at least, all serious consideration of her who should rightfully
claim his attention had been completely blotted out. He had become a
willing victim to a will infinitely stronger than his own, his
conscience deadened by the poison of beauty; so, while my blood rioted
in protest to his simpering French vanity, I could perceive no means by
which I might arouse him to more manly action. To cross such a man
only invites to the surface the worst elements of his nature; besides,
were I to stir him by strong protest, it might be doubtful if he
comprehended the nature of my scruples in the matter. Any such
misunderstanding would result in the exchange of hard words, and in my
making an enemy where now I possessed a friend. Not that the Chevalier
was a particularly valuable ally, yet he wielded a good sword upon
occasion, and would prove more useful in friendship than in enmity. I
might despise him, yet he remained the husband of Madame, and I durst
pick no quarrel with him. To do so would raise a barrier between us,
rendering our situation among the savages darker than ever. As to the
moral side of the affair, it would be sheer waste of words to broach
it, as De Noyan could form no clearer conception of such an issue than
a babe unborn. He swung as the wind blew, and in all his pampered life
had probably never dreamed of denying himself a liberty. Saint Andrew!
it was a knotty problem for such a head as mine to solve. I believe I
chose the better course in assuming the role of a neutral, as I sat
staring at the fellow while he twisted his moustaches into their
old-time curl, gazing at himself in the pocket mirror, utterly
oblivious of my presence.

"So this beauty of a Queen told you the tale of her people," I remarked
at last, determining to humor his mood. "It would interest me to hear
the story. Those I have thus far seen differ widely from any other
order of savages with whom I have come in contact."

"Your judgment is right. As she tells the story, they are not of
Indian blood, but belong to a far older race. She says they are the
remnant of a master people--although regarding their exact lineage she
spoke but little--who once, hundreds of years ago no doubt, held
undisputed dominion from the banks of a great red river flowing through
the prairies far to the northward, down to the salted sea bounding the
land upon the east. She said their ancestors mined in the rocks, and
cultivated the rich land of the va