He, too, was mounted, and rode his horse well. He was a tall, slender stripling of about fifteen, and in some ways not unlike the girl. He had the same dark complexion, the same fiery black eyes and hair; but there all resemblance ceased. The look of saucy drollery on her face was replaced on his by a certain fierce pride--an expression at once haughty and daring. He was handsome, exceedingly, with regular, classical features, a perfect form, and had that mark of high birth, the small and exquisitely-shaped ear, and thin curving nostril. Erect he sat in his saddle, like a young prince of the blood.
"_Bon matin_, Monsieur Raymond!" shouted the girl, as he gallantly raised his cap and let the morning breeze lift his dark locks. "I thought the sun would not find you in bed the first morning after your return home. How does your serene highness find yourself?"
"In excellent health and spirits. I'm very much obliged to you--as our friend Mr. Toosypegs would say," answered Master Raymond, for he it is, as he laughingly rode up beside her. "Where's Ranty?"
"In bed. That fellow's as lazy as sin, and would rather lie there, sleeping like some old grampus, than enjoy a ride over the hills the finest morning that ever was."
"How do you know grampuses are fond of sleeping?" said Raymond.
"How do I know?" said the girl, in a high key, getting somewhat indignant. "I know very well they are? Doesn't Miss Toosypegs, when she's talking about Orlando sleeping in the morning, always say he's 'snoring like a grampus'? and if Miss Priscilla doesn't know, that's been to England, and every place else, I would like to know who does!"
"Well, I've been to England, too," said Raymond.
"Yes, and a great deal of good it's done you!" said the young lady, contemptuously. "But that's the way always. Ever since Ranty and you went to college, you've got so stuck up, and full of Latin and Greek, and stuff, there's no standing either of you. Last night, Ranty had to go and ask aunt Deb for the bootjack in Latin, and when she couldn't understand him, he went round kicking the cat and my nine beautiful kittens, in the most awful manner that ever was; and swearing at her in Greek--the hateful wretch!"
And Miss Petronilla Lawless scowled at Raymond, who laughed outright.