“Mon pere need not apologize to Monsieur Riel for sa fille,” the girl said, giving her father a glance of mild reproach.  “I think that I am not unaware of the reason why Monsieur Riel’s patriotism and vigilance have taken their present generous, honourable and manly form.  And as I have now to go out and attend to my work, I would desire to say before leaving, that Monsieur has addressed his last words to me.  I do not wish to see him ever again at our house.  Should he insist on coming—­and I know he has high spirit and honourable feeling enough to even so insist and force himself where he is not welcome—­it shall be to my greatest repugnance.  I have been to you, mon pere, a faithful and loving child.  I do not think that I have ever before this day made any important request of you.  But I make one now:  it is that you request this Monsieur Riel to never enter our doors again.  Pray, mon pere,” she said going to him and looking into his face with the intensest pleading in her great eyes, “do not refuse me this request.”

“Monsieur has heard my daughter’s request?  I cannot deny it to her.”

The only reply from M. Riel was a sneer that sounded like an envenomed hiss.

“About the matter of visits, Monsieur, I shall consult my own taste and convenience.”  Marie went out from the house as regal in her bearing, and as beautiful as any princess that has ever trod the court of Caliph.  Riel followed the retreating form of the lovely girl with eyes that showed the rage and desire of a wild beast.  When she was out of sight he calmed himself, and assuming a changed mood, turned to her father.

“Monsieur, there is no reason why you and I should quarrel; is there?”

“No Monsieur; no reason.”

“On the contrary, it would be well, if in these troublous times, when duties so momentous await every loyal heart in the colony, that we should be friends.  Is this not so?”

“Oui, Monsieur.”

“Then we can, if you will, be friends.  I am prepared to forgive the indignity put upon, me by your daughter.  I will not hesitate to take your hand, and forgive you for the insult which you have just offered me.  And now hear what I have to say.  Coming yonder through the prairie, yesterday, I heard your daughter singing.  The very sound of her voice thrilled me as I had never been delighted in all my life before.  But when I saw her, sitting alone, a d heard her holding converse with a solitary bird which had lost its mate, I was ravished by her beauty, and made a vow that I would win her heart.  I presently perceived that the impression I made upon her was not favourable.  I took her hand in mine, but she snatched it away as if an aspek’s tongue had touched it.  A moment later, in the madness of my passion for her, I suddenly strained her in my arms.  After this I knew that she detested me.  This knowledge I could have borne, trusting to time, and to the aid of fortune, to make her look less indifferently upon me.  Great achievement lies almost ready at my hand; and my end attained, she would have seen in me one who stood above all others in Red River in brilliancy of attainment and strength of character.  And while in this way I was endeavouring to cool the fire that was burning me, I perceived that her heart was given to another; to one who, so far as I can judge, does not return her affection.”