And so it was that when Papa Louis returned the next day it was to find that François was again on his back, but, to his great relief, that Lendert Verplanck had departed, therefore the suggestion of François could not be carried out. “I am no Jacobite,” he told François, “and I believe in the good intentions of Jacob Leisler, but he has resorted to strong measures, and has gone so far that he cannot retreat. I have talked the matter over with my good friends, and though one is of one opinion and one is of another, the good God has settled my part in the matter by removing temptation. I return, M. Verplanck has departed, the plot ends. As for yourself, monsieur——”
“As for me——”
“You remain? To help us if we need to resist the attacks of your countrymen from Canada?”
François was moodily silent and remained so, in strange contrast to his former loquacity, so that Michelle’s fears were aroused and she warned Alaine. “He is very mute these days, that wolf, but his white teeth are strong and his eyes have still their evil gleam. My lamb must not go near him.”
“I will keep out of the way,” replied Alaine. “I am not anxious to spend my time in the company of M. Dupont.” And she contrived so well that he seldom saw her.
She found little difficulty in making her escape the day of Papa Louis’s return. She ran down to the well-known spot where Pierre was to meet her. What plan had he been able to contrive? She found him standing by the water’s edge gazing out upon the sound. He did not hear her approach, and she stood for a moment regarding him. His grave face wore a sadder look than usual; the quiet, firm lips were pressed together determinedly, but there was a singularly sweet expression in the face, and Alaine sighed. Poor Pierre, how sad a fate that had not let her love him!
At the sound of his name softly spoken he turned, and a flush of pleasure lighted up his dark eyes. “Alaine, Alainette,” he said, holding out his hands.
She came and laid hers in them. “Are you going away, Pierre? Is that why you wished to say farewell?”
“I go, but a longer journey than you thought. I go for you, Alaine.”
“Oh, no, no; I cannot let you do that.”