"A most reasonable beginning," noted Antonia, biting her lips.
"Now I am a man in the stress and fury of mid-life, hard to turn from my purpose, and you well know my purpose. Your denials and puttings-off and flights have pleased me. But your own safety may waste no more good time in further play. I have not come into Acadia to tinkle a song under your window, but to wed you and carry you back to Fort Orange with me."
Antonia stirred, to hide her trembling.
"Are you cold?" inquired Van Corlaer.
"No, mynheer."
"If the air chills you I will warm your hands in mine."
"My hands are well muffled, mynheer."
He adjusted his back against the wall and again opened the conversation.
"I brought a young dominie with me. He wished to see Montreal. And I took care to have with him such papers as might be necessary to the marriage."
"He had best get my leave," observed Madame Bronck.