"I never have!" I said earnestly, then was obliged to join in her delighted laughter.
"I knew you had not, Euan. But had I asked that question of your friend, Mr. Boyd, and had he answered me as you did, I might have thought he lied."
"He is at our house every day, and every moment when he is not on duty," she remarked.
"What gallant man would not do the like, if privileged?" I said lightly.
"Lana talks with him too much. Angelina and I have kept our rooms, as I wrote you, truly dreading a stroke of the sun. But Lana! Lord! She was up and out and about with her lieutenant; and he had an Oneida to take them both boating--and then he had the canoe only, and paddled it himself.... They were gone too long to suit me," she added curtly.
"Every night. I wish I knew where they go in their canoe. But I can do nothing with Lana.... You, perhaps, might say a friendly word to Mr. Boyd--if you are on that footing with him--to consider Lana's reputation a little more, and his own amusement a little less."
I said slowly: "Whatever footing I am on with him, I will say that to him, if you wish."
She said impatiently: "There are far too many army duels now. It sickens me to hear of them. Besides, Lana did ever raise the devil beyond bounds with any man she could ensnare--and no harm done."
"No harm," I said. "Walter Butler had a hurt of her bright eyes, and sulked for months. And many another, Mrs. Bleecker. But somehow, Mr. Boyd--"
She nodded: "Yes--he's too much like her--but, being a man, scarcely as innocent of intention, I've said as much to her, and left her pouting--the silly little jade."
We said nothing more, having come in sight of the low house of logs where Lois dwelt.
"The poor child," said Mrs. Bleecker softly. "Lord! What a kennel for a human being!"
As we approached we saw Mrs. Rannock crossing the clearing in the distance, laden with wash from the fort; and I briefly acquainted my handsome companion with her tragic history. Then, coming to the door, I knocked. A lovely figure opened for us.
So astonished was I--it having somehow gone from my mind that Lois could be so changed, that for a moment I failed to recognise her in this flushed and radiant young creature advancing in willowy beauty from the threshold.