Page:The last of the Mohicans (1826 Volume 1).djvu/48

 which of the young man's questions he responded; when, however, he had cooled his face, and recovered his breath, he continued, "I hear you are riding to William Henry; as I am journeying thitherward myself, I concluded good company would seem consistent to the wishes of both parties."

"The division of voices would appear to be unjustly measured," returned Heyward; "We are three, whilst you have no one to consult but yourself."

"Not more unjustly, than that one gallant should be charged with the care and keeping of two youthful ladies," said the other, with a manner divided between simplicity and vulgar repartee. "If, however, he be a true man, and they true women, they will despite each other's humour, and come over to his opinion, in all matters of contradictory opinions; so you have no more to consult than I!"

The fair maiden dropped her laughing eyes to the bridle of her filly, and the slight flush on her cheek deepened to a rich bloom; while the glowing tints of her com-