"
"His presumption is equal to any thing," said Lady Mabel, provoked at
the suggestion. "But I will make him repent it shortly. He shall long
remember this journey. But enough of him for the present. Let us make
the most of this delightful morning hour. It will be hot enough by
noon. I am now in the traveler's happiest mood, enjoying at once the
feeling of adventure with the sense of security, which, you must
admit, is a rare and difficult combination of emotions."
L'Isle was quite as well pleased as Lady Mabel with the prospect
before him. He had, at Lord Strathern's request, assented to join a
party, which he alone had gotten up, solely that he might put himself
in the relation of companion and protector to Lady Mabel. The
commissary and his wife were convenient screens, not at all in his
way. Whether the part of guide, philosopher, and friend to such a
pupil suited a man of four-and-twenty, he was yet to learn. No doubts
of this kind troubled him, however, as the _arriero_ led his mules
down the hill, and the party followed the music of their bells, all in
high spirits, except old Moodie, who, though a volunteer, continued to
be a grumbler.
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