"Forget you, monsieur?" said he. "As soon forget the devil at
mass! But I thought you dead by now, and--"
"If you are disappointed," said I, "there is a way"; and I waved
towards his men, then to Mr. Stevens and my own ambushed fellows.
He smiled an acid smile, and took a pinch of snuff. "It is not
so fiery-edged as that," he answered; "I can endure it."
"You shall have time too for reverie," answered I.
He looked puzzled. "What is't you wish?" he asked.
"Your surrender first," said I, "and then your company at
breakfast."
"The latter has meaning and compliment," he responded, "the former
is beyond me. What would you do with me?"
"Detain you and your shallop for the services of my master, the
King of England, soon to be the master of your master, if the signs
are right."
"All signs fail with the blind, monsieur."
"I will give you good reading of those
signs in due course," retorted I.
"Monsieur," he added, with great, almost too great dignity, "I am
of the family of the Duc de Mirepoix. The whole Kamaraska Isles are
mine, and the best gentlemen in this province do me vassalage. I
make war on none, I have stepped aside from all affairs of state, I
am a simple gentleman.
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