“It is my case, also, monsieur,” replied Barbe.
“How do you like Fort St. Louis?” proceeded Tonty.
“I am enchanted with it.”
“You delight me when you say that. During the last four years I have not made an improvement about the land or in any way strengthened this position without thinking, Mademoiselle Cavelier may sometime approve of this. We are finding a new way of heating our houses with underground flues made of stone and mortar.”
“That must be agreeable, monsieur.”
“We often have hunting parties from the Rock. This country is full of game.”
“It is pleasant to amuse one’s self, monsieur.”
Tonty had many a time seen the silent courtship of the Illinois. He thought now of those motionless figures sitting side by side under a shelter of rushes or bark from morning till night without exchanging a word.
“Mademoiselle, I hope this marriage is agreeable to you?”