She realized that she was entering upon a life absolutely different from her former one, and the thought caused her to shrink from the ordeal.

Yet all the suggestions regarding her future home; the stories told about Indians, renegades, and of the wild border-life, fascinated her.
These people who had settled in this wild region were simple, honest and brave; they accepted what came as facts not to be questioned, and believed what looked true.

Evidently the fur-trader's wife and her female neighbors had settled in their minds the relation in which the girl stood to Joe.
This latter reflection heightened Nell's resentment toward her lover.

She stood with her face turned away from Mrs.Wentz; the little frown deepened, and she nervously tapped her foot on the floor.
"Where is my sister ?" she presently asked.
"She went to see the wagon-train come in.

Everybody's out there." Nell deliberated a moment and then went into the open air.