That's about
past now. The Acadians are descended from peasants, that's true, while
some Creoles are from the French nobility. But, hooh! wouldn't any
fair-minded person"--the horsemen are within earshot; they are
staring at the silk hat--"Adjieu."

"Adjieu." They pass.

"--Wouldn't any fair-minded person that knows what France was two or
three hundred years ago--show you some day in the 'Album'--about as
lief be descended from a good deal of that peasantry as from a good
deal of that nobility? I should smile! Why, my dear--friend, the day's
coming when the Acadians will be counted as good French blood as there
is in Louisiana! They're the only white people that ever trod this
continent--island or mainland--who never on their own account
oppressed anybody. Some little depredation on their British neighbors,
out of dogged faithfulness to their king and church,--that's the worst
charge you can make. Look at their history! all poetry and pathos!
Look at their character! brave, peaceable, loyal, industrious,
home-loving"--

But Zosephine was looking at the speaker. Her face is kindled with the
inspiration of his praise. His own eyes grow ardent.

"Look at their women! Ah, Josephine, I'm looking at one! Don't turn
away.

--'One made up
Of loveliness alone;
A woman, of her gentle sex
The seeming paragon.'

'The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;
A perfect woman nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and command.'

"You can't stop me, Josephine; it's got to come, and come right now.
I'm a homeless man, Josephine, tired of wandering, with a heart bigger
and weaker than I ever thought I had. I want you! I love you! I've
never loved anybody before in my life except myself, and I don't find
myself as lovely as I used. Oh, take me, Josephine! I don't ask you to
love as if you'd never loved another. I'll take what's left, and be
perfectly satisfied! I know you're ambitious, and I love you for that!
But I do think I can give you a larger life. With you for a wife, I
believe I could be a man you needn't be ashamed of. I'm already at the
head of my line. Best record in the United States, Josephine, whether
by the day, week, month, year, or locality. But if you don't like the
line, I'll throw up the 'A. of U. I.' and go into any thing you say;
for I want to lift you higher, Josephine. You're above me already, by
nature and by rights, but I c