happened in the fortress while I have been setting
monsieur on his way?"

"This morning, about dawn, I heard a great tramping of soldiers in the
hall. One of the women told me prisoners had been brought in."

"Yes. The Swiss said he had news. And how has the Lady Dorinda fared?"

"Well, indeed. She has described to me three times the gorgeous pageant
of her marriage."

They had reached the fireplace, and Marie laughed as she warmed her
hands before a pile of melting logs.

"Give our sea-tossed bundle and its mother a warm seat, Zelie," she said
to her woman.

The unknown girl was placed near the hearth corner, and constrained to
take upon her knees an object which she held indifferently. Antonia's
eyes rested on her, detecting her half-concealed face, with silent
disapproval.

"We found a child on this expedition."

"It hath a stiffened look, like a papoose," observed Antonia. "Is it
well in health?"

"No; poor baby. Attend to the child," said Marie sternly to the mother;
and she added, "Zelie must go directly with me to my chests before she
waits on me, and bring down garments for it to this hearth."

"Let me this time be your maid," said Antonia.

"You may come with me and be my resolution, Antonia; for I have to set
about the unlocking of boxes which hold some sacred clothes."

"I never saw you lack courage, madame, since I have known you."

"Therein have I deceived you then," said Marie, throwing her cloak on
Zelie's arm, "for I am a most cowardly creature in my affections, Madame
Bronck."

They moved toward the stairs. Antonia was as perfect as a slim and
blue-eyed stalk of flax. She wore the laced bodice and small cap of New
Holland. Her exactly spoken French denoted all the neat appointments of
her life. This Dutch gentlewoman had seen much of the world; having
traveled from Fort Orange to New Amsterdam, from New Amsterdam to
Boston, and from Boston with Madame La Tour to Fort St. John in Acadia.
The three figures ascended in a line the narrow stairway which made a
diagonal band from lower to upper corner of the remote hall end. Zelie
walked last, carrying her lady's cloak. At the top a little light fell
on them through a loophole.

"Was Mynheer La Tour in good heart for his march?" inquired Antonia,
turning from the waifs brought back to the expedition itself.

"Stout-hearted enough; but the man to whom he goes is scarce to be
counted on. We Protestant French are all held alien by Catholics o