"I do not see my way. But my way will be shown to me, or word will come sending me back."
Some sign from the lady of the fortress recalled Van Corlaer to his duty as a guest. The supper grew cold while he parleyed. So he turned quickly to take the chair she had set for him, and saw that Antonia was gone.
"Madame Bronck will return," said Marie, pitying his chagrin, and searching her own mind for Antonia's excuse. "We brought a half-starved baby home from our last expedition, and it lies dead upstairs. Women have soft hearts, monsieur: they cannot see such sights unmoved. She hath lost command of herself to-night."
Van Corlaer's face lightened with tenderness. Bachelor though he was, he had held infants in his hands for baptism, and not only the children of Fort Orange but dark broods of the Mohawks often rubbed about his knees.
"You brought your men into the fort, Monsieur Corlaer?"
"No, madame. I sent them back to camp by the falls. We are well provisioned. And there was no need for them to come within the walls."
"If you lack anything I hope you will command it of us."
"Madame, you are already too bounteous; and we lack nothing."
"The Sieur de la Tour being away, the conduct and honor of this fort are left in my hands. And he has himself ever been friendly to the people of the colonies."
"That is well known, madame."