210 A REJECTED APOLOGY. 



of his new-born good resolution, Pierre advanced and 

 held out his hand. 



" I have been, perhaps, too hasty, Mr. M'Leod," said 

 he, " and am sorry if I've given you offence." 



" I never thought much of you," was the ungracious 

 reply ; " but I hardly guessed you were so white-livered 

 as this. What ! you give up your pretensions to Miss 

 Frazer's hand, and say you are sorry for having enter- 

 tained them ?" 



" You must wilfully misunderstand my meaning," 

 replied Pierre, feeling the old leaven of anger rising 

 within him ; " but I cannot even allow you the pretence 

 of doubt. I surrender nothing beyond my foolish de- 

 sire for what is called ' satisfaction/ and which I find 

 my conscience will not allow me to entertain any 

 longer." 



"Ha, ha!" laughed M'Leod; "that's very good! A 

 fellow like you pretending to have a conscience ! I'll 

 tell you, my fine fellow, what your conscience consists 

 of a very rational love of a whole skin. That's your 

 conscience. I shall expect you all the same at the 

 beaver meadow at daybreak ; and," he added in a tone 

 which left no doubt of his sincerity, "if you are not 

 there, I will shoot you like a dog wherever I meet 

 with you. You shall not stand in my way." 



So saying, he turned and walked swiftly towards 

 the fort, where he was followed, though slowly, by the 

 young trapper. 



It is no disparagement of Pierre's courage to say 



