"I was testing the rise of the water when Colonel Menard reached us. The wind makes it seem higher than it really is. You can go and return, captain, while you are hesitating."
"I am torn in two," declared the Indian fighter. "It makes a child of me to leave Angélique behind."
"Francis Saucier," came in shrill French from the screens, "get into that boat, and leave my godchild alone."
The captain laughed. He also kissed the cheeks of tante-gra'mère's godchild and let himself slide down the roof, and the boat was off directly.
The slaves, before returning to their own room, again fastened the sashes of the dormer window. The clamor of bells which seemed to pour through the open window was thus partly silenced. The lantern made its dim illumination with specks of light, swinging from a nail over the window alcove. Maria had not yet unclosed her eyes. Her wasted hand made a network around one of Rice's fingers, and as the coughing spasm seized her she tightened it.
"She wants air," he said hastily, and Angélique again spread wide the window in the gable, when the thin cry of her tante-gra'mère forbade it.
"But, dear tante-gra'mère, Mademoiselle Zhone must have air."
"And must she selfishly give me rheumatism in order to give herself air?"
"But, dear tante-gra'mère"—
"Shut that window."