"At least, we shall appreciate the latter."
The Governor looked at her rather quizzically. "Yes, I reckon you will," he said. "At least, if you do not, it will be the first time." His eyes fell on one, in the red and blue of the Royal Americans, who just emerged from the house, and was hesitating on the piazza, as though uncertain whether to descend. "It seems to me there is something familiar in that personage. Do you know him?"
Martha turned and looked.
"Oh!" she said, "I do not want to see him. Why does he pester me?"
"Nevertheless, my dear, he is there; and I see he is coming here. So take him off and make game of him, playing him this way and that; a bit of encouragement, a vast disdain; and, then, send him off again a little more securely hooked than ever.... Good morning, Captain Herford, were you looking for us, or, rather, were you looking for one of us?"
Charles Herford bowed, elaborately, his hand upon his sword-hilt, his hat across his heart.
"If your Excellency please, I was," he said.
"Which one: Mistress Martha Stirling or Horatio Sharpe?" asked the Governor, arising.
"Mistress Stirling, so please you," said Herford, with another bow.
"Then, I bid you good morning!" the Colonel laughed, and returned to the house.