I saw at once that uncle thought I had been frightened without cause, and put my alarm down to my having been alone, but I did not say more then lest I should disturb my aunt and Charlotte, who were already looking up and waiting to hear what had occurred; but I was none the less well assured in my own mind that robbery was intended and devoutly thankful to have been preserved.
CHAPTER XIII.
Charlotte was to accompany uncle to Cape Town this morning, some friends having begged him to bring her in to spend the day with them. She was charmed at being allowed to accede to the proposal, and quite agreed this time in the wisdom of securing the cool hours of the day for driving. I found her sitting in our open carriage, ready and waiting for uncle, sooner than necessary.
"How much I wish you were coming too, Mechie, instead of staying by yourself in this stupid place!" she said to me, turning up her handsome face, bright with smiles, as leaning over the balcony rails I awaited her departure.
"Don't you remember when we were coming here, Lotty, I told you I should be so greatly vexed to go without you, and you said, 'All the vexation will be on your side, then, for I should not care a bit'? Well, that's my answer to you now," I replied, laughing.
"Ah, well, there's no accounting for tastes," rejoined Charlotte in a tone of commiserating superiority; "you always were, and I suppose always will be, a queer, incomprehensible little thing."
"Come, Lotty," I said, feeling rather piqued by the implied contempt of her words, "confess honestly, which is most desirable, to find sources of enjoyment in every place, or be dependent always upon external excitements?"
But Lotty was in no mood for grave remonstrances, and while she was still laughing our uncle entered and the carriage drove up. He nodded a farewell to me, and Lotty looking back cried out gayly: "Good-bye, Mechie."