And I had an appetite that almost justified her, for the night had been a wasteful one.
And while I ate, I told her briefly where I had been, and what had kept me so long, and touched but lightly on the matter of Torode, for I saw that was not what she would care to hear.
"And Carette ?" I asked.

"I know she is well, for Aunt Jeanne told me so;" and she looked up quickly, and I hastened to add,--"We had to pass Beaumanoir, and I left Helier Le Marchant there.

I only stopped long enough to ask if you were all right--and Carette." If I had told her I had kissed Aunt Jeanne before herself, I really believe she would have felt hurt, though I had never thought of it so when I did it.
But her nature was too sweet, and her heart too full of gratitude, to allow long harbourage to any such thoughts.
"Carette," she said with a smile, "has been much with me.

But"-- and her face saddened--"you do not know what has befallen them." "Helier feared they were wiped out." "Almost.

Monsieur Le Marchant and Martin, the eldest boy, got home sorely wounded.