Touching his breast, he said gravely: “By this sign here, I am not guilty of the crime for which they come to seek me, Rosalie. Nor of any other crime for which the law might punish me—dear, noble friend.”
He did so little to get such rich return. Her eyes leaped up to brighter degrees of light, her face shone with a joy it had never reflected before, her blood rushed to her finger-tips. She abruptly sat down in a chair and buried her face in her hands, trembling. Then, lifting her head slowly, after a moment she spoke in a tone that told him her faith, her gratitude—not for reassurance, but for confidence, which is as water in a thirsty land to a woman.
“Oh, Monsieur, I thank you, I thank you from the depth of my heart; and my heart is deep indeed, very, very deep—I cannot find what lies lowest in it! I thank you, because you trust me, because you make it so easy to—to be your friend; to say ‘I know’ when any one might doubt you. One has no right to speak for another till—till the other has given confidence, has said you may. Ah, Monsieur, I am so happy!”
In very abandonment of heart she clasped her hands and came a step nearer to him, but abruptly stopped still; for, realising her action, timidity and embarrassment rushed upon her.
Charley understood, and again his impulse was to say what was in his heart and dare all; but resolution possessed him, and he said quickly:
“Once, Rosalie, you saved me—from death perhaps. Once your hands helped my pain—here.” He touched his breast. “Your words now, and what you do, they still help me—here... but in a different way. The trouble is in my heart, Rosalie. You are glad of my confidence? Well, I will give you more.... I cannot go back to my old life. To do so would injure others—some who have never injured me and some who have. That is why. That is why I do not wish to be taken to Quebec now on a false charge. That is all I can say. Is it enough?”
She was about to answer, but Jo Portugais entered, exclaiming. “M’sieu’,” he cried, “men are coming with the Seigneur and Cure.”
Charley nodded at Jo, then turned to Rosalie. “You need not be seen if you go out by the back way, Mademoiselle.” He held aside the bear-skin curtain of the door that led into the next room.
There was a frightened look in her face. “Do not fear for me,” he continued. “It will come right—somehow. You have done more for me than any one has ever done or ever will do. I will remember till the last moment of my life. Good-bye.”
He laid a hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her from the room.