"
"You do me great injustice, Miss Mayhew," said Van Berg, warmly.
"Here we are sitting in this horrid old stage by the roadside,"
she resumed, in tones of strong vexation. "Was there ever anything
more absurd and ridiculous than it has all been! I am mortified
beyond expression, and suppose I shall never hear the last of it,"
and she burst into a hysterical passion of tears.
"Miss Mayhew," said Van Berg hastily, "you certainly must realize
that we have passed through very great peril together, and if you
think me capable of saying a word about this episode that is not
to your credit, you were never more mistaken in your life."
At this assurance she became more calm.
"I know you dislike me most heartily," Van Berg continued; "but
you have less reason to do so than you think---"
"I have good reason to dislike you. You despise me; and now that
I have been such a coward you are comparing me with Miss Burton
who acted so differently yesterday."
"I have not even thought of Miss Burton," protested Van Berg, at
the same time conscious, now that her name had been recalled to his
memory, that she would have acted a much better part. "I am only
sincerely glad that our necks were not broken, and I hope that you
have not suffered any severe bruises.
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