Marjorie Bowen

“ Her manner suddenly changed; she moved away with a gay smile.
"Why, I was sure you had seen me, Captain Wedderburn. When you have been out for your lonely rides, I have been near you more than once."
"On my soul, madam——"
"Have you never seen a horsewoman coming through the mist in the afternoon, when you have been abroad, sir?"
"Never, madam."
"Why, you must be in love to notice so little as that! Why, it is a bad look-out for the Prince you'll be!"
He blushed with vexation, but, beat his brains as he would, he could not recall having seen any horsewomen when he had been abroad. ”

“ He had the door open.
"Captain Wedderburn," said the lady, very pale, "I bring you a proposal of marriage!"
The door-handle slipped through his fingers.
"A proposal of marriage?"
He came back towards her chair.
"Ah, there, now," she laughed, "if you are not frightened, sir!"
"You are a very charming woman, Miss Clanronald, but mighty provoking!"
She rose, hands clasped on her bosom.
"Listen. The lady is young, passable, very wealthy, very well born, free, and very enamoured of you." ”

“ She frowned.
"So urgent?"
"I have a prisoner."
"A Jacobite?"
"Yes. I am due to visit him."
"Is he so important?" she smiled.
He blushed at her slight air of mockery.
"No, but my duty——"
She rose with a little air of laughter.
"Oh, your duty, Captain Wedderburn! What is your duty?"
"At present to look after this silly young man, and to search for the Pretender."
He turned resolutely towards the door.
"The Pretender!" cried Miss Clanronald. "Why, that is a romantic story, is it not? They say he travels disguised as a woman." ”