"It is cooler now. There has been a fresh breeze from the river. And—I am sore afraid."
It was true that the night dews and the river gave a coolness to the city at night, and on the other side was the great sweep of woods and hills.
Nothing came to disturb them. Jeanne was restless and had bad dreams, then slept soundly until after sunrise.
"Antoine," she said to the tailor's little lad, "go down to the wharf and watch until the 'Flying Star' sails up the river. The tide is early. I will reward you well."
"O Mam'selle, I will do it for love;" and he set off on a trot.
"There are many kinds of love," mused Jeanne. "Strange there should be a kind that makes one afraid."
At ten the "Flying Star" went up the river.
"Thou hast been a foolish girl, Jeanne Angelot!" declared one of the neighbors. "Think how thou mightst have gone up the river on a wedding journey, and a handsome young husband such as falls to the lot of few maids, with money in plenty and furs fit for a queen. And there is, no doubt, some Indian blood in thy veins! Thou hast always been wild as a deer and longing to live out of doors."
Jeanne only laughed. She was so glad to feel at liberty once more. For a month she had virtually been a prisoner.
Madame De Ber, though secretly glad, joined the general disapproval. She had half hoped he might fancy Rose, who sympathized warmly with him. She could have forgiven the alien blood if she had seen Rose go up the river, in state, to such a future.