“You took the horse when I refused him to you. Now will you not have him when I offer him to you? You must, captain! I’ll not have so fine a horse go begging for a master. I’ll not hear of your walking. On such a night, such a distance, through such a country!”
“The devil!” thought Harry. “This makes it ten times harder!”
Elizabeth now turned to face him directly. “Does not my cloak incommode you?” she said, amusedly. “You may put it down.”
“Oh, thank you, yes!” he said, feeling very red, and went to lay the cloak on the table, but in his confusion put down his own hat there, and kept the cloak over his arm. He then met her look recklessly, and blurted out:
“The truth is, Miss Philipse, now that I am soon to leave, I have something to—to say to you.” His boldness here forsook him, and he paused.
“I know it,” said Elizabeth, serenely, repressing all outward sign of her heart’s blissful agitation.
“You do?” quoth he, astonished.
“Certainly,” she answered, simply. “How could you leave without saying it?”
Peyton had a moment’s puzzlement. Then, “Without saying what?” he asked.