"I
lost time and the damned Indians left me. When did you discover"----
"I married madame as soon as I discovered. Monsieur, you are of her
family. I can assure you that I have shown your cousin all the respect
and consideration in my power."
He looked at me as if I were some smirking carpet knight who prated of
conventions when a man was dying.
"Where is she?"
"In my camp, monsieur."
"Take me to her."
"Monsieur, I must refuse."
He opened his mouth with a look that cursed me, but before the words
came he thought twice and changed his front. He spoke calmly. "I am
her guardian and her cousin. I was her intended husband. You are a
gentleman. I ask you to bring me to my cousin, monsieur."
His tone of calm possession fired me, I remembered what he was, and I
enumerated his titles in order.
"Yes. You are the guardian who would have married her for her estates;
you are the cousin who played the poltroon and outraged her pride of
family; you are the lover who abandoned her,--abandoned her to torture
and the tomahawk. Is it strange that it is her wish never to see you?
You will spare your pride some hurts if you avoid her in the future,
monsieur."
The great face turned yellow to the eyes.
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