"Something or
other seems to have excited you mightily, ma fille, you are a
trifle impulsively inclined to-day."
"Yes, Father Beret; yes I know, and I am ashamed. My heart shrinks
when I think of what I did; but I was so glad, such a grand joy
came all over me when I saw him, so strong and brave and
beautiful, coming toward me, smiling that warm, glad smile and
holding out his arms--ah, when I saw all that--when I knew for
sure that he was not dead--I, why, Father--I just had to, I
couldn't help it!"
Father Beret laughed in spite of himself, but quickly managed to
resume his severe countenance.
"Ta! ta!" he exclaimed, "it was a bold thing for a little girl to
do."
"So it was, so it was. But it was also a bold thing for him to do--
to come back after he was dead and scalped and look so handsome
and grand! I'm ashamed and sorry, Father; but--but, I'm afraid I
might do it again if--well, I don't care if I did--so there, now!"
"But what in the world are you talking about?" interposed
Adrienne. Evidently they were discussing a most interesting matter
of which she knew nothing, and that did not suit her feminine
curiosity. "Tell me." She pulled Father Beret's sleeve. "Tell me,
I say!"
It is probable that Father Beret would have pretended to betray
Alice's source of mingled delight and embarrassment, had not the
rest of the Bourcier household returned in time to break up the
conversation.
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