Jerome and back again.

The thought then dominant was a growing distrust of Jerome, and the
desire to have our movements secret. I remembered Bienville's words
"We know not who to trust," and being ignorant of what orders Serigny
meant to give, or how much information they would convey to Jerome,
deemed it best to let all the occurrences of the day come out. I could
not forget the lad's gallantry, nor must I lose sight of the fact that
as affairs now were, he might very well have gone over to the other
side for the sake of Madame; things stranger than that took place every
day, and I had learned to be discreet. He might thus come into
valuable hints and afterward cast them into the scale against
Bienville, for every means good or bad would be used by them to save
their own influence, to uplift the Duke of Maine. If Bienville were
involved in the general ruin, why, what mattered it to them?

While I remained hesitating for a word, Jerome's ready wit had already
comprehended my purpose. He took the words from my lips. His
countenance first flushed, then became hard and fixed, compelling me
for the time into silence.

"Monsieur de Serigny, I perhaps can speak you better our good Captain's
mind. He mistrusts me--."

"You?" burst out Serigny greatly surprised. "Why you have ever been
our staunch and loyal friend. What is this, Captain de Mouret, surely
you are above a young man's jealousy?"

Jerome gave me no time to explain.

"Softly, softly, sir. The Captain has good cause. Give me heed, my
friends. To you, M. de Serigny, I will say upon my honor, which until
this day was never stained by thought or deed, I will say,--this day I
would have betrayed you. Nay, do not look so pained and unbelieving;
all men are mortal, and passions stronger even than duty, stronger than
loyalty, yea, stronger than honor itself, may tyrannize over the best
of us. I repeat, this day would I gladly have betrayed you, betrayed
my friends to save--well it boots not whom, but a woman. For the woman
I love may lose her liberty if not her life when those accursed papers
reach the hands of the King. I was mad, and at this moment doubt and
fear myself. It is better not to trust me with your plans; the Captain
is right. Jerome de Greville never yet deceived a friend, but for the
love of God, Messires, do not tempt him now," and he faced about with
unsteady step and started toward the door. Before we could detain him
he was go