“Poor Pierre! I do not know, my friend; I, too, was overjoyed at sight of you, but—no, no, not so near—I do not know, I cannot tell whether it was because of its being Pierre Boutillier or whether it was because it was a deliverer. And then, Pierre,—this is my real reason,—as I have told you, I must release my father before I can consider a marriage with any one.”
“And if I could—if I should release him you would—Alaine, you would marry me?”
“I can make no promise. I would then marry him of whom my father should say, This is he whom I wish for my son. But if there is no way, no way, Pierre, save that I spoke of to you, I must go. You will learn about a ship for me?”
“I will do that.”
“Soon?”
“As soon as I can. There are things I must do first. I have to go away on a mission, Alainette.”
“For whom?”
“For Governor Leisler. When I return I will see you, and then——”
“And then? Why do you look so miserable, Pierre?”
“Because I love you. You do not know how I love you, my Alainette.”