"You make too much of a very small matter," he answered; "the ponies would most likely have become quiet of themselves, only it did not seem certain they would have turned the corner quite safely." "I am sure they would not; they were quite unmanageable, and we had not met anybody for a long time.

That road is so quiet." Mary went on talking, fascinated by the charm of the voice that replied to her, until other people did come in, and the spell was broken.

But when Helen moved back into the larger rooms, and she was obliged to follow, she went dreamingly until they found themselves beside their hostess.

Upon her Helen seized, and assailed her with questions.

Who were these two men?
But of all the amazing announcements Lady Deermount had ever had to make respecting her guests, the most amazing perhaps was in her reply.
"He is an Indian Chief, your hero, a true, genuine Uncas, only educated; and the other is an American." An Indian Chief! These were the days when Cooper's novels were the latest fashion, and many a girl's head was turned by visions of splendid heroes--stately, generous, brave, and beautiful--capable of everything that was grandest, noblest, and most fascinating.