"Nevertheless, you look far from well at this moment."
"I have never been so strong," she retorted.
"She dares everything, and no doubt all the while she fears terribly what she dares. She is sublime! Who am I, a lump of sick flesh in this fever trap, to interfere so strictly with this thing of white flame?"
He said to her:
"Listen. I will give you permission to travel on safari as far as Fort Pero d'Anhaya. Beyond that point I cannot promise you protection; so beyond you are not to go. Mr. Teck must come to you there. To-morrow I will see these people of yours, to make sure that they are competent men, able to take all possible precautions for your welfare. Now, then, tell me at least that I am not as cruel and as stupid as you thought."
When she had gone, a young man in a white uniform entered with a sheaf of papers. The governor smothered a groan.
"The summary of the hut tax, Excellency. The post-office reports for last month. The reports of new public works—by the way, the new bridge at Maquival has been finished."
"Ah," said the governor profoundly, staring into space, "the new bridge of Maquival has been finished!"