“Mabel, this is not what Lundie hopes, or Lundie thinks.”

“And what care I for Lundie?  He is major of the 55th, and may command his men to wheel and march about as he pleases; but he cannot compel me to wed the greatest or the meanest of his mess.  Besides, what can you know of Lundie’s wishes on such a subject?”

“From Lundie’s own mouth.  The Sergeant had told him that he wished me for a son-in-law; and the Major, being an old and a true friend, conversed with me on the subject.  He put it to me plainly, whether it would not be more ginerous in me to let an officer succeed, than to strive to make you share a hunter’s fortune.  I owned the truth, I did; and that was, that I thought it might; but when he told me that the Quartermaster would be his choice, I would not abide by the conditions.  No, no, Mabel; I know Davy Muir well, and though he may make you a lady, be can never make you a happy woman, or himself a gentleman.”

“My father has been very wrong if he has said or done aught to cause you sorrow, Pathfinder; and so great is my respect for you, so sincere my friendship, that were it not for one —­ I mean that no person need fear Lieutenant Muir’s influence with me —­ I would rather remain as I am to my dying day than become a lady at the cost of being his wife.”

“I do not think you would say that which you do not feel, Mabel,” returned Pathfinder earnestly.

“Not at such a moment, on such a subject, and least of all to you.  No; Lieutenant Muir may find wives where he can —­ my name shall never be on his catalogue.”

“Thank you, thank you for that, Mabel, for, though there is no longer any hope for me, I could never be happy were you to take to the Quartermaster.  I feared the commission might count for something, I did; and I know the man.  It is not jealousy that makes me speak in this manner, but truth, for I know the man.  Now, were you to fancy a desarving youth, one like Jasper Western, for instance —­ "

“Why always mention Jasper Eau-douce, Pathfinder? he can have no concern with our friendship; let us talk of yourself, and of the manner in which you intend to pass the winter.”

“Ah’s me! —­ I’m little worth at the best, Mabel, unless it may be on a trail or with the rifle; and less worth now that I have discovered the Sergeant’s mistake.  There is no need, therefore, of talking of me.  It has been very pleasant to me to be near you so long, and even to fancy that the Sergeant was right; but that is all over now.  I shall go down the lake with Jasper, and then there will be business to occupy us, and that will keep useless thoughts out of the mind.”

“And you will forget this —­ forget me —­ no, not forget me, either, Pathfinder; but you will resume your old pursuits, and cease to think a girl of sufficient importance to disturb your peace?”