Mahaska threw open the doors, and ushered them into her dwelling. All manner of gifts which could conduce to her comfort were soon crowded into the rooms: rich coverings; piles of cushions; silken draperies; costly sets of china and plate—every thing which it had been possible to bring that could be expected to afford gratification, was suddenly thrown from the midst of luxury and refinement into the wildness of savage life. Then St. Clair drew from his breast a casket and placed it in her hands. She raised the lid, and the precious stones it contained flashed in the moonlight.
She smiled with keen satisfaction. She might have endured bare floors, coarse viands, all the nakedness of savage existence, but she was growing avaricious—eager to heap up stores of gold and gems, not from a miserly feeling, but because such treasures were tangible evidences of power.
“I am overwhelmed by such profusion,” she said; “there are no thanks that could express a shadow of a return. Tell your General, Mahaska could not be bought either by gold or jewels; but the thoughtfulness and friendship exhibited in the choice of his gifts have won her heart forever.”
“He will be rejoiced to hear your message,” returned St. Clair, “and I am sure that this alliance can be made equally useful to both the English and yourself. Besides, the General was anxious personally to open communication with a lady already so much talked of throughout the land.”
“These are early days,” said Mahaska, proudly; “let them wait, and see what time shall bring forth. Your Governor and I, at all events, are bound together by the closest ties that can ever knit human hearts—mutual interests, and mutual hate of a common enemy.”
They did not understand the import of her words, and looked somewhat surprised.
“Our hatred for the French,” she continued, answering the expression in their faces. “Talk of the power of love! There is no feeling binds human beings so closely as a common hate!”
Then, fearful that her words and tone had revealed too much ferocity, she hastened to speak of other things, careful to do nothing which would send them away with an unfavorable opinion.
“I wish I had some token to send your General,” she said; “but, alas, what could I find in this wild domain which would give him pleasure?”
“If I might venture to suggest,” said St. Clair, hesitatingly.