While I had expressed my doubts to Frances concerning Hamilton's emigration to Canada, I had not felt entirely sure there was nothing in it, and she, womanlike, taking the worst for granted, had accepted it as true. But the coming of the Abbé du Boise changed everything, and when I saw her at her father's house and told her of my suspicions, and showed her Le Blanc's letter, she was so greatly alarmed that she said she would rather know that George had gone to Canada than to fear his return to England under the circumstances. "The dastardly king will take his life if he comes," she said. "I admit the danger," I answered, as hopefully as possible, "but I believe, if George comes, he will be able to take care of himself." "Danger!" she exclaimed. "It is certain death! George will find no mercy." "If he is caught," I answered. "But the letter from King Louis will convince King Charles that Hamilton is in Canada and will throw our jealous monarch off his guard. Perhaps Hamilton will be safer than we suppose. He speaks French like a Parisian, but, above all, he is cool, calm, and thoughtful in danger. The London merchants will be far more dangerous than the king." "It does seem that we are guilty of treason to our country in thus helping France," she said. Then laughingly, "But I'll go back to the palace at once and begin my task of wheedling the king." She paused for a moment, then continued hesitatingly, "Do you suppose it possible that George would doubt me afterwards?" "Impossible," I answered, with emphasis that seemed to reassure her. "I am doing it for him," she continued with a sigh. "God knows I would do almost anything in the same cause. But I do not know men, and I fear it is possible that he will doubt me after I have succeeded. Let us go to see Betty. She is restful to me, and always soothes my nerves. But besides, I want to have her help. I'll introduce her to the king--" "No, by God, you'll not introduce her to the king! I'll explode the whole affair, and Dunkirk may go to the devil before you shall introduce Betty to the king," I answered. "Yet you are willing that I should meddle in the dangerous affair? Evidently you love her more than you love me?" "Only a few hundred million times more," I answered sullenly. "Is it that way with you, my dear brother?" she asked, coming to me as I stood gazing out the window, seeing nothing save Bettina's face. Frances put her hand on my shoulder and said coaxingly: "Forgive me. No harm shall come to her through me." Of course I was sorry that I had allowed myself to become angry, and at once made my apology as well as I could. "Let us go to see Betty, anyway," said Frances. And I assenting, she went to fetch her cloak, hat, and vizard. But when she returned, I had changed my mind and declined to go, telling Frances that I must see Bettina no more. "Why?" asked Frances. "Because I would not win a love from her which I cannot accept."