Now he wondered a little if he had been wise to choose the child instead, and give up his freedom. Blanchette had also established a post at Les Pettites Côtes, which was the headquarters for many rovers, and became the nucleus of another city. He was fond of adventures. But if he, Denys, had married, as he had once dreamed! Then he would have given up the wild life long ago. Then there would have been home and love. “O Uncle Gaspard,” Renée cried, “you squeeze my hand so tight. And you walk so fast.” He paused suddenly and gazed down in the flushed face, the eyes humid under their curling lashes. “My little dear!” and his heart smote him. “Let us sit down here in the shade of this clump of trees and rest. You see, I never had a little girl before, and forgot that she could not stride with my long legs.” “And I am so thirsty.” He glanced about. “We are only going a little farther,” he said, “and then we shall find a splendid spring and something to eat. Are you very tired?” She drew a long breath and held up her little red hand. “Poor hand!” he said tenderly, pressing it to his lips. “Poor little hand!” She leaned her head down on his shoulder. “You wouldn’t like to have me go away?” she murmured plaintively. “Go away?” in surprise. “What put such an idea in your head?” “You wouldn’t send me?” Strange these thoughts should find entrance in her mind when he had just asked himself that curious question so akin to it. “What do you mean, little one?” “If—if you married—some one—who did not want me,” in so desolate a tone that it gave him a pang. “But I am not going to marry any one.” “Are you very, very sure?” with an indrawn breath. He took her face between his hands suddenly and turned it upward. It was scarlet and tears beaded the long lashes. “Come,” he said in soft persuasion, “what is behind all this? Who has been talking to you? If it is Mère Lunde——” “No—she said it was not true.” “Surely that little Pichou girl is not a mischief maker! If so, she must keep clear of us. I will not have you tormented.” Then Renée began to cry softly and the truth came out with sobs. He smiled, and yet he was deeply touched. The little thing was jealous. Yet was it not true that he was all she had in the world to love, and that no one had really loved her until he came into her life? How she had trusted him back there in Quebec after the first few hours! Now he gathered her up in his arms as if she been a baby, and kissed the small hot face, tasting the salt tears.