"Hath D'Aulnay many men?"
"He is well equipped."
Edelwald took the packet from his belt and gave it to her. Marie broke the thread and sat down on the settle, spreading D'Aulnay's paper to the firelight. She read it in silence, and handed it to Edelwald. He leaned toward the fire and read it also.
D'Aulnay de Charnisay demanded the surrender of Fort St. John with all its stores, ammunition, moneys and plate, and its present small garrison. When Edelwald looked up, Marie extended her hand for the dispatch and threw it into the fire.
"Let that be his answer," said Edelwald.
"If we surrender," spoke the lady of the fort, "we will make our own terms."
"My lady, you will not surrender."
As she looked at Edelwald, the comfort of having him there softened the resolute lines of her face into childlike curves. Being about the same age she felt always a youthful comradeship with him. Her eyes again filled.
"Edelwald, we have lost ten men."
"D'Aulnay has doubtless lost ten or twenty times as many."