"Mesandowit is ready."
"When the trees cast long shadows he shall return, and I will go a little distance with him, lest he should meet the Aberginians."
"Good—and now Mesandowit will sleep." He stretched himself again upon the skin, which served for a couch, probably not entirely rested after the long and rapid journey he had made, and disposed himself to slumber. The Knight, on leaving him, went to the door of the lady's apartment, and gently rapped.
It was opened by the Indian girl, and he was immediately admitted.
"Celestina," said the Knight, looking first at her and then at her little attendant, "I have something to say to thee."
"Neebin," said the lady, addressing the child, "may run about in the woods a little while."
When the girl had departed, the Knight, seating himself at some distance from the lady, opened the conversation.
"Celestina," he said, "there has been of late a want of that frankness which characterized our intercourse at our arrival in this country, and for some time thereafter. Will you not tell me the cause?"
"Sir Christopher," replied the lady, "a suspicious mind is ofttimes deceived by its imaginations. Wherein, pray, has been a change in my conduct?"
"Nay. I know not that I can say, in this and in that thou hast not trusted me, but I feel that it is so."