“Gi-en-gwa-tah knows well what their judgment would be,” she answered, mistaking his hesitation for a dread of the disapproval of the tribe; “he dare not go before the chiefs and say that he opposes the will of Mahaska—the command of the prophet.”
“Mahaska speaks from her anger; Gi-en-gwa-tah does not hear the voice of the prophet in her words.”
It was the first time he had ever really rebuked her—the first time he had ever ventured to doubt her; but love gave to the savage that intuitive knowledge of her feelings which love alone can give; he saw she was actuated by a desire of vengeance against the new Governor; he felt, with a horrible pang, that in her old life that man had been every thing to her—that it was affection turned to hate which now urged her on.
“Let Gi-en-gwa-tah repeat those words,” she almost whispered, in a tone that sounded like the hiss of a serpent; “let him say again that he does not believe her visions; it shall be the last time he ever utters such doubts.”
“Gi-en-gwa-tah does not doubt her; he knows that she is a great prophetess; but, now, she can not be speaking what her spirits have told her, for until Gi-en-gwa-tah brought the tidings, she thought the young French brave across the deep waters.”
That he should have in a measure penetrated her feelings and possess acuteness to argue thus, inflamed her passion still more; her first impulse was to kill him where he stood; only a keen sense of the danger to herself in this act prevented her.
Not daring to trust herself to speak just then, she resumed her rapid march up and down the room, while a thousand projects darted like lightning-flashes through her quick brain. She must employ craft still, but only once more; let her keep him from appealing to the chiefs for a few hours, and she could render him powerless.
When she had gained sufficient command over herself to speak calmly, she paused in her walk before him—cold and white from the effects of her fury, but forcing her voice into a tone that sounded more natural and calm.
“The queen has reflected,” she said; “Gi-en-gwa-tah is right; words such as have passed between them are not for the people to hear.”
He bowed his head to conceal the expression of anguish which passed over it; that stormy dialogue and the revelations it forced upon his mind, made the bitterest hour of his whole life.