Pet did not reply. She did not hear him; in fact, being still lost in digesting her surprise at this astounding resemblance. He watched her for a moment as if waiting for an answer, and then a smile broke over his face. Pushing back his thick, clustering, raven hair, he said:
“Yes, look at me well, young lady. I presume you never saw an outlaw with a price upon his head before. Is it to curiosity alone, or is it to some concealed deformity, that I am indebted for that piercing scrutiny?”
Pet was aroused now, and reddened slightly at his words and look. Then her old impudence came back, and she answered quietly:
“No, you’re not the only outlaw with a price upon his head I have ever seen. I have just had the honor of holding an interview with one; though, really, I don’t think his head is worth a price above ten cents, if that. I suppose I have the sublime happiness of beholding his mightiness, the commander-in-chief of all the smugglers?”
“Even so! I have returned, you perceive, sooner than was expected; in fact, solely upon your account. I heard you were here, and came to see you.”
“Indeed! Well, I hope you like me?” said Pet, pertly.
“Most decidedly,” said the outlaw, passing his hand caressingly over his whiskers; “so much, in fact, that if I were not a married man I should be tempted to fall deplorably in love with you on the spot.”
“Well, you’ll greatly oblige me by doing nothing of the sort,” said Pet. “I have had enough of love to last me for one while. Love’s not the pleasantest thing in the world, judging by what I’ve seen of the article; and with the blessing of Providence, I’m going to have nothing whatever to do with it. May I ask the name of the gentleman whose prisoner I have the unspeakable happiness of being?”
“Certainly. I am called, for want of a better, Captain Reginald.”
“Captain Reginald what? That’s not a whole name.”