As it was, she only shook all over, and said, "Oh, sir, how you DID frighten me!" "Frighten you, my rosebud! why, run me through, I'd die rather than frighten you.

Gad, child, tell me now, am I so VERY frightful ?" "Oh no, your honour, I didn't mean that; only I wasn't thinking to meet you here, or that you would ride so early at all: for, if you please, sir, I was going to fetch a chicken for your Lordship's breakfast, as my mistress said you would like one; and I thought, instead of going to Farmer Brigg's, down Birmingham way, as she told me, I'd go to Farmer Bird's, where the chickens is better, sir,--my Lord, I mean." "Said I'd like a chicken for breakfast, the old cat! why, I told her I would not eat a morsel to save me--I was so dru--I mean I ate such a good supper last night--and I bade her to send me a pot of small beer, and to tell you to bring it; and the wretch said you were gone out with your sweetheart--" "What! John Hayes, the creature?
Oh, what a naughty story-telling woman!" "-- You had walked out with your sweetheart, and I was not to see you any more; and I was mad with rage, and ready to kill myself; I was, my dear." "Oh, sir! pray, PRAY don't." "For your sake, my sweet angel ?" "Yes, for my sake, if such a poor girl as me can persuade noble gentlemen." "Well, then, for YOUR sake, I won't; no, I'll live; but why live?
Hell and fury, if I do live I'm miserable without you; I am,--you know I am,--you adorable, beautiful, cruel, wicked Catherine!" Catherine's reply to this was "La, bless me! I do believe your horse is running away." And so he was! for having finished his meal in the hedge, he first looked towards his master and paused, as it were, irresolutely; then, by a sudden impulse, flinging up his tail and his hind legs, he scampered down the road.
Mrs.Hall ran lightly after the horse, and the Captain after Mrs.Hall; and the horse ran quicker and quicker every moment, and might have led them a long chase,--when lo! debouching from a twist in the road, came the detachment of cavalry and infantry under Mr.Brock.The moment he was out of sight of the village, that gentleman had desired the blacksmith to dismount, and had himself jumped into the saddle, maintaining the subordination of his army by drawing a pistol and swearing that he would blow out the brains of any person who attempted to run.

When the Captain's horse came near the detachment he paused, and suffered himself to be caught by Tummas Bullock, who held him until the owner and Mrs.Catherine came up.
Mr.Bullock looked comically grave when he saw the pair; but the Corporal graciously saluted Mrs.Catherine, and said it was a fine day for walking.
"La, sir, and so it is," said she, panting in a very pretty and distressing way, "but not for RUNNING.

I do protest--ha!--and vow that I really can scarcely stand.

I'm so tired of running after that naughty naughty horse!" "How do, Cattern ?" said Thomas.