arling, do we
hide from him, or do we stand still and let Fate throw the dice for us?
What do you wish, madame?"

She looked at me with a little puzzled withdrawal. "Why do you laugh?"
she asked.

I was loath to vex her. But, indeed, I could not check the tide of
joyous excitement that was surging through me. "I do not know quite
why I laugh," I answered truly. "Perhaps it is because the sun is
shining, and because life looks so fair and rich and full of
possibilities. But, madame, we have been tragic too long; it irks us
both. Tell me, now. It rests with you. Shall we paddle northwest and
search for your cousin, Lord Starling?"

She thought a moment. "You wish it?"

"No, madame."

She turned away. "Then why ask me? You said there could not be two
heads in this command."

I sobered. "Now that was a cat's scratch," I rebuked. "You have never
done that before."

The gentleness of her look made me ashamed. "You are suspicious of
me," she said a little sadly. "That was not a scratch, monsieur. I
said what I mean; I prefer to leave the decision in your hands."

"But your wish?"

"It is confused, monsieur."

"But your sense of justice in the matter?"

She was silent a moment, and walked up and down. "I have been trying
to see the right ever since I read the letter," she said quietly.
"This is the best answer I can make. I think that we had better avoid
meeting Lord Starling, monsieur."

I stepped to her side and matched my pace to hers. The robin had been
joined by his mate, and they were singing. "Why, madame?" I asked her,
and when she was still silent I persisted. "Why, madame?"

She lifted grave eyes to me. "I think it will be wise to keep Lord
Starling in the wilderness as long as possible," she answered. "If he
does not find me it may be that he will keep on searching. He may
not,--but again he may. On the other hand, if he finds me he will
assuredly go home."

"And if he does go home? I assure you the wilderness is no sweeter in
my eyes while he is here."

She handed me Cadillac's letter. "I think that you know what I mean,"
She said. "Your commandant is a wise man. Monsieur, I do not
understand Lord Starling's purpose in this journey, but I am afraid
that Monsieur de la Mothe-Cadillac is right. My cousin may be treating
secretly with the Indians. He is a capable man, and not easy to read.
I do not know why he should be here."

I looked down at her. "But I know. H