"Never mind," said the guide; "they are disappointed, and no
wonder. It was a near thing; but, poor creatures, they have no
initiative; their life is not a fortifying one; and besides, they will
have forgotten all about it to-morrow. Rut we had better not stop here.
There is no use in facing disagreeable things, unless one is obliged."
And he led the way down the valley.
When we had got a little farther off, our guide told us to sit down and
rest. Cynthia was still very much frightened, speechless with excitement
and agitation, and, like all impulsive people, regretting her decision.
I saw that it was useless to say anything to her at present. She sat
wearily enough, her eyes closed, and her hands clasped. Our guide looked
at me with a half-smile, and said:
"That was rather an unpleasant business! It is astonishing how excited
those placid and polite people can get if they think their privileges
are being threatened. But really that Court was rather too much. They
have tried it before with some success, and it is a clever trick. But
they have had a lesson to-day, and it will not need to be repeated for a
while.
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