“Were you sorry to leave them?” were the questions rapidly poured in ere Cashel could reply to any one of them.
“I have often heard,” said Miss Kennyfeck, “that the greater mental ability of the white man is certain to secure him an ascendancy over the minds of savage tribes, and that, if he be spared at first, he is sure in the end to become their chief.”
“I believe they actually worship any display of intelligence above their own,” said Olivia.
“These are exaggerated accounts,” said Cashel, smiling. “Marriage is, among savage as among civilized nations, a great stepping-stone to eminence. When a white man is allied with a princess—”
“Oh, how shocking!” cried both together. “I'm sure no person, anything akin to a gentleman, could dream of such a thing,” said Miss Kennyfeck.
“It happens now and then, notwithstanding,” said Cashel, with a most provoking gravity.
While the sisters would have been well pleased had Cashel's personal revelations continued on this theme, they did not venture to explore so dangerous a path, and were both silent. Roland, too, appeared buried in some recollection of the past, for he rode on for some time without speaking,—a preoccupation on his part which seemed in no wise agreeable to his fair companions.
“There are the MacFarlines, Livy,” said Miss Kennyfeck; “and Linton, and Lord Charles, and the rest of them. I declare, I believe they see us, and are coming this way.”
“What a bore! Is there no means of escape? Mr. Cashel, pray invent one.”
“I beg pardon. What was it you said? I have been dreaming for the last three minutes.”