“No, Madame, yet I cannot deem your reason an 242 unworthy one––yet wait; could it be fear for my life?”
“It was that, and that only, Monsieur. The truth came to me in a flash when I first perceived the canoe approaching yonder. I felt that hate rather than love urged Cassion to make search for us. He knew of your attempt at rescue, and if he found us here together alone, he would care for nothing save revenge. He has the power, the authority to condemn you, and have you shot. I saw no way to preserve your life, but to keep you out of his grip, until you were with your friends at Fort St. Louis.”
“You sacrificed yourself for me?”
“’Tis no more than you did when you leaped from the canoe.”
“Pah, that was a man’s work; but now you risk more than life; you peril reputation––”
“No, Monsieur; no more, at least, than it was already imperiled. Cassion need never know that I saw his searching party, and surely no one can justly blame me for being rescued from death. One does not ask, in such a moment, who the rescuer is. I feel I have chosen right, Monsieur, and yet I must trust you to never cause me to regret that I am the wife of Monsieur Cassion.”
To my surprise his face brightened, his eyes smiling, as he bowed low before me.
“Your confidence shall not be betrayed, Madame,” he said gallantly. “I pledge you my discretion whatever circumstances may arise. There is no cur in the De Artigny strain, and I fight my own battles. Some day I shall be face to face with Francois Cassion, and if then I fail to strike home it will be memory of your faith which restrains my hand. And now I rejoice that I can make your sacrifice less grievous.”
“In what way, Monsieur?”