He told his story and the plans of the Dubrays.
"Then I can stay here," she cried with kindling eyes, reaching out her small hand as if to sign her right in Madame's.
Madame's eyes, too, were joyous as she raised them in a sort of gratitude to her visitor.
"How strange it comes about," she cried. "And now, M. Destournier, will you learn all you can about this Catherine Arlac; where she came from in France, and if she was any sort of a trustworthy person? It may some day be of importance to the child."
"Yes, anything I can do to advance her interest you may depend on. Are you happy, little one?"
"I could fly like a bird, I am so light with joy. But I would not fly away from here. Oh, then I shall not have to go back! I was frightened at M. Dubray."
"I don't wonder. Yet these are the kind of men New France needs, who are not afraid of the wilderness and its trials. The real civilization follows on after the paths are trodden down. Did you go out yesterday?" to the lady.
"Only on the gallery."
"That was safest. Such a crowd was fit only for Indian women, and some of them shrank from it, I noticed. You heard the news about the King?"
"The sad, sad news. Yes."