“But there were men, certainly,” said the maid; “and of course they must have been strangers.”
“Honest men, you foolish girl, who have been out thus early to catch a few fish for breakfast.”
“Then they must be poachers, my lady; and I’m sure they are not honest men.”
Cordelia laughed merrily at her companion’s witty retort, and shortly afterward they started on again toward the river. They reached the landing, where they found the boat in waiting, but no boatman.
“Percy is not here!”
“You did not expect to find him here, did you, lady?”
“Why, no; but I thought we should surely meet him. However, he will soon be here. It is past the time he set.”
“For meeting us at the castle, lady, not here.”
“Pshaw! What do you take me up so quickly for, Mary? You make me quite nervous.”
“Dear lady, pray do not pay any attention to what I say. I suppose I am a little timid. At all events, I can not help wishing we had not come here alone.”