 I say; then give an answer to the
question I have put.«
    Deerslayer quietly complied, his auditors greedily listening to the
interpretation of the first words that fell from so extraordinary a vision. The
demand seemed perfectly in character for one who had every appearance of an
exalted rank, herself. Rivenoak gave an appropriate reply, by presenting himself
before his fair visiter in a way to leave no doubt that he was entitled to all
the consideration he claimed.
    »I can believe this, Huron,« resumed Judith, enacting her assumed part, with
a steadiness and dignity that did credit to her powers of imitation, for she
strove to impart to her manner the condescending courtesy she had once observed
in the wife of a general officer, at a similar though a more amicable scene: »I
can believe you to be the principal person of this party; I see in your
countenance the marks of thought and reflection. To you, then, I must make my
communication.«
    »Let the Flower of the Woods speak,« returned the old chief courteously, as
soon as her address had been translated so that all might understand it - »If
her words are as pleasant as her looks, they will never quit my ears; I shall
hear them long after the winter of Canada has killed all the flowers, and frozen
all the speeches of summer.«
    This admiration was grateful to one constituted like Judith, and contributed
to aid her self-possession, quite as much as it fed her vanity. Smiling
involuntarily, or in spite of her wish to seem reserved, she proceeded in her
plot.
    »Now, Huron,« she continued, »listen to my words. Your eyes tell you that I
am no common woman. I will not say I am queen of this country; she is afar off,
in a distant land; but under our gracious monarchs, there are many degrees of
rank; one of these I fill. What that rank is precisely, it is unnecessary for me
to say, since you would not understand it. For that information you must trust
your eyes. You see what I am; you must feel that in listening to my words, you
listen to one who can be your friend, or your enemy, as you treat her.«
    This was well uttered, with a due attention to manner, and a steadiness of
tone, that was really surprising, considering all the circumstances of the case.
It was well, though simply rendered into the Indian dialect too, and it was
received with a respect and gravity that augured favourably for the
