feeling, which was so much the more violent from the fact that it
had been with so much difficulty suppressed. At first her sobs were so violent
and uncontrollable that Deerslayer was a little appalled, and he was abundantly
repentant from the instant that he discovered how much greater was the effect
produced by his words, than he had anticipated. Even the austere and exacting
are usually appeased by the signs of contrition, but the nature of Deerslayer
did not require proofs of intense feelings so strong in order to bring him down
to a level with the regrets felt by the girl herself. He arose, as if an adder
had stung him, and the accents of the mother that soothes her child were
scarcely more gentle and winning than the tones of his voice, as he now
expressed his contrition at having gone so far.
    »It was well meant, Judith,« he said, »but it was not intended to hurt your
feelin's so much. I have overdone the advice, I see; yes, I've overdone it, and
I crave your pardon for the same. Fri'ndship's an awful thing! Sometimes it
chides us for not having done enough; and then, ag'in it speaks in strong words
for havin' done too much. Howsever, I acknowledge I've overdone the matter, and
as I've a ra'al and strong regard for you, I rej'ice to say it, inasmuch as it
proves how much better you are, than my own vanity, and consaits had made you
out to be.«
    Judith now removed her hands from her face, her tears had ceased, and she
unveiled a countenance so winning with the smile which rendered it even radiant,
that the young man gazed at her, for a moment, with speechless delight.
    »Say no more, Deerslayer,« she hastily interposed; »it pains me to hear you
find fault with yourself. I know my own weakness, all the better, now I see that
you have discovered it; the lesson, bitter as I have found it for a moment,
shall not be forgotten. We will not talk any longer, of these things, for I do
not feel myself brave enough for the undertaking, and I should not like the
Delaware, or Hist, or even Hetty, to notice my weakness. Farewell, Deerslayer;
may God bless and protect you as your honest heart deserves blessings and
protection, and as I must think he will.«
    Judith had so far regained the superiority that properly belonged to her
better education, high