Page:Marriott Watson--Galloping Dick.djvu/115

 an honest amour for all the jewels of London. Oh, what a sly hussy; and you all fresh from the country!”

This was gone too far for me, seeing Miss there so embarrassed with her colour, and so I spoke out very civil and very plain.

“Indeed, madam,” said I, “you do us injustice in your suspicion, me in my presumption, and the lady in her modesty. I’ll dare swear, if she have a lover, ’tis not I.”

Once more she went off laughing. “You ply a brave tongue,” she says. “How it wags about! Well, what is’t? Lard, give me a pretty lie, and I’ll forgive you.”

“This gentleman is a rebel,” says Miss eagerly.

“A rebel!” cried she sharply, and looks me up and down.

“And being beset of the King’s officers has took refuge here by an inadvertence,” I put in, bowing.

She surveyed me with deliberation, and then smiled. “Foy!” she said, “’tis a likely sort of rebel. And you would make my house your