“Here, lass, a kiss and a crown for your pains,” said the stranger, making a sudden attempt to catch her by the arm.
But Lady Betty danced off as light as a feather, laughing roguishly under her hood.
“Nay, sir,” she said wickedly, “girls do not kiss strangers in this country if they do—in France!”
“Confound the witch!” ejaculated the traveller, with a start of surprise. “Pshaw! ’twas my French coin she saw,” he added, and smiled as he watched the two girlish figures flying through the trees.
Meanwhile Lady Betty was laughing and Alice remonstrating.
“Oh, my lady, how could you?” she said; “he might recognize you, he might have kissed you!”
“So he might!” admitted Lady Clancarty gleefully, “and how handsome he is! Did you mark him, Alice, is he not handsome?”
“Nay, madam,” said the discreet handmaid, still shocked and frightened, “that I know not, but he was overbold in staring at your ladyship.”
“Did he so?” asked Lady Betty pensively, blushing in a tell-tale fashion; “I noted it not; but was he not tall and strong and finely framed, Alice, with a bonny gray eye?”
“Oh, comely enough in appearance, my lady, but bold and with a reckless air; I trembled lest he should insult you.”