n--I meet you at the convent and pledge you my aid; some
spy bears word of our conference to Monsieur, and an hour later I
receive word that if I have more to do with you I die. I smile at the
warning and send back a message of insult. Then my invitation to this
ball is withdrawn, and, later still, La Barre even advises that I be
assassinated at the least excuse. 'Twould seem they deem you of
importance, Mademoiselle."

"You make it no more than a joke?"

"Far from it; the very fact that I know the men makes it matter of
grave concern. I might, indeed, smile did it concern myself alone, but
I have your interests in mind--you have honored me by calling me your
only friend, and now I know not where I may serve you best--in the
wilderness, or here in Quebec?"

"There can nothing injure me here, Monsieur, not with Cassion
traveling to the Illinois. No doubt he will leave behind him those who
will observe my movements--that cannot harm."

"It is Hugo Chevet, I fear."

"Chevet! my uncle--I do not understand."

"No, for he is your uncle, and you know him only in such relationship.
He may have been to you kind and indulgent. I do not ask. But to those
who meet him in the world he is a big, cruel, savage brute, who would
sacrifice even you, if you stood in his way. And now if you fail to
marry Cassion, you will so stand. He is the one who will guard you, by
choice of the Commissaire, and orders of La Barre, and he will do his
part well."

"I can remain with the sisters."

"Not in opposition to the Governor; they would never dare antagonize
him; tomorrow you will return with Chevet."

I drew a quick breath, my eyes on his face.

"How can you know all this, Monsieur? Why should my uncle sacrifice
me?"

"No matter how I know. Some of it has been your own confession,
coupled with my knowledge of the man. Three days ago I learned of his
debt to Cassion, and that the latter had him in his claws, and at his
mercy. Today I had evidence of what that debt means."

"Today!"

"Ay! 'twas from Chevet the threat came that he would kill me if I ever
met with you again."

I could but stare at him, incredulous, my fingers unconsciously
grasping his jacket.

"He said that? Chevet?"

"Ay! Chevet; the message came by mouth of the half-breed, his
_voyageur_, and I choked out of him where he had left his master, yet
when I got there the man had gone. If we might meet tonight the matter
would be swiftly settled."

He gazed out