Page:Mehalah 1920.djvu/80

70 scene; the last of her stalwart form to disappear was the glowing countenance set in white rays . George was left to his own reflections. He saw Mehalah get into her boat and row away. He waved his cap to her, but she did not return the salute. She was offended grievously. George was placed in a difficult situation. The girl to whom he was betrothed was angry, and had declared her determination not to tread the planks of the Pandora again, and the girl who had made advances to him, and whom his mother would have favoured, had been ejected unceremoniously from it, and perhaps injured, at all events irretrievably offended. It was incumbent on him to go to the house of the Mussets and enquire for Phœbe. He could do no less; so he descended the ladder and took his way thither.

Phœbe was not hurt, she was only frightened. She had been wet through, and was at once put to bed. She cried a great deal, and old Musset vowed he would take out a summons against the aggressor. Mrs. Musset wept in sympathy with her daughter, and then fell on De Witt for having permitted the assault to take place unopposed. "How could I interfere?" he asked, desperate with his difficulties. "It was up and over with her before I was aware." "My girl is not accustomed to associate with cannibals," said Mrs. Musset, drawing herself out like a telescope. As George returned much crestfallen to the beach, now deserted, for the night had come on, he was accosted by Elijah Rebow. "George!" said the owner of Red Hall, laying a hand on his cousin's shoulder, "you ought not to be here." "Where ought I to be, Elijah ? It seems to me that I have been everywhere to-day where I ought not to be. I am left in a hopeless muddle." "You ought not to allow Glory to part from you in anger." "How can I help it? I am sorry enough for the quarrel, but you must allow her conduct was trying to the temper." "She had great provocation. I wonder she did not kill that girl. She has a temper, has Mehalah, that does not stick at trifles ; but she is generous and forgiving."