"Is it not!" he burst forth, striking the table with his fist. "Know you not I would be rich, but for that fur stealer. By right those should be my furs he sends here in trade. There will be another tale to tell soon, now that La Barre hath the reins of power; and this De Artigny--bah! What care I for that young cockerel--but I hate the brood. Listen, girl, I pay my debts; it was this hand that broke Louis de Artigny, and has kept him to his bed for ten years past. Yet even that does not wipe out the score between us. 'Tis no odds to you what was the cause, but while I live I hate. So you have my orders; you will speak no more with this De Artigny." "'Tis not like I shall have opportunity." "I will see to that. The fool looked at you in a way that made me long to grip his throat; nor do I like your answer, yet 'twill be well for you to mark my words." "Yes, Monsieur." "Oh, you're sweet enough with words. I have heard you before, and found you a sly minx--when my back was turned--but this time it is not I alone who will watch your actions. I have pledged you a husband." I got to my feet, staring at him, the indignant words stifled in my throat. He laughed coarsely, and resumed his meal. "A husband, Monsieur? You have pledged me?" "Ay! why not? You are seventeen, and 'tis my place to see you well settled." "But I have no wish to marry, Monsieur," I protested. "There is no man for whom I care." He shrugged his shoulders indifferently, and laughed. "Pooh! if I waited for that no doubt you would pick out some cockerel without so much as a spur to his heel. 'Tis my choice, not yours, for I know the world, and the man you need. Monsieur Cassion has asked me to favor him, and I think well of it." "Cassion! Surely, you would not wed me to that creature?" He pushed back his chair, regarding me with scowling eyes. "And where is there a better? _Sacre_! do you think yourself a queen to choose? 'Tis rare luck you have such an offer. Monsieur Cassion is going to be a great man in this New France; already he has the Governor's ear, and a commission, with a tidy sum to his credit in Quebec. What more could any girl desire in a husband?" "But, Monsieur, I do not love him; I do not trust the man." "Pah!" He burst into a laugh, rising from the table. Before I could draw back he had gripped me by the arm. "Enough of that, young lady. He is my choice, and that settles it. Love! who ever heard of love nowadays? Ah, I see, you dream already of the young gallant De Artigny. Well, little good that will do you. Why what is he? a mere ragged adventurer, without a sou to his name, a prowling wolf of the forest, the follower of a discredited fur thief. But enough of this; I have told you my will, and you obey. Tomorrow we go to Quebec, to the Governor's ball, and when Monsieur Cassion returns from his mission you will marry him--you understand?" The tears were in my eyes, blotting out his threatening face, yet there was naught to do but answer.