"Why I choose peace, of course, Monsieur," I answered, assuming a carelessness I was far from feeling. "Am I not your wife? Surely you remind me of it often enough, so I am not likely to forget; but I resent the insult of your words, nor will you ever win favor from me by such methods. I have been friendly with Sieur de Artigny, it is true, but there is nothing more between us. Indeed no word has passed my lips in his presence I would not be willing for you to hear. So there is no cause for you to spare him on my account, or rest his fate on any action of mine." "You will have naught to do with the fellow?" "There would be small chance if I wished, Monsieur; and do you suppose I would seek companionship with one who had killed my uncle?" "'Twould scarce seem so, yet I know not what you believe." "Nor do I myself; yet the evidence is all against the man thus far. I confess I should like to hear his defense, but I make you this pledge in all honor--I will have no word with him, on condition that you file no charges until we arrive at Fort St. Louis." "Ah!" suspiciously, "you think he has friends there to hold him innocent." "Why should I, Monsieur? Indeed, why should I care but to have justice done? I do not wish his blood on your hands, or to imagine that he is condemned because of his friendship for me rather than any other crime. I know not what friends the man has at the Rock on the Illinois. He was of La Salle's party, and they are no longer in control. La Barre said that De Baugis commanded that post, and for all I know De Tonty and all his men may have departed." "'Tis not altogether true, and for that reason we are ordered to join the company. De Baugis has the right of it under commission from La Barre, but does not possess sufficient soldiers to exercise authority. La Salle's men remain loyal to De Tonty, and the Indian tribes look to him for leadership. _Mon Dieu_! it was reported in Quebec that twelve thousand savages were living about the fort--ay! and De Artigny said he doubted it not, for the meadows were covered with tepees--so De Baugis has small chance to rule until he has force behind him. They say this De Tonty is of a fighting breed--the savages call him the man with the iron hand--and so the two rule between them, the one for La Barre, and the other for La Salle, and we go to give the Governor's man more power." "You have sufficient force?" "Unless the Indians become hostile; besides there is to be an overland party later to join us in the spring, and Sieur de la Durantaye, of the regiment of Carignan-Salliers is at the Chicago portage. This I learned at St. Ignace." "Then it would seem to me, Monsieur, that you could safely wait the trial of De Artigny until our arrival at the fort. If he does not feel himself suspected, he will make no effort to escape, and I give you the pledge you ask."