“Yes,” answered Aylesford, as he proceeded to mount his horse. “But it’s nearly noon, and I must be at Sweetwater by dinner-time.”
With these words, he put spurs to his horse and disappeared in the forest.
CHAPTER XXV.
TREACHERY
Thus do all traitors;
If their purgation did consist in words,
They are as innocent as grace itself. —Shakespeare.
Thou art a traitor and a miscreant;
Too good to be so, and too bad to live. —Shakespeare.
Circumstances favored the wishes of Aylesford even more than he had dared to hope, for that evening, at the teatable, Kate announced her intention of riding over, on the following morning, to Uncle Lawrence’s. She had heard of the destruction of Widow Bates’ dwelling, and understanding that the houseless family was sheltered at Mr. Herman’s for the present, desired to ascertain in what way she could best assist them.
Aylesford had been watching for an opportunity, the whole afternoon, to fulfill his promise to the outlaw; but none had offered. He, therefore, heard this announcement with pleasure. But, in order to prevent suspicion from afterwards resting on himself, he ventured to suggest that it was scarcely safe for Kate to venture out.
“Surely,” were his words, as he looked at Mrs. Warren rather than at his cousin, “if the refugees are so daring as to burn houses on Sunday, they will not be afraid to rob, and perhaps insult, a defenceless lady on Tuesday.”
“Suppose you go with me, Charles,” said Kate looking up.
To understand this frank offer, it is necessary to recall the fact that, as but one person, beside the actors, had witnessed the rencontre between Aylesford and Major Gordon, and as Uncle Lawrence had wisely kept his own counsel, Kate was ignorant of the affair. She naturally concluded, therefore, that her cousin’s threat had been an idle one. In his calmer moments he had, she reasoned, repented of his angry violence. She accordingly resolved to exhibit, by a conciliatory manner, her appreciation of this conduct.