In a manner, therefore, she is our prisoner, though never went prisoner
so helplessly with her captors."

"Yes, any one might take such a creature," said Klussman.

"Those are no fit words to speak, Klussman."

He was unready with his apology, however, and tramped on without again
looking behind. Madame La Tour glanced at her ship, which would have to
wait for wind and tide to reach the usual mooring.

"Did you tell me you had news?" she was reminded to ask him.

"Madame, I have some news, but nothing serious."

"If it be nothing serious, I will have a change of garments and my
supper before I hear it. We have had a hard voyage."

"Did my lord send any new orders?"

"None, save to keep this poor girl about the fort; and that is easily
obeyed, since we can scarce do otherwise with her."

"I meant to ask in the first breath how he fared in the outset of his
expedition."

"With a lowering sky overhead, and wet red clay under-foot. But I
thanked Heaven, while we were tossing with a broken mast, that he was
at least on firm land and moving to his expectations."