“Very sorry, sir, but they’re all engaged. Just step in, sir, you and your good lady, sir.”
Pet fancied she heard a low, sweet laugh from under the thick, brown veil, and the gentleman smiled as he followed the bustling host into the well-sanded parlor.
In one moment Pet was off her horse, and consigning him to the care of the hostler, darted in by a side-door and rung a peal that presently brought the hostess, a pleasant-faced, fat, little woman, in a tremendous flutter, into the room.
“Laws! Miss Petronilla, is it you? Why, you haven’t been to see me this long time. How do you do?”
“I’m very well, thank you, Mrs. Gudge; but see here—did you notice that gentleman and lady who have just gone into the parlor?”
“That tall, handsome young man, with all them there mustaches?—yes, I seen him, Miss Pet.”
“Well, do you know who he is?”
“No; though it does kinder seem to me as if I’d seen him somewhere before. The lady, his wife, I take it, kept her veil down, and I couldn’t see her face. No; I don’t know ’em, Miss Pet.”
“Well, that don’t matter; I do. And now, Mrs. Gudge, I want you to help me in a splendid piece of—of—”
“Mischief, Miss Pet,” said the woman, slyly.