Последний из Могикан

           "Yourfatherhimselfcouldtellyou,thatthoughabsentfromyourpresence,Ihavenotbeenaltogetherforgetfulofyoursafety,"returnedtheyoungman;"themasteryofyondervillageofhuts,"pointingtotheneighboringentrenchedcamp,"hasbeenkeenlydisputed;andhewhoholdsitissuretobepossessedofthisfort,andthatwhichitcontains.Mydaysandmynightshaveallbeenpassedtheresinceweseparated,becauseIthoughtthatdutycalledmethither.But,"headdedwithanairofchagrin,whichheendeavored,thoughunsuccessfully,toconceal,"hadIbeenawarethatwhatIthenbelievedasoldier’sconductcouldsobeconstrued,shamewouldhavebeenaddedtothelistofreasons."

           "Heyward!—Duncan!"exclaimedAlice,bendingforwardtoreadhishalf-avertedcountenance,untilalockofhergoldenhairrestedonherflushedcheek,andnearlyconcealedthetearthathadstartedtohereye;"didIthinkthisidletongueofminehadpainedyou,Iwouldsilenceitforever,Coracansay,ifCorawould,howjustlywehaveprizedyourservices,andhowdeep—Ihadalmostsaid,howfervent—isourgratitude."

           "AndwillCoraattestthetruthofthis?"criedDuncan,sufferingthecloudtobechasedfromhiscountenancebyasmileofopenpleasure."Whatsaysourgraversister?Willshefindanexcusefortheneglectoftheknightinthedutyofasoldier?"

           Coramadenoimmediateanswer,butturnedherfacetowardsthewater,asiflookingonthesheetoftheHorican.