"I am so much sorry, indeed," he answered coolly, winding the scarf about
his arm. "Mistress Leveret came too soon."

His face wore a peculiar smile, but his eyes burned with anger; his voice
was not excited. Immediately, however, as he looked at Jessica, his mood
seemed to change.

"Morris," he said, "I am sorry. Mademoiselle," he added, "pardon! I
regret whatever gives you pain." Gering came near to her, and Iberville
could see that a flush stole over Jessica's face as he took her hand and
said: "I am sorry--that you should have known."

"Good!" said Iberville, under his breath. "Good! he is worth fighting
again."

A moment afterwards Morris explained to them that if the matter could be
hushed he would not impart it to the governor--at least, not until
Iberville had gone. Then they all started back towards the house. It
did not seem incongruous to Iberville and Gering to walk side by side;
theirs was a superior kind of hate. They paused outside the door, on
Morris's hint, that he might see if the coast was clear, and return the
swords to their place on the wall.

Jessica turned in the doorway. "I shall never forgive you," she said,
and was swallowed by the darkness. "Which does she mean?" asked
Iberville, with a touch of irony. The other was silent.

In a moment Morris came back to tell them that they might come, for the
dining-room was empty still.