"Hardly that," replied Fred, blushing.
"I am so glad it has ended well," continued Mrs. Spear; "you ran a terrible danger, and I should never have forgiven myself for letting you go out, if any evil had befallen you."
"I should never have forgiven myself if I had not been there to protect that brave young lady," answered Fred, firmly.
"Of course, a true knight must protect a fair lady," said Mrs. Spear. "And you were fortunate, Sir Knight, for Mabel Vaughn is one of the fairest of Louisville's daughters. It was just like her to brave any danger rather than conceal her colors. She is loyal to the core."
"She seems to be a very nice young lady," replied Fred, "and she is extremely pretty, too."
"What a pity you are not older," said Mrs. Spear, "so you could fall in love with each other and get married, just as they do in well-regulated novels."
"How do you know that I am not in love with her now?" answered Fred, his eyes sparkling with merriment; "and as for my youth, I will grow."
"Oh! in that case, I am really sorry," replied Mrs. Spear, "for I think she is spoken for."
Fred assumed a tragic air, and said in bloodcurdling tones: "Where was the recreant lover that he did not protect her? Never shall my good sword rest until it drinks his craven blood."
Mrs. Spear laughed until she cried. "You will call on your lady love before you return?" she queried.