He feared he might suddenly repent of his action, and going to the door, he held it open for them to pass. Gering picked up the sword, found the belt and sheath, and stepped to the doorway with his wife. Here he paused as if he would speak to Iberville: he was ready now for final peace. But Iberville's eyes looked resolutely away, and Gering sighed and passed into the hallway. Now the wife stood beside Iberville. She looked at him steadily, but at first he would not meet her eye. Presently, however, he did so. "Good-bye," she said brokenly, "I shall always remember--always." His reply was bitter. "Good-bye, madame: I shall forget." She made a sad little gesture and passed on, but presently turned, as if she could not bear that kind of parting, and stretched out her hands to him. "Monsieur--Pierre!" she cried, in a weak, choking voice. With hot frank impulse he caught both her hands in his and kissed them. "I shall--remember," he said, with great gentleness. Then they passed from the hallway, and he was alone. He stood looking at the closed door, but after a moment went to the table, sat down, and threw his head forward in his arms. An hour afterwards, when Count Frontenac entered upon him, he was still in the same position. Frontenac touched him on the arm, and he rose. The governor did not speak, but caught him by the shoulders with both hands, and held him so for a moment, looking kindly at him. Iberville picked up his sword from the table and said calmly: "Once, sir, you made it a choice between the woman and the sword." Then he raised the sword and solemnly pressed his lips against the hilt-cross.