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"I shall not question Madame de Montlivet about her cousin." Perhaps my tone was weary. It is hard to hold up a shield night and day. I was conscious that Cadillac's look altered. He withdrew his glance; he pushed a hand toward me. "It is a shame, Montlivet." "Shall we let it go without discussion, monsieur?" "No. Montlivet, you are more a fool than any man I ever knew.
The best fisherman may let a fish slip once from his net by accident, but his wits are fat if he lets it go a second time." I knew he was troubled. He saw no possession in my face, and he thought me weak. And then I took the woman to Cadillac's tent. Cadillac's tent held a couch of brush covered with skins, and I led the woman to it and bade her sit. Then I moved away and stood by the rough table.
I assure you the wilderness is no sweeter in my eyes while he is here." She handed me Cadillac's letter. "I think that you know what I mean," She said. "Your commandant is a wise man. Monsieur, I do not understand Lord Starling's purpose in this journey, but I am afraid that Monsieur de la Mothe-Cadillac is right. My cousin may be treating secretly with the Indians.
"The letter said that you must deliver me to my cousin if we were found. What will be done with you, monsieur, if you refuse to obey?" Then I bent close and let her hear me laugh softly. "I know of no warrant that applies to you," I murmured. "Cadillac's letter mentioned an Englishman. I know of none such. I travel with a woman, my wife, and commandants have naught to do with us.
But in the moment of silence I heard again what I had forgotten, the roar of the camp outside. It seemed louder than it had been, and it claimed my thought. I checked my breath to listen, holding the woman's hand in mine. And while we listened, Cadillac's loud step and cheerful voice came down the passage. The woman drew her hand away, and I let her go. I let her go as if I were ashamed.
I hated the farce of the whole affair, and when I ran my eye over Cadillac's message, which I could forecast word for word, I felt like a play-acting fool. But I read it and put it in my pocket. "You have had a long trip, Lord Starling," I said, with some show of courtesy. "It is new to see a man of your nation in this land!" He waved me and my words into limbo.
I have cursed myself for that ever since. Cadillac stopped. "Are you there, Montlivet?" he called. "When you are at leisure, come to my room." I heard his step retreat. And then I turned to the woman. But with Cadillac's voice a change had come. My mind was again heavy with anxiety. I remembered the thronging Indians without, the pressing responsibilities within. I remembered the volcano under us.
I saw belief, heart hunger, love. And then I laid my lips on hers. She was my wife. She was the woman God had made for me, the woman who had trusted me through more than death, and who had come to me through blood and agony and tears. She was my own, and I had her there alive. I took her to myself. Hours passed and the flap of Cadillac's tent was not lifted.
"I had to follow madame," I said mechanically. "She might have needed me." Cadillac's teeth clicked. "Madame" he began, but he swallowed the sentence, and rose and walked the floor. "Do you realize what you have done? Do you realize what you have done?" he boiled out at me. "This desertion may have cost you your hold with the western tribes." "I realize that."
With hate in my throat I tried to speak justly. "He has an intelligent mind, but a coward's spirit. I think the two elements war in him ceaselessly. I would not trust him, monsieur. Is he on friendly terms with Pemaou now?" "I do not know." "I wish you would find out for me. You have agents." "Madame de Montlivet could tell you." I felt Cadillac's eyes.
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