“This is news,” answered Aylesford, joyfully, filling his glass. “Let us drink to his most sacred Majesty, and confusion to all traitors.”
“With my whole heart. The toast is good and the liquor better.”
“It is this which has brought you back? Under the shelter of the royal wing you think you can safely resume your former pranks?”
“Yes, if nothing better turns up. I’ve some old scores to wipe off, and began them yesterday.”
And he narrated his outrage at the widow Bates’ farm, describing, with boisterous glee, the rueful face which the widow must have worn when she returned home and saw but the smoking ashes of her late dwelling.
“But,” said Aylesford, “the people will know your mark, and hunt you down at once. I shouldn’t be surprised if old Herman was already on your trail.”
“They’ll have enough to do to take care of themselves,” was the cool reply. “Before another week, I’ll burn old Herman himself out, like a rat in his hole. There is not many men left in these parts anyhow, and the attack on the Neck will take away what few there are. I owe a debt to another, Jack Sanders, whom I’ll not let off so easily. I carry two of his buckshot still in me; and I’ve sworn to have a life for each one; himself and his wife, if possible; if not, others of his family.”
“And now, what’s the matter with you?” resumed Arrison. “Even this good news can’t make you look pleased more than a minute. Come, drown care in a cup.” And filling his glass again, he handed the bottle to his guest. “What, not drink? It must be something very serious, then.”
“I have to return to Sweetwater, you know. My cousin and aunt are there.”
“I’d forgot. And it wouldn’t do, so early in the day, to show signs of a debauch.” He interlarded this and all his other speeches profusely with oaths. “And how are the good ladies?” he added. “Miss Kate must be grown up into a beauty, if all I hear is true. Ah! you change color. You frown. I have it at last,” he continued, slapping his hand on the table and bursting into a laugh, “it’s about her that you’re so cursedly cross.”