Still there was a method in love's madness, and
Beverley, with his superb physique, his knowledge of the
wilderness and his indomitable self-reliance, was by no means
without his fighting chance for success.
CHAPTER XII
MANON LESCAUT. AND A RAPIER-THRUST
Beverley's absence was not noticed by Hamilton until late on the
following day, and even then he scouted Helm's suggestion that the
young man was possibly carrying out his threat to disregard his
parole.
"He would be quite justified in doing it; you know that very
well," said Helm with a laugh, "and he's just the man to undertake
what is impossible. Of course, however, he'll get scalped for his
trouble, and that will cost you something, I'm happy to say."
"It's a matter of small importance," Hamilton replied; "but I'll
wager you the next toddy that he's not at the present moment a
half-mile from this spot. He may be a fool, I readily grant that
he is, but even a fool is not going to set out alone in this kind
of weather to go to where your rebel friends are probably toasting
their shins by a fire of green logs and half starving over yonder
on the Mississippi."
"Joking aside, you are doubtless right. Beverley is hot-headed,
and if he could he'd get even with you devilish quick; but he
hasn't left Vincennes, I think. Miss Roussillon would keep him
here if the place were on fire!"
Hamilton laughed dryly.
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