Yet is there any cause for quarrel because this young gentleman has preserved my life ?" De Croix hesitated, standing half-poised for attack, even his glib tongue and ready wit failing as she thus calmly questioned him.
Indeed, as I later learned, there was that of witchery about this young girl which held him at bay more effectually than if she had been a princess of the royal blood,--a something that laughed his studied art to scorn.

She noted now his hesitancy, and smiled slightly at the evidence of her power.
"Well, Monsieur, 'tis not often that your lips fail of words," she continued, archly.

"Why is it I am made the subject of your quarrel ?" The slight sarcastic sting in her voice aroused him.
"By all the saints, Toinette!" he exclaimed, striving to appear at his ease, "this seems a poor greeting for one who has followed you through leagues of forest and across oceans of sand, hopeful at the least to gain a smile of welcome from your lips.

Know you not I am here, at the very end of the world, for you ?" "I think it not altogether unlikely," she replied with calmness.

"You have ever been of a nature to do strange things, yet it has always been of your own sweet will.