"I don't know the rights and wrongs of it," said Hale, looking irritated, presented with a problem he did not want to try to solve.
Auguste said, "My father wanted me to inherit Victoire. There are witnesses. There are two copies of his will, if Raoul hasn't already destroyed them."
Reverend Hale glowered at Auguste. "What if Raoul de Marion's men come looking for you?"
Suddenly, as when facing Raoul at the gateway to Victoire, Auguste felt terribly alone. Nancy would do anything she could for him; after seeing her loving look when he awoke he was sure of that. But there was little enough she could do. Especially because of the way her father so obviously felt about him.
"I'll be gone as quick as I can, Reverend Hale."
"If they come here while Auguste is here you'll have to tell them he's not here and refuse to let them in," said Nancy firmly.
"Lie to them? I'm not a Jesuit."
"Father! Would you let Auguste be killed?"
The word "killed" set a storm of frightful thoughts whirling through Auguste's head. Raoul's pistol had been pointed right at his chest. And Greenglove had tried to brain him. They wouldn't stop until they had killed him. Only then would Raoul be secure in his possession of Victoire. Dazed and hurting though he was, Auguste had to get out of Smith County if he was to live another day.
Hale turned and went back to his own room, shaking his head.