"I cannot agree with you," said Faith, "and think you do your
friend injustice. The idea is, that the guardian genius exercised a
controlling influence over the destiny of the young man; and I see no
reason why if we concede the power to the genius to soften his nature,
we may not grant also the ability to harden it."

"Especially," observed Pownal, "as the object of the protecting spirit
would have been frustrated, had the lovers been united."

All looked inquiringly towards him for an explanation.

"I mean," said he, "that with such a fierce little squaw for a wife,
the gentleman with the unpronounceable name, would not have continued
a man of peace long. There certainly would have been war within the
wigwam, however dense the puffs of smoke from the calumet of peace
outside."

All laughed at the sally, but Anne intimated that she would have
preferred a different termination.

"At least," said Mr. Armstrong, who had listened in silence to the
criticisms of the young people, "it teaches a profitable lesson to you
girls."

"What is that, Mr. Armstrong?" inquired Anne.

"That young ladies should know their own minds."

"A most unreasonable expectation!" exclaimed Anne. "We should become
as stupid--as stupid as reasonable people."