"
Then casting a glance of ill-concealed levity at one of his followers, who
had come to say that their steeds awaited, he made the parting salutation
with an air, in which the respect that one like the Puritan could scarce
fail to excite, struggled with his habitual contempt for things of a
serious character.
The family of Mark Heathcote, the lowest dependant included, saw these
strangers depart with great inward satisfaction. Even the maidens, in whom
nature, in moments weaker than common, had awakened some of the lighter
vanities, were gladly rid of gallants, who could not soothe their ears
with the unction of flattery, without frequently giving great offence to
their severe principles, by light and irreverent allusions to things on
which they themselves were accustomed to think with fitting awe. Eben
Dudley could scarcely conceal the chuckle with which he saw the party bury
themselves in the forest, though neither he, nor any of the more
instructed in such matters, believed they incurred serious risk from their
sudden enterprise.
The opinions of the scouts proved to be founded on accurate premises.
Pages:
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178