The very presence of these men in the house was an insult to its mistress; but what did she know of that? With all her pride and natural refinement she had yet to learn that civilization sometimes exhibits phases at which the savage would blush. But ignorant as she was of all this, with the intuition of a delicate nature, she felt the coarseness of their manners and the absence of all that respect with which her father’s tribe had ever surrounded her. Looking upon her as a beautiful wild animal, the guests put no restraints upon themselves, but following their host’s example called on her to fill their goblets, and made free comments on the beauty of their cup-bearer, recklessly unconscious of the proud nature they were attempting to degrade.
No squaw of burden in her tribe could have been treated with more coarse contempt than Butler heaped upon that noble young creature before that reckless group rose from the table. At last, wounded and outraged, she scarcely knew how or why, the young Indian turned from them with a hot cheek and eyes full of indignant tears and left the room, refusing to come back when Butler, flushed with wine and insolent with triumph, called after her.
The rioters about the board set up a drunken shout, and levelled coarse jeers at their host.
“By Jove!” said one, “she moves off like a lioness in her jungle; you will find her hard to tame, Butler.”
“What a haughty glance she cast back upon us,” said another, looking at Butler over his wine-glass as he drained it; “you’ll find that handsome animal difficult to break in.”
“Shall I?” answered Butler, hoarse with rage; “she has given me the whip-hand to-night; come, see how I will use it.”
They all started up and reeled from the table, crowding into the hall.
Tahmeroo, urged by the force of habit, had flung open the outer door with her own hands, and was going through into the night air. She could not breathe within doors; her proud spirit was all in arms against her husband’s guests; even yet she never dreamed of blaming him; it seemed so natural to be his slave.
As she stepped on the stone terrace, followed by a stream of light from the hall, the young men came out of the saloon, and, seeing her, were about to advance; but, as they looked beyond, the outline of two carriages dimly appeared in front of the mansion, and a group of five persons were at that moment mounting the steps.
Tahmeroo sprang forward with a cry of delight, embraced some one passionately, and fled to her husband’s side with the swiftness of a deer.