"It's a lie,--a cowardly lie!"

Major Van Zandt bowed. Mistress Thankful flew up stairs, and in
another moment swept back again into the room in riding hat and
habit.

"I suppose I can go and see--my father," she said, without lifting
her eyes to the officer.

"You are free as air, Mistress Thankful. My orders and
instructions, far from implicating you in your father's offences,
do not even suggest your existence. Let me help you to your
horse."

The girl did not reply. During that brief interval, however,
Caesar had saddled her white mare, and brought it to the door.
Mistress Thankful, disdaining the offered hand of the major, sprang
to the saddle.

The major still held the reins. "One moment, Mistress Thankful."

"Let me go!" she said, with suppressed passion.

"One moment, I beg."

His hand still held her bridle-rein. The mare reared, nearly
upsetting her. Crimson with rage and mortification, she raised her
riding-whip, and laid it smartly over the face of the man before
her.