"No; for if the gallows had its dues——"
"You wouldn't be here to-day," interrupted Gipsy.
"Come—don't interrupt me, young woman. I positively forbid you or any one in this place riding out while Big Tom's roaming about."
"That's right, Guardy—show your authority. Nothing like keeping it up, you know. And now, as I'm off to give Mignonne an airing, I'll think of your commands by the way."
And the disobedient elf arose to leave the room.
"But, my dear, tantalizing little coz, it really is dangerous," interrupted Louis. "If you were to encounter this gigantic negro, alone, it would be rather a serious affair, I'm afraid."
"Bother!" exclaimed the polite and courteous Mrs. Wiseman. "Do you s'pose I'm afraid—Gipsy Gower afraid! Whew! I like that! Make your mind easy, my dear Louis. I could face a regiment on Mignonne's back without flinching."
And Gipsy darted off to don her riding-habit, singing as she went:
"Some love to roam
O'er the dark sea foam,
Where the shrill winds whistle free;
But a chosen band
In the mountain land,
And a life in the woods for me."
Ten minutes afterward they saw her ride out of the court-yard at her usual furious rate, and dash away over the hills, where she was speedily out of sight.