Part 21 (2/2)
”_Ma fille_, ask the priest. But then is it necessary to ask G.o.d when we have only to believe?”
”I am afraid I don't even believe,” was the hesitating reply.
”Surely thou art wicked. There will be penance for thee.”
”I will not do penance either. You are cruel if you torture dumb animals, and it is said they have not the keen feeling of humans. I am not sure. But where one thinks of the pain or punishment he is bearing it is more bitter. And what right has another to inflict it upon you?”
Wanamee was silent. She would ask the good priest. But ah, could she have her darling punished?
CHAPTER X
MILADI AND M. DESTOURNIER
”But what are you to do with this nice house? Why, the Governor's is hardly better. Will you live here and not at the post? And how pretty the furnis.h.i.+ngs are?”
Rose's face was wreathed in smiles, and the dimples played hide-and-seek in a most entrancing manner.
”Yes, I am to live here. And you, and Wanamee, and Nugava, and----”
She clapped her hands and jumped up and down, she pirouetted around with grace and lightness that would have enchanted the King of La Belle France. Where did she get this wonderful harmony of movement. His eyes followed her in admiration. She paused. ”And what part is to be given to me?”
”This. And Wanamee will have the room between, to be within call.”
His cheek flushed. How was he to get his secret told?
”And this will be yours, M'sieu. I know it on account of the books. And I can come in here and you shall teach me to read some of the new things. I have been very naughty and lazy, have I not. But in the winter one cannot roam about. Oh, how delightful it will be!”
She looked up out of such clear, happy eyes. How could he destroy her delight--he knew it would.
”There will be some one else here,” he began.
”Not Pere Jamay. He is with Madame a good deal. I do not like his sour face when he frowns upon me. And--oh, you will not have me sent to France and put in a convent. I would kill myself first.”
”No, no. It is not the priest. I am not over in love with him myself. It is some one sweet and pretty, and that you love----”
”That I love”--wonderingly.
He took both her hands in his.
”Rose,” with tender gravity, ”I am going to marry Madame Giffard.”
She stiffened up and looked straight at him, the glow on her cheek fading to marble paleness.
”_Pet.i.te_, you did love her dearly. You will love her again for my sake.
No, you shall not go away in this angry mood. Do you not wish me to be happy?”
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