Betty had either not heard of the Captain's order, that no one was to leave the fort, or she had disregarded it altogether; probably the latter, as she generally did what suited her fancy.
"Release my pony's head!" she cried, her face flushing, as she gave a jerk to the reins.

"How dare you?
What right have you to detain me ?" The expression Betty saw on Clarke's face was not new to her, for she remembered having seen it on the faces of young gentlemen whom she had met at her aunt's house in Philadelphia.

It was the slight, provoking smile of the man familiar with the various moods of young women, the expression of an amused contempt for their imperiousness.
But it was not that which angered Betty.

It was the coolness with which he still held her pony regardless of her commands.
"Pray do not get excited," he said.

"I am sorry I cannot allow such a pretty little girl to have her own way.