"
"I know, madame."
"But when--when I saw what he had done, when I saw that we were going
west, I warned him that I would leave him. I told him, too, that he
was going to his death. He did not believe me. No watch was kept on
me. He had a small canoe; I took it one night. I had provision--a
little---- I--I--I am here, monsieur."
I stood with my eyes down. "Your cousin wished to follow you. The
Indians restrained him. It was as I told you. He was not a coward at
the last, madame."'
I heard her quick breath. "My cousin,--he was very weak. But he would
have liked not to be. I think that he would have liked to be such a
man as you, monsieur."
If I had been a live man I should have cried out at the irony of having
to hear her say that to me. But I could not feel even shame.
"Hush, hush!" I said slowly. "It is my turn now. Madame, I knew that
you were in the Seneca camp."
"But I was not."
"It is the same as if you were. We had news from Indian runners that
Starling had turned west and joined Pemaou. I knew that he would take
you to the Senecas." I stopped and forced myself to look at her. But
I found no horror in her face. There was still that strange glow of
pride that had not faded since she talked to Cadillac.
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