“Hell’s fire! How did I know; you have time enough to spare for others, although I have had no word with you since you came. I come now only to tell you the news.”
“If it be the condemnation of Sieur de Artigny, you may spare your words.”
“You know that! Who brought you the message?”
“What difference, Monsieur? I would know the result without messenger. You have done your master’s will. What said De Tonty when you told him?”
Cassion laughed, as though the memory was pleasant.
“Faith, Madame, if you base your hopes there on rescue you’ll scarce meet with great result. De Tonty is all bark. Mon Dieu! I went in to hold him to account for his insult, and the fellow met us with such gracious speech, that the four of us drank together like old comrades. The others are there yet, but I had a proposition to make you––so I left them.”
“A proposition, Monsieur?”
“Ay, a declaration of peace, if you will. Listen Adele, for this is the last time I speak you thus fairly. I have this De Artigny just where I want him now. His life is in my hands. I can squeeze it out like that; or I can open my fingers, and let him go. Now you are to decide which it is to be. Here is where you choose, between that forest brat and me.”