She went out and paced up and down in the garden, trying to think what she would do to-morrow. She would go down to the mill-pond; there were always parties out boating. Then Sophie Borrie would be glad to see her. And the day after, the day after that--how long and lonely the procession looked!
There was a bright twinkling star emerging from a drift of white into a patch of almost blue-black sky. The night was serene, balmy, and there were but few sounds. It was not yet time for insects to begin their choruses. Steps sounded of people chatting gayly, but they were not the voices she knew. Something brushed against her forehead--she reached up and pulled a rose, sweet with the first greeting of its brief life. And then----
She hurried swiftly to the house. Mère Lunde was scolding Chloe, but through the rasping sound she heard the steps, the cordial greeting. It was quite dark within, and she was lighting the pine torch when the two entered and her uncle said:
"We have reached home at last. What a day! Renée, here is a guest," and Uncle Gaspard gave his hearty, cheerful laugh.
"We were in the dark." She rose in some confusion, the short curls drooping almost into her eyes, her face quite flushed, and turned, drawing a long, startled breath.
"The saints only know how glad I am to get home again!" and the strong voice was full of rapture.
"And you don't know yourself?" she interrupted quickly.
"Ah, you must not take me up like that!" laughing. "I doubt if even the saints could understand my delight. No one but myself truly knows. Is that better?"
The torch began to flame, and its red light threw him out boldly. He seemed to have grown taller--no, it was not that, for Uncle Gaspard still towered above him, but he was stouter, and the way he carried himself had in it a new character and power. And the indescribable something in his face that no girl could read at a glance, the shaping and tone experience gives when one has been learning to rule his fellow-men and to depend upon himself.
She was silent and a warm color played about her face. He took both hands, drew her nearer to him, and suddenly she was afraid of the intense personality. Her rosy lips quivered, her eyes drooped, her breath came rapidly.