“None at all; no one is offended at being taken or mistaken for a young gentleman, whether runaway or not; but from whence do you suppose I have run away?”
“Why, from college,” said the man: “no offence?”
“None whatever; and what induced me to run away from college?”
“A love affair, I’ll be sworn,” said the postillion. “You had become acquainted with this young gentle woman, so she and you—”
“Mind how you get on, friend,” said Belle, in a deep serious tone.
“Pray proceed,” said I; “I dare say you mean no offence.”
“None in the world,” said the postillion; “all I was going to say was that you agreed to run away together, you from college and she from boarding-school. Well, there’s nothing to be ashamed of in a matter like that, such things are done every day by young folks in high life.”
“Are you offended?” said I to Belle.
Belle made no answer; but, placing her elbows on her knees, buried her face in her hands.
“So we ran away together?” said I.