Aylesford, for a moment, was embarrassed, but less by the offer than by the tone in which it was made. He attributed it, however, to its true cause. “She would be very far from being so affable,” he moodily thought, “if she knew all.”
“I am sorry,” he said, “that I cannot accompany you,” addressing his cousin. “But I leave, as early as possible, for the mouth of the river.” And as he spoke, he looked around to see that none of the servants were within hearing.
“For the mouth of the river,” exclaimed Mrs. Warren and Kate in the same breath. “Deary me, what now’s the matter?” added the aunt.
Aylesford made no direct reply, but began whistling the Jacobite air, “Over the water to Charlie.”
“What does he mean?” said Mrs. Warren, looking in alarm at Kate.
“I suppose he is going to join his Majesty’s troops,” answered our heroine. “But surely,” she added, addressing her cousin, “you choose a roundabout path.”
It must be confessed that Kate’s heart beat high even at the suspicion that Aylesford was going within the royal lines; for in that case he had concluded, she reasoned, to abandon his pretensions to her hand. She waited, therefore, for his reply with deep interest.
“What if his most gracious Majesty’s forces,” said her cousin, speaking low, and again glancing cautiously around, “were coming half way to meet me? What if there was a royal expedition at this moment lying in the bay below?”
“I hope not,” answered Kate, turning pale. “I sincerely hope not.”
“And why not?” asked Aylesford. “Is my fair cousin so much of a rebel to her king as to wish for the defeat of his Majesty’s cause.”