Thou
art too stubborn of will, Mark, to be yet trusted with the leading of
parties that may hold the safety of all who dwell in the Wish-Ton-Wish
within their keeping."
The young man looked displeased; but, fearful that his father might
observe and misinterpret his humor into a personal disrespect, he turned
away, permitting his frowning eye to rest, for an instant, on the timid
and stolen glance of a maiden, whose cheek was glowing like the eastern
sky, as she busied herself with the preparations of the table.
"What welcome news dost bring from the sign of the Whip-poor-Will?"
Content asked of the woman, who had now come within the little gate of his
court. "Hast seen the Ensign, since the party took the hill-paths; or is
it some traveller who hath charged thee with matter for our ears?"
"Eye of man hath not seen the man since he girded himself with the sword
of office," returned Faith, entering the piazza and nodding salutation to
those around her; "and as for strangers, when the clock shall strike noon,
it will be one month to the day that the last of them was housed within my
doors.
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