“Certainly not mine,” and I laughed. “I trust, Monsieur, your powers of observation are better than that––’tis hardly a compliment.”
“Nor is this time for any lightness of speech, my lady,” he retorted, his anger fanned by my indifference. “Whose is it then, I ask you? What man has been your companion here?”
“You jump at conclusions, Monsieur,” I returned coldly. “The stray imprint of a man’s boot on the turf is scarcely evidence that I have had a companion. Kindly stand aside, and permit me to descend.”
“Mon Dieu! I will not!” and he blocked my passage. “I have stood enough of your tantrums already in the boat. Now we are alone, and I will have my say. You shall remain here until I learn the truth.”
His rage rather amused me, and I felt not the slightest emotion of fear, although there was threat in his words, and in the gesture accompanying them. I do not think the smile even deserted my lips, as I sought a comfortable seat on a fallen tree trunk, fully conscious that nothing would so infuriate the man as studied indifference.
“Very well, Monsieur, I await your investigation with pleasure,” I said sweetly. “No doubt it will prove interesting. You honor me with the suspicion that I had an appointment here with one of your men?”
“No matter what I suspicion.”
“Of course not; you treat me with marked consideration. Perchance others have camped here, and explored these bluffs.”