But his curiosity was not destined to annoy him. Kate directly remembered that the gentlemen were strangers to each other, and proceeded to introduce them.
“Cousin, this is Major Gordon,” she said, turning to the new comer. “Major Gordon,” she said, turning to the latter, “my cousin Charles;” then correcting herself, she added, “Mr. Aylesford.”
The gentlemen bowed distantly. Kate’s cousin, with a supercilious air he did not attempt to conceal. Major Gordon, with a look, at first of surprise, and then of marked resentment.
“A cousin,” said the latter to himself, his whole feelings taking a sudden revulsion, “and I never even so much as heard one mentioned before! Strange! He seems to exercise more than a cousin’s authority over her.” And a jealous pang shot through his heart.
A constrained silence followed, which was first broken by the lady.
“When did you leave town, Charles?” she said.
“At daybreak this morning,” was the reply. Then, as if he could no longer contain himself, he said, emphasizing her name formally, “Really, Catharine, you do wrong in worrying your aunt in this way. She insists that you will come to harm, riding out in these troubled times.” And he looked as if he echoed the opinion. “But, above all, what or who induced you to go out to-day?”
“Oh! you forget,” answered Kate lightly, affecting not to notice this last remark, “that Major Gordon attends me.”
“I beg Major Gordon’s pardon,” said the cousin, without even an attempt to conceal a sneer. “I had quite overlooked that circumstance, which of course insures your safety, though unfortunately it does not, it seems, prevent your aunt’s alarm.”
Kate’s face was crimson at these words. But she said nothing, and did not even look to Major Gordon to implore his forbearance, as the latter, with a lover’s exacting nature, thought she ought. The consequence was that the Major, already jealous of the cousin, became irritated at Kate herself; and insensibly drawing his horse to one side, left Mr. Aylesford and lady to ride together; for, during this conversation, the speakers had set off slowly towards Sweetwater.