"You are forgetting the prairie rats, which are really delicacies."
"Nor did I include the charms of the fair Chachinhontas, who was the object of your then affections," said she, laughingly, but in a lower tone.
"So, then," said he, "Master Mark has been playing traitor, and divulging my confidence. The girl was a marvellous horsewoman, which is a rare gift with Indian women. I 've seen her sit a drop-leap--I 'll not venture to say the depth, but certainly more than the height of a man--with her arms extended wide, and the bridle loose and flowing."
"And you followed in the same fashion?" asked Alice, with a roguish twinkle of the eye.
"I see that Mark has betrayed me all through," said he, laughing. "I own I tried it, but not with the success that such ardor deserved. I came head-foremost to the ground before my horse."
"After all, Mr. Maitland, one is not obliged to ride like a savage," said Lady Lyle.
"Except when one aspires to the hand of a savage princess, mamma. Mr. Maitland was ambitious in those days."
"Very true," said he, with a deep sigh; "but it was the only time in my life in which I could say that I suffered my affection to be influenced by mere worldly advantages. She was a great heiress; she had a most powerful family connection."
"How absurd you are!" said Lady Lyle, good-humoredly.
"Let him explain himself, mamma; it is so very seldom he will condescend to let us learn any of his sentiments on any subject. Let us hear him about marriage."
"It is an institution I sincerely venerate. If I have not entered into the holy estate myself, it is simply from feeling I am not good enough. I stand without the temple, and only strain my eyes to catch a glimpse of the sanctuary."
"Does it appear to you so very awful and appalling, then?" said my Lady.
"Certainly it does. All the efforts of our present civilization seem directed to that end. We surround it with whatever can inspire terror. We call in the Law as well as the Church,--we add the Statutes to the Liturgy; and we close the whole with the most depressing of all festivities,--a wedding-breakfast."
"And the Mandans, do they take a more cheerful view of matters?" asked Alice.
"How can you be so silly, Alice?" cried Lady Lyle.