"
He shook his head, not incredulously, but defiantly at fate. "I
would have accepted it," said he, "had I been sure life with her had
been hard as millstones! My love is of the perverse kind, not to be
transmuted by any furnace of fiery trial."
"I have no answer, brother, but this:" and Amdlie stooped and kissed
his fevered forehead. She was too wise to reason in a case where
she knew reason always made default.
"What has happened at the Manor House," asked he after a short
silence, "that aunt is going to return home sooner than she expected
when she left?"
"There are reports to-day of Iroquois on the upper Chaudiere, and
her censitaires are eager to return to guard their homes from the
prowling savages; and what is more, you and Colonel Philibert are
ordered to go to Tilly to look after the defence of the Seigniory."
Le Gardeur sat bolt upright. His military knowledge could not
comprehend an apparently useless order. "Pierre Philibert and I
ordered to Tilly to look after the defence of the Seigniory! We had
no information yesterday that Iroquois were within fifty leagues of
Tilly.
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