“She may be sworn to the man.”
Iberville started, then shook his head incredulously. “He is not worthy of her.”
“Are you?”
“I know her value better and prize it more.”
“You have not seen her for four years.”
“I had not seen you for four years—and yet!”
“You saw her then only for a few days—and she was so young!”
“What are days or years? Things lie deep in us till some great moment, and then they spring into life and are ours for ever. When I kissed King Louis’ hand I knew that I loved my king; when De Montespan’s. I hated, and shall hate always. When I first saw this English girl I waked from youth, I was born again into the world. I had no doubts, I have none now.”
“And the man?”
“One knows one’s enemy even as the other. There is no way but this, Dollier. He is the enemy of my king, and he is greatly in my debt. Remember the Spaniards’ country!”