"I never saw you lack courage, madame, since I have known you."

"Therein have I deceived you then," said Marie, throwing her cloak on
Zélie's arm, "for I am a most cowardly creature in my affections, Madame
Bronck."

They moved toward the stairs. Antonia was as perfect as a slim and
blue-eyed stalk of flax. She wore the laced bodice and small cap of New
Holland. Her exactly spoken French denoted all the neat appointments of
her life. This Dutch gentlewoman had seen much of the world; having
traveled from Fort Orange to New Amsterdam, from New Amsterdam to
Boston, and from Boston with Madame La Tour to Fort St. John in Acadia.
The three figures ascended in a line the narrow stairway which made a
diagonal band from lower to upper corner of the remote hall end. Zélie
walked last, carrying her lady's cloak. At the top a little light fell
on them through a loophole.

"Was Mynheer La Tour in good heart for his march?" inquired Antonia,
turning from the waifs brought back to the expedition itself.

"Stout-hearted enough; but the man to whom he goes is scarce to be
counted on. We Protestant French are all held alien by Catholics of our
blood. Edelwald will move Denys to take arms with us, if any one can. My
lord depends much upon Edelwald. This instant," said Marie with a laugh,
"I find the worst of all my discomforts these disordered garments."

The stranger left by the fire gazed around the dim place, which was
lighted only by high windows in front. The mighty hearth, inclosed by
settles, was like a roseate side-chamber to the hall. Outside of this