“Where were you,” he gasped, “when they attacked De Lamourie’s? Did you not—promise—to save the place?”
“I was a fool,” said I, between my teeth. “I thought the might of my name had saved it. I went to the Habitants. When I got back it was over.”
“Ah!” was all he said, husbanding his breath.
“And they think I am a traitor—that I sanctioned it,” I went on in a bitter voice.
He gave a short laugh, impatiently.
“Who?” he asked.
“Monsieur and Madame,” said I, “and, possibly, Mademoiselle also.”
“I could—have told them better than that,” he panted; “I know a man.”
Under the circumstances I did not think that modesty required me to disclaim the compliment.
A little further on he clutched me by the arm, and stopped, gasping.