As in the
case of a premature blight, let the plant quicken and revive as it
may, the effects of that withering touch were always present.
Tachechana first stripped her person of every vestige of those rude
but highly prized ornaments, which the liberality of her husband had
been wont to lavish on her, and she tendered them meekly, and without
a murmur. as an offering to the superiority of Inez. The bracelets
were forced from her wrists, the complicated mazes of beads from her
leggings, and the broad silver band from her brow. Then she paused,
long and painfully. But it would seem, that the resolution, she had
once adopted, was not to be conquered by the lingering emotions of any
affection, however natural. The boy himself was next laid at the feet
of her supposed rival, and well might the self-abased wife of the
Teton believe that the burden of her sacrifice was now full.
While Inez and Ellen stood regarding these several strange movements
with eyes of wonder, a low soft musical voice was heard saying in a
language, that to them was unintelligible--
"A strange tongue will tell my boy the manner to become a man.
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