"She must go into the boat directly," said Captain Saucier; and the negroes paid out the rope as he stalked to the screened corner.
Angélique leaned over the sill and the chill wilderness of waters. The wind sung in her ears. She could not distinctly see Colonel Menard, and there was such a sound of waves that she was not sure it was best to try her voice against them. His man had an oar thrust into the broken window below, and was thereby able to hold the boat against the current.
"Monsieur the colonel!" called Angélique; and she saw the swift removal of his hat.
"Mademoiselle, have you been alarmed?"
"Yes, monsieur. Even my father was unable to do anything for the family until you came. But it seems when we find one relief we get another anxiety with it."
"What other anxiety have you now?"
"I am afraid you will be drowned trying to carry us out."
"My bel-o-ved, would you care?" said Pierre Menard, speaking English, which his slave could not understand, and accenting on the first syllable the name he gave her.
"Yes; it would be a serious inconvenience to me," replied Angélique.
"Now that is worth coming here for. De northwest wind, I do not feel it since you say that."