Please do
not regret my privilege."

"Your privilege; 'tis a strange word you choose, Monsieur," I
faltered, not yet having control of myself. "Surely I have granted
none."

"Perchance not, as there was small chance," he answered, evidently
attempting to speak lightly. "Nor could I wait to ask your leave; yet
surely I may esteem it a privilege to bring you ashore alive."

"It was you then who saved me? I scarcely understood, Monsieur; I lost
consciousness, and am dazed in mind. You leaped into the water from
the canoe?"

"Yes; there was no other course left me. My boat was beyond yours, a
few yards farther out in the lake, when the storm struck. We were
partially prepared, for I felt assured there would be trouble."

"You told Monsieur Cassion so," I interrupted, my mind clearing. "It
was to bring him warning you returned."

"I urged him to land until we could be assured of good weather. My
Indians agreed with me."

"And he refused to listen; then you permitted your canoe to fall
behind; you endeavored to keep close to the boat I was in--was that
not true, Monsieur?"

He laughed, but very softly, and the grave look did not desert his
eyes.

"You noted me then! Faith, I had no thought you so much as glanced
toward us. Well, and why should I not? Is it not a man's duty to seek
to guard your safety in such an hour? Monsieur Cassion did not realize
the peril, for he knows naught of the treachery of this lake, while I
have witnessed its sudden storms before, and learned to fear them. So
I deemed it best to be near at hand. For that you cannot chide me."

"No, no, Monsieur," and I managed to sit up, and escape the pressure
of his arm. "To do that would be the height of ingratitude. Surely I
should have died but for your help, yet I hardly know now what
occurred--you sprang from the canoe?"

"Ay, when I found all else useless. Never did I feel more deadly
blast; no craft such as ours could face it. We were to your left and
rear when your canoe capsized, and I bore down toward where you
struggled in the water. An Indian got grip upon you as we swept by,
but the craft dipped so that he let go, and then I jumped, for we
could never come back, and that was the only chance. This is the whole
story, Madame, except that by God's help, I got you ashore."

I looked into his face, impressed by the seriousness with which he
spoke.

"I--I thank you, Monsieur," I said, and held out my hand. "It was most
gallant. Are we