"If the Seigneur is hurt, I will take mademoiselle to him," was his instant reply.
"It may not be, your Excellency," she said. "I will furnish her with other escort."
"And I, as Governor of this province, as commander-in-chief of the army, say that only with my escort shall the lady reach her father."
At this Alixe spoke: "Dear Mere St. George, do not fear for me; God will protect me—"
"And I also, mademoiselle, with my life," interposed
Doltaire.
"God will protect me," Alixe repeated; "I have no fear."
"I will send two of our Sisters with mademoiselle to nurse the poor Seigneur," said Mere St. George.
I am sure Doltaire saw the move. "A great kindness, holy Mother," he said politely, "and I will see they are well cared for. We will set forth at once. The Seigneur shall be brought to the Intendance, and he and his daughter shall have quarters there."
He stepped towards the door where we were. I fell back into position as he came. "Gabord," said he, "send your trusted fellow here to the General's camp, and have him fetch to the Intendance the Seigneur Duvarney, who has been wounded. Alive or dead, he must be brought," he added in a lower voice.
Then he turned back into the room. As he did so, Gabord looked at me inquiringly.