"But you do not need to go. Some one will work for you. Some one will get the gold and treasure. If you will wait--"
"Well, I do not want the treasure. Pani and I have enough."
"Do you know that I must go up to Micmac? I thought to stay all summer, but my father has sent."
"And men have to obey their fathers as girls do their mothers;" in an idly indifferent tone.
"It is best, Jeanne; I want to make a fortune."
"I hope you will;" but there was a curl to her lip.
"And I may come back next spring with the furs."
"My father has another secret, which may be worth a good deal."
She made no answer but beat up the water again. There was nothing but pleasure in her mind.
"Will you be glad to see me then? Will you miss me?"
"Why--of course. But I think I do not like you as well as I used," she cried frankly.
"Not like me as well?" He was amazed. "Why, Jeanne?"
"You have grown so--so--" neither her thoughts nor her vocabulary were very extensive. "I do not think I like men until they are quite old and have beautiful white beards and voices that are like the water when it flows softly. Or the boys who can run and climb trees with you and laugh over everything. Men want so much--what shall I say?" puzzled to express herself.
"Concession. Agreement," he subjoined; "that is right," with a decisive nod. "I hate it," with a vicious swish in the water.
"I shall never have one. Madame Ganeau says so. I am going to keep a wild little girl with no one but Pani until--until I am a very old woman and get aches and pains and perhaps die of a fever."
She was in a very willful mood and she was only a child. One or two years would make a difference. If his father made a great fortune, and after all no one knew where she came from--he could marry in very good families, girls in plenty had smiled on him during the past two months.
Was it watching these lovers that had stirred his blood? Why should he care for this child?
"Had we not better turn about?" said Jacques Graumont, glancing around.
There were purple shadows on one side of the river and high up on the distant hills and a soft yellow pink sheen on the water instead of the blaze of gold. A clear, high atmosphere that outlined everything on the Canadian shore as if it half derided its proud neighbor's jubilee.