h me back to Montreal. You can
make another and better start to establish this mission."

The priest shook his head.

"I do not see my way. But my way will be shown to me, or word will come
sending me back."

Some sign from the lady of the fortress recalled Van Corlaer to his duty
as a guest. The supper grew cold while he parleyed. So he turned quickly
to take the chair she had set for him, and saw that Antonia was gone.

"Madame Bronck will return," said Marie, pitying his chagrin, and
searching her own mind for Antonia's excuse. "We brought a half-starved
baby home from our last expedition, and it lies dead upstairs. Women
have soft hearts, monsieur: they cannot see such sights unmoved. She
hath lost command of herself to-night."

Van Corlaer's face lightened with tenderness. Bachelor though he was, he
had held infants in his hands for baptism, and not only the children of
Fort Orange but dark broods of the Mohawks often rubbed about his knees.

"You brought your men into the fort, Monsieur Corlaer?"

"No, madame. I sent them back to camp by the falls. We are well
provisioned. And there was no need for them to come within the walls."

"If you lack anything I hope you will command it of us."

"Madame, you are already too bounteous; and we lack nothing."

"The Sieur de la Tour being away, the conduct and honor of this fort are
left in my hands. And he has himself ever been friendly to the people of
the colonies."

"That is well known, madame."

Soft waxlight, the ample shine of the fire, trained service, and housing
from the chill spring night, abundant food and flask, all failed to
bring up the spirits of Van Corlaer. Antonia did not return to the
table. The servingmen went and came betwixt hall and cook-house. Every
time one of them opened the door, the world of darkness peered in, and
over the night quiet of the fort could be heard the tidal up-rush of the
river.

"The men can now bring our ship to anchor," observed Marie. Father
Jogues and his donne, eating with the habitual self-denial of men who
must inure themselves to hunger, still spoke with Van Corlaer about
their mission. But during all his talk he furtively watched the
stairway.

The dwarf sat on her accustomed stool beside her lady, picking up bits
from a well heaped silver platter on her knees; and she watched Van
Corlaer's discomfiture when Lady Dorinda took him in hand and Antonia
yet remained away.

V.

JONAS BRONCK'S HAND.