Gabriel interrupted him impatiently.
“But Louis Herbes, is he also at Grand Pré?”
“Alas, no! the wife, she was too strong. They proceeded to Halifax. I too desire to go thither now if thou, who art of Acadie, wilt aid me.”
“When thou needest help before, I was of the hated English,” retorted the young man grimly. “But be I what I may, English or Acadian, I serve honor first—and so bethink thee!”
“Honor? Assuredly, M. le Capitain! Yet listen.” He came nearer, lowering his voice to a whisper. “I come not back, hearest thou?”
“And what of thy countrymen here? Of a certainty they will be held answerable for thy treachery.”
“That will be thy part to arrange,” observed Marin coolly.
Gabriel, ever quick to act, sprang upon the peasant and seized him by the collar of his blouse. For a moment anger deprived him of the power of speech. Then—
“And thou wilt make me traitor too!” he cried. “Almost I could wish that no blood of Acadie ran in my veins!”
“And Margot—is she not Acadian?”