I have already told you. I scarce have memory of her, yet I
bear her name, and, I am told, inherit many of her peculiarities. She
was the daughter of a great merchant at Montreal, and the blood of a
noble family of France flowed in her veins. She gave up all else to
become my father's wife; nor did she ever live to regret it."

Her voice was so low and plaintive that I hesitated to speak; yet
finally, as she ceased, and silence fell between us, I asked another
question:

"And 't was then you voyaged into this wilderness with your father?"

"I have never since left him while he lived," she answered softly, her
head resting upon her hand. "But he also has gone now, and I merely
wait opportunity to journey eastward."

"He was a trader, you told me once?"

"A soldier first, Monsieur; a true and gallant soldier, but later he
traded with the Indians for furs."

I felt that she was weeping softly, although I could see but little,
and I leaned in silence against the rough logs, gazing out into the
black night, hesitating to break in upon her grief. Then a voice spoke
rapidly at the farther end of the stockade, and a sudden glow of light
shot like an arrow along the platform. I turned quickly, and there in
the open doorway, clearly outlined against the candle flame, stood De
Croix.

CHAPTER XIII

A WAGER OF FOOLS

"It looks a narrow walk, my friend," he said rather doubtfully, peering
forward with shaded eyes, "and 'tis dark as Erebus; yet gladly will I
make the venture for hope of the reward."

The door closed behind him, shutting off the last vestige of light; and
we, with our eyes accustomed to the gloom, could mark his dim outline
as he advanced toward us. His actions belied his words, for he moved
with all his accustomed jauntiness along the uncertain foot-way, barely
touching the top of the palisades with one hand to guide his progress.
He was almost upon the girl before he perceived either of us; and then
his earliest words surprised me into silence.

"Ah, Toinette!" he cried eagerly, "I fear I must have kept you waiting
overlong; yet I was with Mrs. Helm,--a most fair and charming
bride,--and scarce noted the rapid passage of time."

"I naturally supposed it was a woman," she answered, with what I
interpreted as a strained assumption of indifference, "as that has ever
been your sufficient reason for breaking faith with me."

"Do not interpret it so, I beg," he hastened to implore. "Surely, m