"But the sun will be shining again in a moment; and the lake, the forest, the hills, will be all aglow in the morning light."
"It will not. I detest your lake, your mountains, your forest. It is a desolation, and I hate it all--all."
Without a word Jean turned the prow of the canoe toward the shore; and when they reached the landing-place Gabrielle stepped out unassisted, and walked swiftly up the path, past the cabin, and on up the hill down which she had come an hour before. Jean noted the way she was going; and a few moments later he took up his pack and rifle, and with long, swift strides followed her trail up the ridge, and down the long slope on the other side. Presently he caught a glimpse of her through the trees, as she tripped along, lithe and active as a deer; and it was with no little difficulty that he kept her in sight until she came to the foot of the slope, and began to climb the shoulder of another hill. There Gabrielle slackened her pace, and turned on her pursuer with flushed face and angry eyes.
"Jean, Monsieur Giroux, I will trouble you to cease following me."
"I am sorry, Gabrielle, but I cannot let you go this way alone. It is dangerous at times."
"I am not at all afraid, and I wish to be alone."
"But you might lose your way, Gabrielle."
"I will not. I know the way quite well."
"But it is easy to get lost, Gabrielle, in this vast forest; among these hills, these cliffs, these marshes; and there are places where one might fall, and not be able to rise alone. One needs a companion."
"I do not. Will you please leave me?"