“It is enough that I have friends, if those whom I thought friends will not aid me.”
The priest was pained by the boy’s rough words.
“I am sorry for this, my son,––for this strange disorder. Did you not receive a message from your Captain?”
Danton hesitated. “Yes,” he said at last. “I received a message,––an order to lie quiet, and let these red beasts burn me to death. Menard is a fool. Does he not know that they will kill him? Does he not know that this is his only chance to escape? He is a fool, I say.”
“You forget, my son.”
“Well, if I do? Must I stay here for the torture because my Captain commands? Why do you hold me here? Let me go. They will be after me.”
“Wait, Danton. What have you said to Mademoiselle?”
The boy looked at him, and for a moment could not speak. 156
“Do you, too, throw that at me, Father? It was all I could do. I thought she cared for her life more than for––for Menard. No, let me go on. I have risked everything to come for her, and she––she––I did not know it would be like this.”
“But what do you plan?” The priest’s voice was more gentle. “Where are you going? You cannot get to Frontenac alone.”