irile
traits common to vigorous and worldly-minded men; but the contrast
between Alice and the other girls present was somehow an absolute bar
to a democratic freedom of the sort demanded by the occasion. He met
Father Beret and passed a few pleasant words with him.

"They have honored your flag, my son, I am glad to see," the priest
said, pointing with a smile to where, in one corner, the banner that
bore Alice's name was effectively draped.

Beverley had not noticed it before, and when he presently got
possession of Alice he asked her to tell him the story of how she
planted it on the fort, although he had heard it to the last detail
from Father Beret just a moment ago. They stood together under its
folds while she naively sketched the scene for him, even down to her
picturesquely disagreeable interview with Long-Hair, mention of whom
led up to the story of the Indian's race with the stolen dame jeanne of
brandy under his arm on that memorable night, and the subsequent
services performed for him by Father Beret and her, after she and Jean
had found him in the mud beyond the river.

The dancing went on at a furious pace while they stood there. Now and
again a youth came to claim her, but she said she was tired and begged
to rest awhile, smiling so graciously upon each one that his rebuff
thrilled him as if it had been the most flattering gift of tender
partiality, while at the same time he suspected that it was all for
Beverley.

Helm in his most jovial mood was circulating freely among those who
formed the periphery of the dancing-area; he even ventured a few clumsy
capers in a cotillion with Madame Godere for partner. She danced well;
but he, as someone remarked, stumbled all over himself.

There was but one thing to mar the evening's pleasure: some of the men
drank too much and grew boisterous. A quarrel ended in a noisy but
harmless fight near one of the fires. M. Roussillon rushed to the spot,
seized the combatants, tousled them playfully, as if they had been
children, rubbed their heads together, laughed stormily and so restored
the equilibrium of temper.

It was late when fathers and mothers in the company began to suggest
adjournment. Oncle Jazon's elbow was tired and the enthusiasm generated
by his unrecognized Bergonzi became fitful, while the relaxing crowd
rapidly encroached upon the space set apart for the dancers. In the
open lamps suspended here and there the oil was running low, and the
rag wick