se of our conference there, and some words La Barre spoke gave
him fresh suspicion that you and I were friends, and should be
watched. I do not altogether blame the man for he learned early that I
thought little of him, and held it no honor to be his wife. Yet that
distrust would have died, no doubt, had it not been fanned into flame
by accident.

"I was kept in his boat, and every instant guarded by either himself,
or Pere Allouez, his faithful servitor, until long after we passed
Montreal, and entered the wilderness. That day I met you on the bluff
was the first opportunity I had found to be alone. Your crew were
beyond the rapids, and Cassion felt there could be no danger in
yielding me liberty, although, had the _pere_ not been ill, 'tis
doubtful if I had been permitted to disappear alone."

"But he knew naught of our meeting?"

"You mistake, Monsieur. Scarcely had you gone when he appeared, and,
by chance, noted your footprints, and traced them to where you
descended the cliff. Of course he had no proof, and I admitted
nothing, yet he knew the truth, and sought to pledge me not to speak
with you again."

"And you made such pledge?"

"No; I permitted him to believe that I did, for otherwise there would
have been an open quarrel. From then until now we have never met."

"No," he burst forth, "but I have been oftentimes nearer you than you
thought. I could not forget what you said to me at that last meeting,
or the appeal you made for my assistance. I realize the position you
are in, Madame, married by force to a man you despise, a wife only in
name, and endeavoring to protect yourself by wit alone. I could not
forget all this, nor be indifferent. I have been in your camp at
night--ay, more than once--dreaming I might be of some aid to you, and
to assure myself of your safety."

"You have guarded me?"

"As best I could, without arousing the wrath of Monsieur Cassion. You
are not angry? it was but the duty of a friend."

"No, I am not angry, Monsieur, yet it was not needed. I do not fear
Cassion, so long as I can protect myself, for if he attempts evil it
will find some form of treachery. But, Monsieur, later I gave him the
pledge he asked."

"The pledge! What pledge?"

"That I would neither meet, nor communicate with you until our arrival
at Fort St. Louis."

My eyes fell before his earnest gaze, and I felt my limbs tremble.

"_Mon Dieu_! Why? There was some special cause?"

"Yes, Monsieur--listen.