She talked little, and most with the governor; but her presence seemed pervasive, the aura in her veins flowed from her eye and made an atmosphere that lighted even the scarred and rather sulky faces of two officers of His Majesty near.

They had served with Nicholls in Spain, but not having eaten King Louis's bread, eyed all Frenchmen askance, and were not needlessly courteous to Iberville, whose achievements they could scarce appreciate, having done no Indian fighting.
Iberville sat at the governor's end, Gering at the other.

It was noticed by Iberville that Gering's eyes were much on Jessica, and in the spirit of rivalry, the legitimate growth of race and habit, he began to speak to her with the air of easy but deliberate playfulness which marked their first meeting.
Presently she spoke across the table to him, after Colonel Nicholls had pledged him heartily over wine.

The tone was a half whisper as of awe, in reality a pretty mockery.

"Tell me," she said, "what is the bravest and greatest thing you ever did ?" "Jessica, Jessica!" said the governor in reproof.