As soon as he saw Alice he frowned and began to shake his head; but she only laughed, and imitating his hypocritical scowl, yet fringing it with a twinkle of merry lines and dimples, pointed a taper finger at him and exclaimed: "You bad, bad, man! why did you pretend to me that Lieutenant Beverley was dead?
What sinister ecclesiastical motive prompted you to describe how Long-Hair scalped him?
Ah, Father--" The priest laid a broad hand over her saucy mouth.

"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.