Under other circumstances, the squadron will proceed with the
enterprise, and endeavor to obtain a collar for your Majesty's
doll."
"For my doll!" exclaimed Sophia angrily; "when did Jack find out that
I had a doll?"
"Is that, then, your secret?" inquired her mother.
"Yes, mamma, Master Jack took a pigeon with him for the express
purpose of playing me this trick."
"And what is worse, included yourself in the conspiracy. Dreadful!"
"Is it not--to speak of a young person of thirteen's doll?"
"Say nearer fourteen, my dear."
"Therefore, to punish your confederates, I shall fire a gun, and put a
stop to their excursion," said Becker, turning to one of the
six-pounders that flanked Rockhouse in the direction of the river.
"Clemency being one of the dearest rights of the royal prerogative,"
replied Sophia, "I shall pardon them, and I pray you not; to throw any
obstacle in the way of their expedition."
"Very good, your Majesty; but there are state reasons which should be
allowed to overrule the impulses of your heart; those gentlemen have
forgotten that we were to go and lay the first stone, or rather to
cut, to-day, the first branch of your aerial residence at Falcon's
Nest."
Admiral Willis and his officers having obeyed the preconcerted signal,
the whole party started on their land enterprise.
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