The boy had been through West Point, to be sure; but he had studied there, and not flirted; the Academy had not in any way demoralized him.

On the whole, in spite of swearing under gross provocation, and an inclination toward strictness in discipline, he answered pretty well for a Bayard.
His bashfulness was such, at least in the presence of Clara, that he trembled to the tips of his fingers in merely making this remark: "Miss Van Diemen, this journey is the pleasantest thing in my whole life." Clara blushed until she dazzled him and seemed to burn herself.
Nevertheless she was favored with her usual childlike artlessness of speech, and answered, "I am glad you find it agreeable." Nothing more from Ralph for a minute; he was recovering his breath and self-possession.
"You cannot think how much safer I feel because you and your men are with us," said Clara.
Thurstane unconsciously gripped the handle of his sabre, with a feeling that he could and would massacre all the Indians of the desert, if it were necessary to preserve her from harm.
"Yes, you may rely upon my men, too," he declared.

"They have a sort of adoration for you." "Have they ?" asked Clara, with a frank smile of pleasure.

"I wonder at it.
I hardly notice them.

I ought to, they seem so patient and trusty." "Ah, a lady!" said Thurstane.