As Gabrielle was disposing of her lover in this summary way, she became aware of footsteps behind her, and in a moment a tall, stalwart form was walking by her side, and she knew, without looking, that it was Jean himself, aggressive as ever and very much the master of his own destiny. "Good morning, Gabrielle," he said, as if they had always been the best of friends. "Is it permitted that one walk along with you for a distance?" "The road is free, Monsieur Giroux, and you have overtaken me. You walk too fast." "Oh, no, Gabrielle, but I am glad that you walk so slowly. Of what were you thinking, I wonder?" Gabrielle blushed at the too pointed question, but laughed at her own confusion. "There is an inquisitive man, I must say; and a conceited man too. Perhaps he believes that I was thinking of him." "Ah! if you only were, Gabrielle! For me, I certainly was thinking of you. I saw you in Church, and heard you too. _Mon Dieu_, but you sing like an angel." "Monsieur Giroux," said Gabrielle, reprovingly, "you should go to Church to pray, to worship, and not to look at the neighbours." "The neighbours, Gabrielle--were they there? I saw but one. And I worship, I pray--this is what I pray: ’God give me the beautiful angel whom I adore!’" "Jean!" said Gabrielle, with a radiant smile, "you must not talk like that--it is wicked. But tell me what is it that you do in the woods every day. Why all this industry, I wonder? Why is the mighty hunter not on the hills chasing the moose, the caribou, the bear?" "Gabrielle, the bear sleeps all winter, and I have been asleep for many years. Now, I am awaking, and I begin to see the opportunities of life. I see and seize them as they come along. First I become habitant, then mail driver, then I build a house for tourists, and after that--well, after that we shall see. Gabrielle, it is not true that I am a good-for-nothing. Say that it is not true." "Jean, my friend, forgive me. I did not mean it, as you know. You are a hero, my hero, since the day when you saved me from the river. You remember, do you not? But walk on the other side of the road, if you please. I have only one question to ask, one little question. Jean Baptiste, why did you borrow the money from Bonhomme Laroche? Answer me--quick, quick! Oh, _Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!_ he did it!" "But, Gabrielle, I do not understand." "Monsieur Giroux," said Gabrielle, her eyes flaming with indignation, "do not lie to me. You understand very well. Please to step out of the way." "Gabrielle, my dear Gabrielle, it was a mistake, a blunder. I can explain." "Will Monsieur Giroux step out of the way, or shall I call my father?"