"
"I never was in your grasp, that I know of," said Cap, whipping up
her horse and leaving him far behind.
Days passed before Craven thought it prudent again to renew and
press his suit. He did so upon a fine September morning, when he
overtook her riding along the banks of the river. He joined her and
in the most deprecating manner besought her to listen to him once
more. Then he commenced in a strain of the most impassioned
eloquence and urged his love and his proposal.
Capitola stopped her horse, wheeled around and faced him, looking
him full in the eyes while she said:
"Upon my word, Mr. Le Noir, you remind me of an anecdote told of
young Sheridan. When his father advised him to take a wife and
settle, he replied by asking whose wife he should take. Will nobody
serve your purpose but somebody else's sweetheart? I have told you
that I belong to a brave young soldier who is fighting his country's
battles in a foreign land, while you are lazing here at home, trying
to undermine him. I am ashamed of you, sir, and ashamed of myself
for talking with you so many times! Never do you presume to accost
me on the highway or anywhere else again! Craven by name and Craven
by nature, you have once already felt the weight of Herbert's arm!
Do not provoke its second descent upon you! You are warned!" and
with that Capitola, with her lips curled, her eyes flashing and her
cheeks burning, put whip to her pony and galloped away.
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