These cheerful preparations for her evening meal recalled Madame La Tour
to the garrison's affairs. Her Swiss lieutenant yet stood by, his arms
and chin settled sullenly on his breast; reluctant to go out and pass
the barrack door where his wife was sheltered.

"Are sentinels set for the night, Klussman?" inquired the lady.

He stood erect, and answered, "Yes, madame."

"I will not wait for my supper before I hear your news. Discharge it
now. I understand the grief you bear, my friend. Your lord will not
forget the faithfulness you show toward us."

"Madame, if I may speak again, put that woman out of the gate. If she
lingers around, I may do her some hurt when I have a loaded piece in my
hand. She makes me less a man."

"But, Klussman, the Sieur de la Tour, whose suspicions of her you have
justified, strictly charged that we restrain her here until his return.
She has seen and heard too much of our condition."

"Our Indians would hold her safe enough, madame."

"Yet she is a soft, feeble creature, and much exhausted. Could she bear
their hard living?"

"Madame, she will requite whoever shelters her with shame and trouble.
If D'Aulnay has turned her forth, she would willingly buy back his favor
by opening this fortress to him. If he has not turned her forth, she is
here by his command. I have thought out all these things; and, madame, I