“Outcry!” echoed Katy, panting for breath. “Is it not disparagement enough to lose a silver spoon, but I must be left alone in this lonesome place, to be robbed, and perhaps murdered? Harvey would not serve me so; when I lived with Harvey, I was always treated with respect at least, if he was a little close with his secrets, and wasteful of his money.”
“Then, madam, you once formed part of the household of Mr. Harvey
Birch?”
“You may say I was the whole of his household,” returned the other; “there was nobody but I, and he, and the old gentleman. You didn’t know the old gentleman, perhaps?”
“That happiness was denied me. How long did you live in the family of
Mr. Birch?”
“I disremember the precise time, but it must have been hard on upon nine years; and what better am I for it all?”
“Sure enough; I can see but little benefit that you have derived from the association, truly. But is there not something unusual in the movements and character of this Mr. Birch?”
“Unusual is an easy word for such unaccountables!” replied Katy, lowering her voice and looking around her. “He was a wonderful disregardful man, and minded a guinea no more than I do a kernel of corn. But help me to some way of joining Miss Jinitt, and I will tell you prodigies of what Harvey has done, first and last.”
“You will!” exclaimed the trooper, musing. “Here, give me leave to feel your arm above the elbow. There—you are not deficient in bone, let the blood be as it may.” So saying, he gave the spinster a sudden whirl, that effectually confused all her faculties, until she found herself safely, if not comfortably, seated on the crupper of Lawton’s steed.
“Now, madam, you have the consolation of knowing that you are as well mounted as Washington. The nag is sure of foot, and will leap like a panther.”
“Let me get down,” cried Katy, struggling to release herself from his iron grasp, and yet afraid of falling. “This is no way to put a woman on a horse; besides, I can’t ride without a pillion.”