human
That will be at La Galette, said the Commandant, answering the question in Dominique's eyes.
gpt
Come up to your quarters, my children, and get some sleep. We have work before us. He motioned the others to fall back out of hearing while he and Dominique mounted the slope together.
human
You had audience, then, of the Governor?
gpt
He declined to see us, Monseigneur, and I do not blame him, since he could not send us back telling you to fight. Doubtless it does not become one in M. de Vaudreuil's position to advise the other thing-- aloud.
human
I do not understand you. Why could not M. de Vaudreuil order me to fight?
gpt
Why, Monseigneur,--seeing that he sends no troops, it would be a queer message. He could not have the face.
human
Yet he must be intending to strike at the English coming from Quebec?
gpt
They are already arrived and encamped at Isle Sainte-Therese below the city, and another army has come down the Richelieu from the south and joined them.
human
It is clear as daylight. M. de Vaudreuil must be meaning to attack them instantly, and therefore he cannot spare a detachment--You follow me?
gpt
It may be so, Monseigneur,
human
It is I, Monseigneur, who am puzzled. You cannot be intending--
gpt
Eh? Speak it out, man!
human
You cannot be intending to await these English!
gpt
Name of thunder! What else do you suppose? Pray, my dear Dominique, use your wits. We have to gain time, I tell you--time for our friends below at Montreal.
human
With twenty odd men against as many hundreds? Oh, pardon me, Monseigneur, but I cannot bring my mind to understand you.
gpt
But since it gains time--
human
They will not stay to snap up such a mouthful. They will sail past your guns, laughing; unless--great God, Monseigneur! If in truth you intend this folly, where is Mademoiselle Diane? I did not see her in any of the boats from La Galette. Whither have you sent her, and in whose charge?
gpt
She is yonder on the wall, looking down on us. She will stay; I have given her my promise.
human
Monseigneur!
gpt
What is the matter with the man?
human
She must go! She _shall_ go! It is a wickedness you are doing--do you hear me, Monseigneur?--a wickedness, a wickedness! But you shall not keep her here; I will not allow it!
gpt
Are you stark mad, Dominique Guyon?
human
I will not allow it. I love her, I tell you--there, I have said it! Listen again, Monseigneur, if you do not understand: I love her, I love her--oh, get that into your head! I love her, and will not allow it!
gpt
Certainly your brain is turned. Go to your quarters, sir; it must be sleep you want. Yes, yes, my poor fellow, you are pale as a corpse! Go, get some sleep, and when you wake we will forget all this.
human
Before God, Monseigneur, I am telling you the truth. I need no sleep but the sleep of death, and that is like to come soon enough. But since we were children I have loved your daughter, and in the strength of that love I forbid you to kill her.
gpt
Follow me, if you please.