The others burst into coarse laughter. Then the officer pushed her aside. 'I told you not to say another word, didn't I?'
'Don't let her speak to him,' cried Marie. 'She wants to free him.'
'How can I do so?' flashed Menotah. 'There are four men here, and I am unarmed. What can I do?'
'Better put her out of the house,' said Sinclair.
Her face was grand as she turned at him. 'Who saved your life in the forests of the Saskatchewan?'
The hunter turned red, and muttered something awkwardly.
'Ah! let me wish him good-bye. He was my husband, and I love him.'
Her excitement, the heat of returning passion, had made her again lovely. The hair fell in luxurious disorder, the bosom heaved, and eyes glittered between wet lashes. The officer observed all of these things, and did not give the order for her ejection. On the contrary, he bent down and whispered something into her ear. The others guessed what this was, and laughed again.
She did not flinch when the proposal was made. It was indeed what she had expected. 'Honour is nothing to me now.'
'It may be risky all the same,' said Sinclair, addressing the man in command.