"Hullo, Placide," he cried. "All goeth well, and the passing night gives promise to us of a brighter day." Later, in his own cabin, he told me of a brief meeting he had with Louis. "For the time we are safe. The King is restless about the safety of the province, and he trusts Bienville as a soldier. The Spanish intrigue keeps our enemies so busy they have not time to disturb us. The King has no man who can take Bienville's place. Well, it's all happily over, and I am as delighted as a child to be at sea again. We would sail at once, now that you are come, were it not for de la Mora; he, with his wife and another lady, are to bear us company. The Chevalier is a thorough soldier, and I welcome him, but like not the presence of the ladies. We may have rough work betimes." I knew my face grew pale, and thanked the half-light for concealment, or he must have noted. Who that "other lady" was, possessed for me no interest, and I never asked. De la Mora. This was terrible, and so unforeseen. Full well I knew I could not spend five long weeks in daily contact with Agnes and give no betraying sign. I must needs have time to think, and that right speedily. "When do they come, sire?" "Any moment; they left--or should have done so--the same time as yourself. His orders were the same." Rapidly as a man could think, so thought I. "How long will you wait for them?" "Until dawn, no longer. Then we sail." A glimmer of hope--de la Mora might be delayed. Without any clearly defined purpose I went on and carefully gave Serigny every detail of information which could be valuable touching the expected trouble in the colonies. Of this my hands should, in any event, be clean. I even handed him the King's new commission directed to Bienville, whereof I was so proud to be the bearer. Whilst ridding my mind of these matters, I could not have said what course I meditated. A boat grating against the vessel's side set me all a tremble, but it was only a letter of instructions. Making some poor excuse to Serigny for the moment, I entered the yawl as it left the ship to go ashore. A well-known voice hailed us ere we made the land. "Ahoy there, the boat," and through the shadows I made out the form of him I dreaded most to see. "Boatman, can you put three of us aboard yonder vessel?" "Aye, sir, it is from her I have just come." "Is thy craft a fit one to carry ladies?" This dashed down the hope he had left his wife behind. "Aye, sir, it is a safe craft, but not a fine ladies' barge. We can go with care and run into no danger. The wind is low." "'Twill serve." I jumped ashore and would have slipped by without speaking had he not recognized me. "By my soul, de Mouret, it is you; and we are to be companions on the voyage. Bravo." He approached me frankly, with outstretched hand and hearty greeting. I would fain have avoided touching his honest palm, but there was no way for it.