_Mait_. This is well. (_He writes on a slip of paper, and gives it to the Indian_.) Take that, they will give you the reward you ask for it. Let me see your face no more, that is all. _Manida_. Ha, _Monsieur_? _Mait_. Let me see your face no more, I say. Do you understand me? _Manida_. (_Smiling_.) Oui. (_Maitland turns from him. The Indian goes off in the opposite direction. He stops a moment, and steals a look at Maitland,--throws his head back with a long silent laugh, and then goes on toward the woods_.) _Mait_. (_Musing_.) I like this. _This_ is womanly! Nay, perhaps there is no caprice about it. I may have misinterpreted that letter in my haste last night. Very likely. Well,--better this, than that Helen Grey should come to evil through fault of mine,--better this, than the anguish of the horrible misgivings that haunted me amid my journey. And so pass these faery visions! Nay, not thus. It will take longer than this to unlink this one day's hope from its thousand fastnesses. I thought, ere this, to have met the spirit of those beaming eyes, to have taken to my heart for ever this soft, pure being of another life. And yet, even as I rode through those lonely hills this morning, with every picture my hope painted, there came a strange misgiving;--like some scene of laughing noonday loveliness, darkening in the shadow of a summer's cloud. Strange that Alaska should abandon my trust! I cannot understand it. Why, I should never have trusted her with this rascal Indian. There was something in his eye, hateful beyond all thought,--and once or twice I caught a strange expression in it, like malignant triumph it seemed. It may be--no, he must have seen her--that glove he showed me was hers, I know. Good God!--what if----I think my old experience should have taught me there was little danger of her risking much in my behalf. Well--even this is better, than that Helen Grey should have come to evil through fault of mine. * * * * * PART SIXTH * * * * * RECONCILIATION. * * * * * DIALOGUE I. SCENE. _The slope of the Hill near Fort Edward. The road-side, shaded with stately pines and hemlocks_. (_Two British Officers, coming slowly down the road_.) _1st Off_. Yes, here has been wild work upon this hill to-day. They were slaughtered to a man. _2nd Off_. I saw a sight above there, just now, that sickened me of warfare. _1st Off_. And what was that, pry'thee?