les would have killed her, if she had been untrue to him;
and she would have expected it and understood it.

But Jean Jacques was going to forgive her--going to study women, and so
understand her and understand women, as he understood philosophy! This
was too fantastic for human reason. She stared at him, unable to say a
word, and the distracted look in her face did not lessen. Forgiveness
did not solve her problem.

"I am going to take you to Montreal--and then out to Winnipeg, when I've
got the cheese-factory going," he said with a wise look in his face, and
with tenderness even coming into his eyes. "I know what mistakes I've
made"--had not George Masson the despoiler told him of them?--"and I
know what a scoundrel that fellow is, and what tricks of the tongue he
has. Also he is as sleek to look at as a bull, and so he got a hold on
you. I grasp things now. Soon we will start away together again as we
did at Gaspe."

He came close to her. "Carmen!" he said, and made as though he would
embrace her.

"Wait--wait a little. Give me time to think," she said with dry lips,
her heart beating hard. Then she added with a flattery which she knew
would tell, "I cannot think quick as you do. I am slow. I must have
time. I want to work it all out. Wait till to-night," she urged. "Then
we can--"

"Good, we will make it all up to-night," he said, and he patted her
shoulder as one would that of a child. It had the slight flavour of the
superior and the paternal.

She almost shrank from his touch. If he had kissed her she would have
felt that she must push him away; and yet she also knew how good a man
he was.

CHAPTER XI. THE CLERK OF THE COURT KEEPS A PROMISE

"Well, what is it, M'sieu' Fille? What do you want with me? I've got a
lot to do before sundown, and it isn't far off. Out with it."

George Masson was in no good humour; from the look on the face of the
little Clerk of the Court he had no idea that he would disclose any good
news. It was probably some stupid business about "money not being paid
into the Court," which had been left over from cases tried and lost;
and he had had a number of cases that summer. His head was not so clear
to-day as usual, but he had had little difficulties with M'sieu' Fille
before, and he was sure that there was something wrong now.

"Do you want to make me a present?" he added with humorous impatience,
for though he was not in a good temper, he liked the Clerk of the Court,
wh