I will not repeat all I said; but, at last, silenced, if not
convinced, by the power of this great love, I started with him out
into the wild night to seek Jeannette. We went through the village and
round the village and round the point, where the wind met us, and the
waves broke at our feet with a roar. Passing the row of cabins, with
their twinkling lights, we reached the home of Jeannette and knocked
at the low door. The Indian mother opened it. I entered, without a
word, and took a seat near the hearth, where a drift-wood fire was
burning. Jeannette came forward with a surprised look. 'You little
think what good fortune is coming to you, child,' I thought, as I
noted her coarse dress and the poor furniture of the little room.

Rodney burst at once into his subject.

'Jeannette,' he said, going toward her, 'I have come to take you away
with me. You need not go to school; I have given up that idea,--I
accept you as you are. You shall have silk dresses and ribbons, like
the ladies of the Mission-House this summer. You shall see all great
cities, you shall hear beautiful music. You shall have everything you
want,--money, bright shillings, as many as you wish. See! Mrs. Corlyne
has come with me to show you that it is true. This morning we had
orders to leave Mackinac; in a few days we must go. But--listen,
Jeanette; I will marry you. You shall be my wife. Do not look so
startled. I mean it; it is really true.'

'Qu'est-ce-que-c'est?' said the girl, bewildered by the rapid,
eager words.

'Dr. Prescott wishes to marry you, child,' I explained, somewhat
sadly, for never had the disparity between them seemed so great. The