The knowledge that she had planned and carried out with
dignity and success such a campaign filled me with awe. That I had
misjudged her made me despise myself. Then I became aware that she was
speaking to me, and I turned.
"Mr. Crocker, do you think there is any danger that he will lose
his way?"
"No, Miss Thorn," I replied; "he has only to get to the top of that ridge
and strike the road for Saville, as I told him."
We were silent again until Miss Trevor remarked:
"Well, he deserved every bit of it."
"And more, Irene," said Miss Thorn, laughing; "he deserved to marry
you."
"I think he won't come West again for a very long time," said I.
Miss Trevor regarded me wickedly, and I knew what was coming.
"I hope you are convinced, now, Mr. Crocker, that our sex is not as black
as you painted it: that Miss Thorn knew what she was about, and that she
is not the inconsistent and variable creature you took her to be."
I felt the blood rush to my face, and Miss Thorn, too, became scarlet.
She went up to the mischievous Irene and grasping her arms from behind,
bent them until she cried for mercy.
"How strong you are, Marian! It is an outrage to hurt me so. I haven't
said anything." But she was incorrigible, and when she had twisted free
she began again:
"I took it upon myself to speak a few parables to Mr.
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