"That she was! A clever wench and a brave one, Nanette! Although," the poet's jovial eyes studied the dark face, "unless I am mistaken, she found the task to her liking!"
"You treated her, the Governor's daughter, well?" said the other abruptly.
"Gave her your cabin, mon capitaine, where," chuckling, "she ruled like a despot. Not once did she whimper, or beg favor—for herself! For the Marquis, it is true, she did plead—that day we took them!"
"He's her betrothed!" said the young man shortly.
"A marionette!" gibed the poet. "Some of the men were for making short shrift of him, and they might have—only for her!"
"They will soon be safe enough together now!" remarked the Black Seigneur.
Again a peculiar, half-questioning expression shaded the poet's eyes, while furtively he regarded the young man. "Yes, they ought to be!"
"The terms of exchange—what were they?"
"You for her! That was our demand. After the place had been agreed upon, his Excellency asked to name the hour, and further interjected a condition, binding both parties to secrecy in the matter, that the people might not know. They acted badly when the soldiers returned to the Mount without his daughter; they might behave worse, no doubt he thinks, when they come back with her."
"So will she be safely returned in the darkness! A wise provision!"