the less flattering word.