“Is not this, Monsieur Scott, an employe of the Vampire Snow, who is making surveys through our territories in our despite, and in the face of law and justice?” Marie’s father replied: 

“Il est, Monsieur.”

“So I had been informed.  Now Monsieur, I have some serious business to talk to you about.  As you are no doubt aware, the authorities at the Canadian Capital are at this moment discussing the project of buying the North-West Territories from the Hudson Bay Company, converting Red River into a Dominion Colony of the Confederation, and setting to rule it a governor and officials chosen from among Canadians, who hold opinions respecting us as a people, quite similar to those entertained by Monsieur Mair, and those who have the honour of being his friend.”  This with a malignant glance toward Marie, who merely retorted with a scornful flash in her fine, proud eyes.

“Well, Monsieur, I have decided that Red River shall not pass over to the hands of alien officials.  I shall call upon every true colonist to rise and aid me in asserting our rights as free men, and as the proprietors of the soil we have tilled for so many years.  As for your friend Mr. Scott, Mademoiselle”—­turning with a hideous look toward Marie—­“I am very sorry to interfere with his good fortune, but before the set of to-morrow’s sun, I intend packing Mr. Snow and his followers out of our territories.  Nay more, I shall keep a very sharp look out for this young man who went with you over the chute petite.  Indeed it may be interesting for you to hear that I know something of his antecedents already.  He delights to call himself a ‘loyalist,’ and has declared that the people of Red River have no right to protest against the transfer to the Canadian Government.”

“I do not know what Monsieur Scott’s views are upon this question,” replied the girl.  “Whatever they are I presume that he is as much entitled to hold them as you are to maintain yours.”

“I am not so certain on this point as ma belle Mademoiselle seems to be,” he retorted with a sneer like the hiss of a cobra.  “This is our country, and any man who opposes its welfare is a traitor and a common enemy.  But now, Monsieur,”—­turning to Marie’s father—­“you must permit me to say that I view with strong disapproval the intimacy of any of our people with aliens and enemies.  Therefore I find it necessary to forbid for the future any further visit of this young man Scott to your house.  Nay, more, I shall not permit any communication between your family and him; as I have good reason to believe that he is a paid spy of Mr. Snow and the Government of Canada.”

“Monsieur,” quietly retorted Marie, with a curl of infinite contempt upon her soft, red-ripe, moist lips, “You are a coward, and a snake.”

“Hush, Marie!  Monsieur must not take heed of the ready tongue of my daughter,” the poor terrified and over-credulous father put in with much trepidation.