human
It was a bold thought of these men, or a foolhardy, to strike across the Wilderness,
gpt
There are many ways through those woods, Dominique answered.
human
Between here and Fort Niagara you may hear tell of a dozen perhaps; and the Iroquois have their own.
gpt
Let us hope that none of theirs crosses the one you and Bateese taught to Monsieur Armand. The Seigneur will be uneasy about his son when he hears what 'Polyte and Damase report; and Monsieur Etienne and Mademoiselle Diane will be uneasy also.
human
But this Ojibway saw nothing of M. Armand or his party.
gpt
No news is good news. As you owe the Seigneur your duty, take your guests up to Fort Amitie to-morrow and let them be interrogated.
human
My Father, must I go? There was anguish in Dominique's voice.
gpt
Surely Jo Lagasse or Pierre Courteau will do as well?--and there is much work at Boisveyrac which cannot be neglected.
human
But that is not your true reason?
gpt
Father, he entreated in a choking voice,
human
It will not serve you to run from yours. You must do battle with it. Bethink you that, as through the Wilderness, there are more ways than one in love, and the best is that of self-denial. Mademoiselle Diane is not for you, Dominique, her father's _censitaire_: yet you may love her your life through, and do her lifelong service. To-morrow, by taking these men to Fort Amitie, you may ease her heart of its fears: and will you fail in so simple a devoir? There is too much of self in your passion, Dominique--for I will not call it love. Love finds itself in giving: but passion is always a beggar.
gpt
My Father, you do not understand--
human
Who told you that I do not understand? the priest interrupted harshly.
gpt
I too have known passion, and learnt that it is full of self and comes of Satan. Nay, is that not evident to you, seeing what mischief it has already worked in your life? Think of Bateese.
human
Do I ever cease thinking of Bateese? Do I ever cease fighting with myself? Dominique's voice rose almost to a cry of pain. He stared across the water with gloomy eyes and added--it seemed quite inconsequently--
gpt
The Cascades is a bad fall, but I think it will be the Roches Fendues that gets me in the end.
human
Your blessing, Father. I will go.