“There, did you see that?” cried Perseverance, with a sudden start. “Upon my life, Hope Vines jumped off that cliff, the whole hight, and then walked home as if nothing had happened. No goat can do such a thing without help of some kind. I could swear I saw a shape holding her up—there—I am sure I did, and it ran toward the woods in the shape of a black cat.”
All eyes were turned in the direction indicated, where most certainly was to be seen a harmless cat, making her way stealthily, in pursuit of birds—a black, crafty, cruel beast when intent on such game.
John Bonyton now entered with a fine bass, which he laid upon the shelf. He bowed slightly to Dame Higgins, but, observing her work, expressed interest in its progress. It was wonderful how whist the four women became upon his entrance, which observing, he passed out again, saying, with a grave smile, which well became his handsome face:
“I am sure I nipped some woman’s story in the bud by coming in, so I will even go, that ye may finish it,” and he went out again, whereat Dame Higgins exclaimed:
“Ye surely put all your beauty into that boy, mistress, and saved little for your girls.”
Both the girls pouted somewhat at this, but Perseverance hummed:
“What care I how black I be!
Forty pounds will marry me!”
And Dame Higgins soon after took her leave, followed to the door by Mistress Bonyton, who implored her to give no currency to their recent conversation.
“The time is not yet ripe,” she continued. “The Governor is powerful, and Mistress Vines well esteemed. We must proceed with caution. John is not to be trifled with, as ye may judge, and his father is strong and willful. We must proceed only upon sure grounds.”