it. Upon a wall hung a big
crucifix of wood, and under it an old man was standing.

He heard me stir and came toward me. I recognized the massive
shoulders and commanding countenance of Pere Antoine, and remembrance
came back to me.

"Where am I?" I asked.

"In my cabin, _monsieur_," answered the priest, standing at my side, an
inscrutable calm upon his face.

"You saved me?"

"Three days ago. You were dying in the snow. You had fired off your
pistols and had thrown your coat away. I had to carry you back and
find it. It is lucky that I found you, _monsieur_, or assuredly you
would soon have been dead. But for your dog----"

"_My_ dog!" I exclaimed.

"Certainly, a dog came to me and brought me a mile out of my route to
where you were lying. But, now, come to think of it, it disappeared
and has not returned. Perhaps it was sent to me by _le bon Dieu_."

"Where is Mlle. Duchaine?" I burst out.

"Ah, M. Hewlett," said the priest, looking at me severely, "that was a
wild undertaking of yours, and God does not prosper such schemes,
though I confess I do not understand why you were taking her to her
home. Rest assured she is in good hands. I met the sleigh containing
her, and M. Leroux informed me that all would be well. It is strange
that he did not speak of you, though, and I do not understand how----"

"He stole her from me when I was snow-blind, and left me to die!" I
exclaimed. "I must rescue her----"

Father Antoine laid a heavy hand upon my shoulder.

"Be assured, _monsieur_, that _madame_ is perfectly happy and contented
with her friends," he said. "And no doubt she has already regretted
her escapade. Did I not warn you in Quebec, _monsieur_, that your
enterprise would be brought to naught? And now you will doubtless be
glad of your lesson, and will abandon it willingly and return homeward.
I have to depart at daybreak upon an urgent mission a hundred miles
away, which was interrupted by your rescue; but I shall be back within
a week, by which time you will doubtless be able to accompany me to the
coast. Meanwhile, you will rest here, and my provisions and a few
books are at your disposal."

"I shall not!" I cried weakly. "I am going on to the _chateau_!"

He looked at me steadily.

"You cannot," he said. "If you attempt it you will perish by the way."

"You cannot stop me!" I cried desperately.

"Perhaps not, _monsieur_; nevertheless, you will not be able to reach
the _chatea