Although far from unfeminine
or forward, either in her feelings or her habits, the girl was
goaded by a sense of wrongs not altogether merited, incited by the
hopelessness of a future that seemed to contain no resting place,
and still more influenced by feelings that were as novel to her
as they proved to be active and engrossing. The opening was too
good, therefore, to be neglected, though she came to the subject
with much of the indirectness and perhaps justifiable address of
a woman.
"I do not think Hetty will ever marry, Deerslayer," she said, "and
if your name is to be borne by either of us, it must be borne by
me."
"There's been handsome women too, they tell me, among the Bumppos,
Judith, afore now, and should you take up with the name, oncommon
as you be in this particular, them that knows the family won't be
altogether surprised."
"This is not talking as becomes either of us, Deerslayer, for
whatever is said on such a subject, between man and woman, should
be said seriously and in sincerity of heart. Forgetting the shame
that ought to keep girls silent until spoken to, in most cases, I
will deal with you as frankly as I know one of your generous nature
will most like to be dealt by.
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