But,
perhaps, you are in earnest after all, poor fellow! for my father tells
me you are going over the hills and far away to the moose-yards. How
valiant you are, and how quickly you grasp the essentials of fortune-
making!"
"Miss Malbrouck, I am in earnest, and I've always been in earnest in one
thing at least. I came out here to make money, and I've made some, and
shall make more; but just now the moose are as brands for the burning,
and I have a gun sulky for want of exercise."
"What an eloquent warrior-temper! And to whom are your deeds of valour
to be dedicated? Before whom do you intend to lay your trophies of the
chase?"
"Before the most provoking but worshipful lady that I know."
"Who is the sylvan maid? What princess of the glade has now the homage
of your impressionable heart, Mr. Thorne?"
And Gregory Thorne, his native insolence standing him in no stead, said
very humbly:
"You are that sylvan maid, that princess--ah, is this fair to me, is it
fair, I ask you?"
"You really mean that about the trophies?" she replied. "And shall you
return like the mighty khans, with captive tigers and lions, led by
stalwart slaves, in your train, or shall they be captive moose or
grizzlies?"
"Grizzlies are not possible here," he said, with cheerful seriousness,
"but the moose is possible, and more, if you would be kinder--Margaret.
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