The old man bowed once more very meekly, and answered:
“I went after no harm, mistress.”
“Nor after any good, I’ll venture to say!—but that is not the point, sir. I ask you where you went! and I intend to have an answer.”
“I begs your pardon sincere, mistress, but mus’ ’cline for to ’form you.”
“You old villain! Do you dare to defy me here on my own premises? I’ll see about this!” exclaimed the lady, in a voice more shrill than ladylike, as with a flushed face and excited air she turned into the house to summon Colonel Houston.
But she was intercepted by Margaret, who had heard the voice, and now came from her own apartment and stood before her.
“Stay, Mrs. Houston, I sent Forrest away on an errand, last night, and if he declined to inform you whither he went, it was from no disrespect to you; but from fidelity to me. I had enjoined him not to speak to any one of his errand,” she said, in a voice and manner so respectful as to take away everything offensive from her words.
“You did! Now then where did you send him, Margaret? I am your guardian, and I have a right to know.”
“You must forgive me, Mrs. Houston, if I decline to inform you,” replied the maiden, firmly, though still very respectfully.
“I know, however. It was to mail that letter.”