ment?" said Burr to himself, as he led Angelina to a neighboring brook, and dashed the pure water over her temples.
Burr took this opportunity to whisper to Angelina that he would get clear of "the old hunks" as soon as possible; but she was too much agitated to make any reply, except by deep and frequent blushes.
The disappointment had evidently been quite as severe to Angelina as to Aaron, perhaps even more overwhelming, and she continued faint and haggard.
As Dr. Bellamy now rode up to the spot where the lovers stood, Burr began to describe to him the house of Mr. Timothy Edwards, and the roads which he must pursue; but it was not easy to make the reverend gentleman comprehend the way, and he found that he could not get clear of acting as a guide to the worthy clergyman, without an open show of disrespect, and in those days, a regular minister of the gospel was "some pumpkins."
Burr, therefore, asked Angelina if she felt able to ride.
"By no means," cried the doctor. "The young lady must not be trusted on the horse again. We will accompany her home first. After that, you can go with me. How far does Mr. Brown live from here?"
This was putting a new face upon the matter. Angelina had no desire to be seen by her family in company with Burr, and the story of a frightened horse would sound very strangely in the ears of her father, who knew that Angelina was a fearless rider, and that the pony was gentleness itself.
"There is no necessity," said the disappointed girl, quickly; "if Mr. Burr will have the goodness to assist me in re-mounting the horse, I will manage to get home myself."
Burr sighed, but he saw no other way. He did as requested, and Angelina set out on a slow trot for her father's house. Burr then obtained a horse in the neighborhood, and guided the Doctor to the mansion of his worthy relative.
