"I need none," interrupted she in a quiet voice, but without raising her eyes. A gentle wave of her hand accompanied the words. I fancied both the tone and the gesture were repellant; but soon perceived that I was mistaken. "I need none," she repeated, "all has been explained." "Explained! How?" I inquired, taken by surprise at the unexpected declaration. "Wa-ka-ra has told me all." "What!--of Su-wa-nee?" A gesture of assent was the answer. "I am glad of this. But Wa-ka-ra! how knew he the circumstance?" "Partly from the Mexican to whom your people have communicated them-- partly from the captive Arapahoes. Enough--I am satisfied." "And you forgive Wingrove?" "Forgiveness now lies upon his side. I have not only wronged him by my suspicions, but I have reviled him. I deserve his contempt, _I_ can scarcely hope to be forgiven." Light had broken upon me--bright light it was for Wingrove! The suspicious _duetto_ with the Utah chief was explained. Its innocence was made further manifest, by what came under my eyes at the moment. On the arm that was raised in gesture, I observed a strip of cotton wound round it above the wrist. A spot of blood appeared through the rag! "Ha! you are wounded?" said I, noticing the bandage. "It is nothing-- merely a scratch made by the point of the knife. Wa-ka-ra has bound it up. It still bleeds a little, but it is nothing." It was the _role_ of the surgeon, then, the chief had been playing when seen in that ambiguous attitude! More light for Wingrove! "What a fiend!" I said, my reflection directed towards Su-wa-nee. "She deserved death!" "Ah--the unfortunate woman! hers has been a terrible fate; and whether she deserved it or not, I cannot help feeling pity for her. I would to God it had been otherwise; but this faithful companion saw the attempt upon my life; and when any one attacks me, nothing can restrain him. It is not the first time he has protected me from an enemy. Ah me! mine has been a life of sad incidents--at least the last six months of it." I essayed to rescue her from these gloomy reflections. I foresaw the termination of her troubles. Their end was near. Words of cheer were easily spoken. I could promise her the forgiveness of her lover: since I knew how freely and promptly that would be obtained. "Ah, Marian," I said, "a bright future is before you. Would that I could say as much for myself--for your sister Lilian!" "Ha!" exclaimed she, suddenly excited to an extreme point of interest, "tell me of my sister! You promised to do so? Surely _she_ is not in danger?"