inded
also. There was no engagement between them, and he was not bound in any
way, and could, therefore, without slashing the hem of the code, retire
without any apology; but they had had that unspoken understanding which
most people who love each other show even before a word of declaration
has passed their lips. If he withdrew because of this scandal there
might be some awkward hours for Frank Armour's wife at Greyhope; but,
more than that, there would be a very hard-hearted young lady to play
her part in the deceitful world; she would be as merciless as she could
be. Naturally, being young, she exaggerated the importance of the event,
and brooded on it. It was different with her father and mother. They
were shocked and indignant at first, but when the first scene had been
faced they began to make the best of things all round. That is, they
proceeded at once to turn the North American Indian into a European--a
matter of no little difficulty. A governess was discussed; but General
Armour did not like the idea, and Richard opposed it heartily. She
must be taught English and educated, and made possible in "Christian
clothing," as Mrs. Armour put it. Of the education they almost
despaired--all save Richard; time, instruction, vanity, and a dressmaker
might do much as to the other.

The evening of her arrival, Lali would not, with any urging, put on
clothes of Marion's which had been sent in to her. And the next morning
it was still the same.

She came into the breakfast-room dressed still in buckskin and
moccasins, and though the grease had been taken out of her hair it
was still combed flat. Mrs. Armour had tried to influence her through
Mackenzie, but to no purpose. She was placidly stubborn.

It had been unwisely told her by Mackenzie that they were Marion's
clothes. They scarcely took in the fact that the girl had pride, that
she was the daughter of a chief, and a chieftainess herself, and that it
was far from happy to offer her Marion's clothes to wear.

Now, Richard, when he was a lad, had been on a journey to the South
Seas, and had learned some of the peculiarities of the native mind, and
he did not suppose that American Indians differed very much from certain
well-bred Polynesians in little matters of form and good taste. When
his mother told him what had occurred before Lali entered the
breakfast-room, he went directly to what he believed was the cause,
and advised tact with conciliation. He also pointed out