Major Gordon could not but acknowledge this last pointed reference to himself with a profound bow, but it was with difficulty he refrained from a smile, especially when, glancing at Kate, he saw the suppressed mirth which laughed in her eyes.
“Well, aunt,” demurely said the niece, “Major Gordon will be so good, I hope, as to consider what I said to be unsaid—”
“Certainly,” gravely replied the Major.
“Nevertheless, I may say,” continued Kate, in the same tone, “that he won’t misinterpret me, when I add that I, at least, am not a bit afraid. Our family has been so long in this part of the country, and has labored so sincerely for the good of the people,” she added, more seriously, “that no one but an outlaw, and a villain of the worst kind at that, would harm us.”
“You must not be too sure, Miss Aylesford,” answered their guest. “These refugees, or pine robbers, as we call them in Monmouth county, are becoming very daring over the whole extent of territory, from this and even further east and north, to Maurice river and the Delaware. It was principally to guard the stores at the Forks from their attacks, that my little detachment has been stationed there.”
“So I tell this willful girl,” interposed Mrs. Warren. “I say to her continually, say I, that it isn’t safe for her to ride out alone, as she used to do, and wishes to do now.”
“You are fond of riding?” said the Major, his eye lighting up as he turned to Kate; for he thought a woman never looked more beautiful than in the saddle.
“Passionately,” answered Kate. Then, coloring at her enthusiasm, she continued— “That is, I like it, when I have a good horse.”
“An article in which, I presume, you must be deficient at present, not having expected, as I understand, to reside here, but in New York.”
“I always designed living here, if it was practicable,” replied Kate. “And as for a horse, I am not so unprovided as might be thought; for the stables were kept up, in some degree at least, notwithstanding our absence; and I find a six-year old here, which I am sure I could ride.”