look, mademoiselle, it is all over. See, the sky is gentle, and the
Indians are friendly, and my sword---- Well, I will not leave you,
mademoiselle, until you tell me to go. But I must say more. Your
cousin---- Is he Lord Starling?"

"Yes."

"Lord Starling is probably alive. If he is, he is searching for you.
Have you thought of that?"

"But the wilderness,--the terrible leagues of wilderness! He could not
track me, monsieur."

"When there is money and influence, even the wilderness has messengers.
He was close to the person of James. Is he a Catholic?"

"He professed it, monsieur."

I shook my head. "You are very bitter. You need not be. He was
insane that night. I have known the sight of Indian butchery to turn
good men into whimpering animals. He was not responsible. I know that
he is lavishing time and fortune and strength to find you now."

I thought she winced. "You know this, monsieur?"

It was my turn to look away. "I know something of a man's heart," I
answered deliberately. "If I loved you, mademoiselle, and lost
you--lost you, and played the craven,--I should find you. The
wilderness would not matter. I should find you. I should find you,
and retrieve myself--some way. Lord Starling has wit and daring, else