"Hell's fire! How did I know; you have time enough to spare for
others, although I have had no word with you since you came. I come
now only to tell you the news."

"If it be the condemnation of Sieur de Artigny, you may spare your
words."

"You know that! Who brought you the message?"

"What difference, Monsieur? I would know the result without messenger.
You have done your master's will. What said De Tonty when you told
him?"

Cassion laughed, as though the memory was pleasant.

"Faith, Madame, if you base your hopes there on rescue you'll scarce
meet with great result. De Tonty is all bark. _Mon Dieu!_ I went in to
hold him to account for his insult, and the fellow met us with such
gracious speech, that the four of us drank together like old comrades.
The others are there yet, but I had a proposition to make you--so I
left them."

"A proposition, Monsieur?"

"Ay, a declaration of peace, if you will. Listen Adele, for this is
the last time I speak you thus fairly. I have this De Artigny just
where I want him now. His life is in my hands. I can squeeze it out
like that; or I can open my fingers, and let him go. Now you are to
decide which it is to be. Here is where you choose, between that
forest brat and me."

"Choose between you? Monsieur you must make your meaning more clear."

"_Mon Dieu_, is it not clear already? Then I will make it so. You are
my wife by law of Holy Church. Never have you loved me, yet I can pass
that by, if you grant me a husband's right. This De Artigny has come
between us, and now his life is in my hands. I know not that you love
the brat, yet you have that interest in him which would prevent
forgiveness of me if I show no mercy. So now I come and offer you his
life, if you consent to be my wife in truth. Is that fair?"

"It may so sound," I answered calmly, "yet the sacrifice is all mine.
How would you save the man?"

"By affording him opportunity to escape during the night; first
accepting his pledge never to see you again."

"Think you he would give such pledge?"

Cassion laughed sarcastically.

"Bah, what man would not to save his life! It is for you to speak the
word."

I stood silent, hesitating to give final answer. Had I truly believed
De Artigny's case hopeless I might have yielded, and made pledge. But
as I gazed into Cassion's face, smiling with assurance of victory, all
my dislike of the man returned, and I shrank back in horror. The
sacrifice was too much, t