"A good girl—a very good girl!" repeated Sir Christopher: "as good as you are pretty—for you are pretty—and I've often remarked it."
The arm thrown around Sir Christopher's neck pressed him gently.
"And I really do not know how to reward you sufficiently, my dear girl," he added, new ideas entering his mind.
Again the arm pressed him tenderly.
Sir Christopher could resist the exciting contiguity no longer; and he fairly kissed the cheek that was so close to his lips.
Charlotte sighed again, but did not withdraw her face.
"Really this is very ridiculous!" exclaimed the knight. "Here we are, galloping along like lightning—and without any particular object that I know of. Upon my word, I have a great mind—a very great mind to revenge myself on both Miss Mordaunt and Master Frank at one and the same time!"
"In what way, Sir Christopher!" asked Charlotte, in a languidly murmuring tone.
"By marrying you, my dear," was the emphatic response.
"Oh! Sir Christopher—is it possible—such happiness!" sighed Charlotte, again embracing him in the most tender manner.