.

"Tis the fellow I thought," he burst forth, "and he went down the face
of the bluff yonder. So you dared to have tryst with him?"

"With whom, Monsieur?"

"De Artigny, the young fool! Do you think me blind? Did I not know you
were together in Quebec? What are you laughing at?"

"I was not laughing, Monsieur. Your ridiculous charge does not amuse
me. I am a woman; you insult me; I am your wife; you charge me with
indiscretion. If you think to win me with such cowardly insinuations
you know little of my nature. I will not talk with you, nor discuss
the matter. I return to the camp."

His hands clinched as though he had the throat of an enemy between
them, but angry as he was, some vague doubt restrained him.

"_Mon Dieu_! I'll fight the dog!"

"De Artigny, you mean? Tis his trade, I hear, and he is good at it."

"Bah! a bungler of the woods. I doubt if he ever crossed blades with a
swordsman. But mark you this, Madame, the lad feels my steel if ever
you so much as speak to him again."

There was contempt in my eyes, nor did I strive to disguise it.

"Am I your wife, Monsieur, or your slave?"

"My wife, and I know how to hold you! _Mon Dieu_! but you shall learn
that lesson. I was a fool to ever give the brat place in the boats. La
Barre warned me that he would make trouble. Now I tell you what will
occur if you play false with me."

"You may spare your threats--they weigh nothing. The Sieur de Artigny
is my friend, and I shall address him when it pleases me. With
whatever quarrel may arise between you I have no interest. Let that
suffice, and now I bid you good night, Monsieur."

He made no effort to halt me, nor to follow, and I made my way down
the darkening path, without so much as turning my head to observe his
movements. It was almost like a play to me, and I was reckless of the
consequences, intent only on my purpose.

I was awake a long time, lying alone on my blankets within the silent
tent, and staring out at the darkness. I saw Cassion descend the deer
path, perhaps an hour after I left him, and go on to the main camp
below. He made no pause as he passed, yet walked slowly as though in
thought. Where he went I could not determine in the gloom, yet was
convinced he had no purpose then of seeking De Artigny or of putting
his threat into immediate action. In all probability he believed that
his words would render me cautious, in spite of my defiant response,
and that I would avoid creating troub