“It will bring things to a head,” he answered. “After danger and busy days, to be merely safe, it is scarce the life for Michel de la Forêt. I have my duty to the comtesse; I have my love for you; but I seem of little use by contrast with my past. And yet, and yet,” he added, half sadly, “how futile has been all our fighting, so far as human eye can see!”
“Nothing is futile that is right, Michel,” the girl replied. “Thou hast done as thy soul answered to God’s messages: thou hast fought when thou couldst, and thou hast sheathed thy blade when there was naught else to do. Are not both right?”
He clasped her to his breast, then, holding her from him a little, looked into her eyes steadily a moment.
“God hath given thee a true heart, and the true heart hath wisdom,” he answered.
“You will not seek escape? Nor resist the governor?” she asked, eagerly.
“Whither should I go? My place is here by you, by the Comtesse de Montgomery. One day it may be I shall return to France and to our cause—”
“If it be God’s will.”
“If it be God’s will.”
“Whatever comes, you will love me, Michel?”
“I will love you whatever comes.”