passed, I did not see her. I had made the hardest struggle of all, and
was beginning to recover my self-respect when, one day, I met her in
the woods with some children; she had returned to gather blueberries.
I looked at her. She was more gentle than usual, and smiled. Suddenly,
as an embankment which has withstood the storms of many winters gives
away at last in a calm summer night, I yielded. Myself knew the
contest was over and my other self rushed to her feet.

'Since then I have often seen her; I have made plan after plan to meet
her; I have--O degrading thought!--paid her to take me out in her
canoe, under the pretence of fishing. I no longer looked forward; I
lived only in the present, and thought only of when and where I could
see her. Thus it has been until this morning, when the orders came.
Now, I am brought face to face with reality; I must go; can I leave
her behind? For hours I have been wandering in the woods. Aunt
Sarah,--it is of no use,--I cannot live without her; I must marry
her.'

'Marry Jeannette!' I exclaimed.

'Even so.'

'An ignorant half-breed?'

'As you say, an ignorant half-breed.'

'You are mad, Rodney.'

'I know it.'