“No, madame; the poor lady is not charming. And she will have the biggest of candles for her altar. But then she must amuse herself. I was, indeed, speechless when I saw her turn you out on the stairway. She does not like a woman about, especially a pretty woman, and doubtless she will dismiss my Louise many times. But, madame, let me entreat you to return to sleep and have no fear. I will even lock the doors of her chambers. She will disturb you no more.”
Claire listened aside to some outer sound, and then exclaimed:
“You did not tell me where the commandant is, Jacques. He has not gone back to his fortress, without me?”
Jacques’s face fell into creases of anguish.
“Madame, he said you were to sleep undisturbed till morning.”
“He should have obtained Mademoiselle de Granville’s consent to that. This is not answering a question I have already repeated to you.”
“Madame, he has taken the Indians and gone in his boat. Soldiers must do all sorts of things, especially commandants. He would not expose you to the dangers of the route by night.”
“Listen!” Her expression changed.
Jacques gladly listened.