r the instant he knew not what to say. The
girl did not speak; she only kept looking at him with a kind of inward
smiling. Presently, as if he had suddenly lighted upon a piece of news
for the difficulty, he said: "Radisson has come."

"Radisson!" she cried.

"Yes. You know 'twas he that helped George to escape?"

"Indeed, no!" she answered. "Mr. Gering did not tell me." She was
perplexed, annoyed, yet she knew not why.

Gering had not brought Radisson into New York had indeed forbidden him
to come there, or to Boston, until word was given him; for while he felt
bound to let the scoundrel go with him to the Spaniards' country, it was
not to be forgotten that the fellow had been with Bucklaw. But Radisson
had no scruples when Gering was gone, though the proscription had never
been withdrawn.

"We will have to give him freedom, councillor, eh? even though we
proclaimed him, you remember." He laughed, and added: "You would demand
that, yea or nay.

"Why should I?" she asked.

"Now, give me wisdom all ye saints! Why--why?

"Faith, he helped your lover from the clutches of the French coxcomb."

"Indeed," she answered, "such a villain helps but for absurd benefits.
Mr. Gering might have stayed with Monsieur Iberville in honour and
safety at least. And why a coxcomb? You thought different once; and you
cannot doubt his bravery. Enemy of our country though he be, I am surely
bound to speak him well--he saved my life."

Anxious to please her, he answered: "Wise as ever, councillor. What an
old bear am I: When I called him coxcomb, 'twas as an Englishman hating
a Frenchman, who gave our tongues to gall--a handful of posts gone, a
ship passed to the spoiler, the governor of the company a prisoner,
and our young commander's reputation at some trial! My temper was
pardonable, eh, mistress?"

The girl smiled, and added: "There was good reason why Mr. Gering
brought not Radisson here, and I should beware that man. A traitor is
ever a traitor. He is French, too, and as a good Englishman you should
hate all Frenchmen, should you not?"

"Merciless witch! Where got you that wit? If I must, I kneel;" and he
groaned in mock despair. "And if Monsieur Iberville should come knocking
at our door you would have me welcome him lovingly?"

"Surely; there is peace, is there not? Has not the king, because of his
love for Louis commanded all goodwill between us and Canada?"

The governor laughed bitterly. "Much pity that he has! how