“Sleep safely, Lois.”

“That is why I desired you—­ so I might sleep safely, knowing myself safe when you are, too.  And you are safe only when you are at my side.  Do you follow my philosophy?”

I said presently:  “This is our White Bridal, Lois.  The ceremony completes itself by dawn.”

“Save that the Sagamore is but a heathen priest, truly I feel myself already wedded to you, so solemn was our pretty rite....  Dare you kiss me, Euan?  You never have.  Christians betrothed may kiss each other once, I think.”

“Not such as we—­ if the rite means anything to us.”

“Why?”

“Not on the White Bridal night—­ if we regard this rite as sacred.”

“I feel its sacredness.  That is why I thought no sin if you should kiss me—­ on such a night.”

She sat up in her blanket; and I sat up, too.

"Tekasenthos,” she said.

["I am weeping.”]

"Chetena, you are laughing!”

[* “Mouse.”]

"Neah.  Tekasenthos!” she insisted.

[* “No, I am weeping.”]

“Why?”

“You do not love me,” she remarked, kicking off one ankle moccasin.

* “Kenonwea-sasita-ha-wiyo, chetenaha!” I said, laughing.

[* “I love your beautiful foot, little mouse.”]

* “Akasita?  Katontats.  But is that all of me you love?”

[* “My foot?  I consent.”]

“The other one also.”

“The other one also.”

"Neah-wenh-a, O Loskiel.  I shall presently slay you and go to sleep.”

[* “I thank you.”]

There fell a silence, then: 

“Do you not know in your heart how it is with me?” I said unsteadily.

She lay down, facing me.

“In my heart I know, beloved above all men!  But I am like a child with you—­ desiring to please, ardent, confused, unaccustomed.  And everything you say delights me—­ and all you do—­ or refrain from doing—­ thrills me with content....  It was so true and sweet of you to leave my lips untouched.  I adore you for it—­ but then I had adored you if you had kissed me, also.  Always, your decision pleasures me.”

After a long while I spoke cautiously.  She lay asleep, her lips scarce parted; but in her sleep she seemed to hear my voice, for one arm stole out in the dark and closed around my neck.

And so we lay until the dark forms gliding from the forest summoned me to mount my guard, and Lois awoke with a little sigh, sat upright, then sprang to her feet to face the coming dawn alone with me.

CHAPTER XIX

 AMOCHOL