lowing with her anxiety.

Instantly Iberville was all courtesy. One could not have guessed that he
had just been engaged in a deadly conflict. As his wife entered, Gering
put his sword aside. Iberville closed the door, and the three stood
looking at each other for a moment. Jessica did not throw herself into
her husband's arms. The position was too painful, too tragic, for even
the great emotion in her heart. Behind Iberville's courtesy she read the
deadly mischief. But she had a power born for imminent circumstances,
and her mind was made up as to her course. It had been made up when, at
the critical moment, she had called out Iberville's Christian name. She
rightly judged that this had saved her husband's life, for she guessed
that Iberville was the better swordsman.

She placed her hands with slight resistance on the arms of her husband,
who was about to clasp her to his breast, and said: "I am glad to find
you, George." That was all.

He also had heard that cry, "Pierre," and he felt shamed that his
life was spared because of it--he knew well why the sword had not gone
through his body. She felt less humiliation, because, as it seemed to
her, she had a right to ask of Iberville what no other woman could ask
for her husband.

A moment after, at Iberville's request, they were all seated. Iberville
had pretended not to notice the fingers which had fluttered towards him.
As yet nothing had been said about the duel, as if by tacit consent. So
far as Jessica was concerned it might never have happened. As for the
men, the swords were there, wet with the blood they had drawn, but they
made no sign. Iberville put meat and wine and fruit upon the table,
and pressed Jessica to take refreshment. She responded, for it was in
keeping with her purpose. Presently Iberville said, as he poured a
glass of wine for her: "Had you been expected, madame, there were better
entertainment."

"Your entertainment, monsieur," she replied, "has two sides,"--she
glanced at the swords,--"and this is the better."

"If it pleases you, madame."

"I dare not say," she returned, "that my coming was either pleasant or
expected."

He raised his glass towards her: "Madame, I am proud to pledge you once
more. I recall the first time that we met."

Her reply was instant. "You came, an ambassador of peace to the governor
of New York. Monsieur, I come an ambassador of peace to you."

"Yes, I remember. You asked me then what was the greatest, brave