What might not a man of his intelligence, chivalric courage, and purity of thought have become in a society where civilisation would have developed all these mental qualities? The question was a natural one when viewing only the advantages which high culture presented; but its obverse was unfavourable, when considering that civilisation is often an approach to barbarism through selfishness and rapacity. She answered the query herself, and favourably for him. This mental questioning once commenced, did not pause, but went on to farther consideration of the character of the young chief. His thoughtfulness seemed as much sprung from regret at the compulsory warfare he was waging against her race, as the noble enthusiasm with which his soul was filled. The heart of a woman easily yielded its admiration to an enthusiast! The motive may be condemned, but the spiritual essence of thought that prompts to action still remains to be admired. It will then be seen that the first abhorrence had given place to interest; and interest had ripened into-- Into what? There was no answer to that question. As it came before Alice Rody's mind she evaded it, and strove calmly to consider Wacora as her captor. But it soon seemed impossible to look upon him in this light. No _preux chevalier_ could be more courteous in his bearing--no prince more calmly conscious of his own birthright. His was of the oldest patent. Whether thinking so or not, he was one of Nature's noblemen. A few months had wrought these marvellous changes in the personages of our tale, and upon Wacora's sudden departure to the scene of war, both he and his captive felt a strange void in their hearts, unaccountable, because novel. Nelatu, whose hope of winning the regard of the pale-faced maiden had sunk into a calm state of despair, departed with his cousin, hoping that in the field of battle he might find a still calmer rest. His fate, wrapt in the dark mystery of the future, was veiled from him. CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. A PEACEFUL WARNING. The summer had waned into autumn. With the changing season came also a change over the hapless Indian maiden, Sansuta. Her weakness, which had been continually increasing, was now so great that she could no longer stray with Alice to their favourite haunts. The poor girl's form had wasted away, and her features become shrunken. Her dark, lustrous eyes alone seemed to retain their vitality. All her former violence had disappeared, and a change had also made itself manifest in her mental condition. Now and then she had lucid moments of thought, during which she would shed torrents of tears on Alice's shoulder, only with the return of her malady would she appear happy and at peace. Towards sunset of a lovely day the two girls sat together at the door of Sansuta's dwelling.