Останній з Могікан
Chapter 15
Thesoundsofothervoices,however,caughthisattention,andforamomentcausedhimtoforgethispurpose.Attheinnerangleofthemoundhemetthesisters,walkingalongtheparapetinsearch,likehimself,ofairandrelieffromconfinement.Theyhadnotmetfromthatpainfulmomentwhenhedesertedthemontheplain,onlytoassuretheirsafety.Hehadpartedfromthemwornwithcare,andjadedwithfatigue;henowsawthemrefreshedandblooming,thoughtimidandanxious.Undersuchaninducement,itwillcausenosurprisethattheyoungmanlostsight,foratime,ofotherobjectsinordertoaddressthem.Hewas,however,anticipatedbythevoiceoftheingenuousandyouthfulAlice.
"Ah!thoutruant!thourecreantknight!hewhoabandonshisdamselsintheverylists!"shecried;"herehavewebeendays,nay,ages,expectingyouatourfeet,imploringmercyandforgetfulnessofyourcravenbacksliding,or,Ishouldrathersay,back-running—forverilyyoufledinamannerthatnostrickendeer,asourworthyfriendthescoutwouldsay,couldequal!"
"YouknowthatAlicemeansourthanksandourblessings,"addedthegraverandmorethoughtfulCora."Intruth,wehavealittlewonderedwhyyoushouldsorigidlyabsentyourselffromaplacewherethegratitudeofthedaughtersmightreceivethesupportofaparent’sthanks."
