Rodney had grown white; he stood before her, motionless, with fixed
eyes.

'Jeannette,' I said in French, 'perhaps you do not understand. Dr.
Prescott asks you to marry him; Father Piret shall marry you, and all
your friends shall come. Dr. Prescott will take you away from this
hard life; he will make you rich; he will support your father and
mother in comfort. My child, it is wonderful good fortune. He is an
educated gentleman, and loves you truly.'

'What is that to me?' replied Jeannette, proudly. 'Let him go, I care
not.' She paused a moment. Then, with flashing eyes, she cried, 'Let
him go with his fine new boat and silver dollars! He does not believe
me? See, then, how I despise him!' And rushing forward, she struck him
on the cheek.

Rodney did not stir, but stood gazing at her while the red mark glowed
on his white face.

'You know not what love is,' said Jeannette, with indescribable scorn.
'You! You! Ah, mon Baptiste, ou es-tu? But thou wilt kill
him,--kill him for his boats and silver dollars!'

'Child!' I said, startled by her fury.

'I am not a child. Je suis femme, moi!' replied Jeannette,
folding her arms with haughty grace. 'Allez!' she said, pointing
toward the door. We were dismissed. A queen could not have made a more
royal gesture.