“The Sieur de Artigny!” I exclaimed.
“Of course,” he answered. “Who else should it be, Madame? Please do not regret my privilege.”
“Your privilege; ’tis a strange word you choose, Monsieur,” I faltered, not yet having control of myself. “Surely I have granted none.”
“Perchance not, as there was small chance,” he answered, evidently attempting to speak lightly. “Nor could I wait to ask your leave; yet surely I may esteem it a privilege to bring you ashore alive.”
“It was you then who saved me? I scarcely understood, Monsieur; I lost consciousness, and am dazed in mind. You leaped into the water from the canoe?”
“Yes; there was no other course left me. My boat was beyond yours, a few yards farther out in the lake, when the storm struck. We were partially prepared, for I felt assured there would be trouble.”
“You told Monsieur Cassion so,” I interrupted, my mind clearing. “It was to bring him warning you returned.”
“I urged him to land until we could be assured of good weather. My Indians agreed with me.”
“And he refused to listen; then you permitted your canoe to fall behind; you endeavored to keep close to the boat I was in––was that not true, Monsieur?”