"Our father and mother will not return for several days yet," said Joanna to Wendot, whom she had placed between herself and Gertrude; "but we have liberty to do what we wish and to go where we like.
"Say, Gertrude, shall we tell Wendot on what we have set our hearts? It may be he would help us to our end."
"I would do anything you bid me, gracious lady," answered Wendot with boyish chivalry.
The girls were eying each other with flushed faces, their voices were lowered so that they should not reach the ears of the Lady Edeline, Joanna's governess, who was seated at the board, although she seldom spoke unless directly addressed by Eleanor, who seemed to be on friendly terms with her.
"Wendot," whispered Joanna cautiously, "have you ever hunted a wolf in your mountains?"
"Ay, many a time, though they be more seldom seen now. But we never rid ourselves altogether of them, do as we will."
"And have you killed one yourself?"
"Yes, I have done that, too."
"And is it very dangerous?"
"I scarce know; I never thought about it. I think not, if one is well armed and has dogs trained to their duties."