But this was not the only change that took place with the coming of the
White Squaw. For a woman of the wild, for a woman who had been bred in
the mysterious depths of the northern forests, away from her fellow
creatures, shut off from all associations of men, Aim-sa displayed a
wondrous knowledge of those arts which women practise for the
subjugation of the opposite sex. She set herself the task of
administering to her companions' welfare in the manner which has been
woman's from the first. She took to herself the bothersome duties with
which no man, however self-reliant, loves to be burdened. She went
further. She demanded and accepted the homage of each of the brothers,
not impartially, but favouring first one and then the other, with the
quiet enjoyment of a woman who looks on at the silent rivalry of two men
who seek her smiles.

And as the days lengthened, and the winter crept on toward spring, the
peace of the house was slowly but surely undermined. Eve had appeared in
the Garden.

The calm that still remained was as the smooth surface of water about to
boil. Beneath it was chaos which must soon break out into visible
tumult. The canker of jealousy fastened itself like a secret growth upon
the uncultured hearts of the men, sapping and undermining that which was
best in their natures.

And Aim-sa looked on with eyes which smiled inscrutably; with silent
tongue, and brain ever busy. In due course she showed signs of beginning
to understand her comrades' language. She even essayed to speak it
herself; and, as she stumbled prettily over the words, and placed them
wrongly, she became more and more a source of delight, an object of
adoration to the poor souls who had been so suddenly born to this new
life. With keen appreciation she saw these things while she listened to
their speech between themselves, and her great, deep eyes would wear
many varying expressions, chief among which was the dark, abiding smile.

There could be no doubt that what she saw she interpreted aright. She
was too clever in everything else to do otherwise. Nick, impatient,
headstrong, could never long conceal his feelings. His eyes would
express displeasure the moment the quieter Ralph chanced to monopolize
Aim-sa's attention. Every smile she bestowed upon the elder brother
brought a frown to the younger man's brow. Every act or look which could
be interpreted into an expression of regard for his brother fired his
soul with feelings of aver