"
"That is the only rational thing I have heard," said the Major.
"Though--did your uncle expect your young blood to keep the terms?"
"Indeed, sir, I was frightened enough the first evening that I
ventured on any advances, for they startled her enough to make her
swoon away. I carried her from her room, and my uncle dragged me
back before the colour came back to that lovely face so that the
women might come to her. That was the only time I ever saw her
save through the chinks of the shutters. Judge of the distraction
I lived in!"
Betty looked shocked, but her father chuckled a little, though he
maintained his tone of censure "And may I inquire how often these
distracting interviews took place?"
"Cruelly seldom for one to whom they were life itself! Mar is, as
you know, colonel of my corps, and my liberty has been restrained
as much as possible; I believe I have been oftener on guard and on
court-martial than any officer of my standing in the service; but
about once in a fortnight I could contrive to ride down to a little
wayside inn where I kept a fresh horse, also a livery coat and hat.
I tied up my horse in a barn on the borders of the park, and put on
a black vizard, so as to pass for my uncle's negro in the dark. I
could get admittance to my uncle's rooms unknown to any servant save
faithful Jumbo--who has been the sole depository of our secret.
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