She threw herself into a deep-cushioned chair by the fire, and covered her pale and quivering face with her hands.
A few moments passed, and Anglesea entered, closing the door behind him.
“Well, Friday!” he said, as he advanced and threw himself into a chair opposite to her at the fireside. “I have been watching the house, from the top of the hill, with a telescope in my hand, from morning until night for two days, waiting for a chance to speak to you alone.”
“That must have been a great trial for a man of your good appetite and love of ease,” replied the lady, with a curl of her lip.
“Not at all! I came out in a comfortable top buggy, which I drove myself, and brought a luncheon of cold ham and canvas-back duck and a flask of brandy. Tied the horse under a tree out of sight of the house, and stood where I could command a full view of the premises without being seen. All day yesterday, as long as it was light enough to see, I watched in vain. No one left the house, except the gallant, gay, young midshipman—the walking gentleman of this light comedy. So I went back to mine inn late at night, and much disappointed. This morning I was here very early, but waited until near noon before anything happened! Then I saw the squire and the rector ride forth together and take the road to Benedict. Then I made a descent upon the fort. So you have my Californian sweetheart staying with you?” he exclaimed, in a light and taunting manner.
“Sir!” said Elfrida Force, in a tone of haughty indignation.
“Oh, come now, Friday, you never really supposed that woman from Wild Cats’ to be my wife! And, as for the lighter relationship, I need have no qualms in confessing it to you. A confidence of that kind could not shock you.”
A crimson tide of shame and wrath swept over the lady’s cheeks and brow, but she controlled her indignation, and kept silence.
“You have no idea how free and easy I feel in your society, Friday. With everybody I feel ill at ease, because I must play a part and seem other than I am. But with you I can be myself. With you I can speak of my bonnes fortunes as to a confidential friend.”
“Col. Anglesea, if you are trying to cast reflection upon the good name of the worthy woman from California who is our guest, your labor is in vain. We know that she is your lawful wife,” said Mrs. Force.