lightly upon my arm.

The motion, simple as it was, angered him.

"You ask why I sought quarrel," he said sternly. "'T was because I
suspected this uncouth hunter had wronged you. Now I understand 't was
of your own choice. I wish you joy, Mademoiselle, of your new
conquest."

I felt the girl's slight form straighten, and saw his bold eyes sink
beneath the flame of her look.

"Captain de Croix," and every sentence stung like the lash of a whip,
"those are cowardly words, unworthy a French gentleman and soldier.
Did you leave all your courtesy behind in Montreal, or dream that in
this wilderness I should cringe to any words you might speak? You wish
the truth; you shall have it. Three days ago, through an accident, I
drifted, in an oarless boat, out from the river-mouth at Fort Dearborn
to the open lake. None knew of my predicament. A storm blew me
helpless to the southward, and after hours of exposure to danger, and
great mental anguish, I was driven ashore amid the desolation of this
sand. This comrade of yours found me scarce alive, ministered to my
sore need, protected me through the hours of the night, stood but now
between me and your ribaldry, counting his life but little beside the
reputation of a woman. He may not wear the latest Paris fashions,
Monsieur, but he has proved himself a man."

"I meant not all I said, Toinette," he hastened to explain. "You will
forgive, I know, for I was sorely hurt to find that some one else had
done the duty that was plainly mine. Surely no rude backwoodsman is to