“My right-hand man, Gummidge—you met him at supper—has been transferred to Fort Garry,” the factor explained. “He is married, and he and his wife will go by way of the Churchill River and Fort Royal. Mrs Gummidge will be a companion to Miss Hatherton. They expect to start in a week, so as to cover as much ground as possible before the winter sets in.”
“The sooner the better,” said I.
“And what about the marriage?” Captain Rudstone inquired carelessly.
“There will be a priest here—one of the French fathers—in the course of a month,” said the factor, “and I will send him on to Fort Royal.”
I tried hard to appear unconcerned, for I saw that Captain Rudstone was watching me keenly.
“I trust I shall be present for the ceremony,” he remarked. “I go south by that route when I have finished with the business that brought me to the bay. I have three forts to visit hereabouts first.”
The factor sucked thoughtfully at his pipe.
“Hawke is a lucky man,” he said. “By gad, I envy him! Miss Hatherton is the prettiest bit of womanhood I ever clapped eyes on.”
“She is too young for Hawke,” said Captain Rudstone, with a sly glance in my direction.
“She will make him a good wife,” I replied aggressively.