He cleared new paths about the lodge, moved in much of the wood where it would be more convenient for Suzanne, cleaned and polished the guns and revolvers in the little armory, inspected the limousine and put it in perfect order, and did everything else that he could think of to make their mountain castle luxurious and defensible.
Julie often joined him in these tasks, and John did not remonstrate, knowing that work and occupation kept a mind healthy.

Wrapped in her great red cloak and wearing the smallest pair of high boots that he could find in the lodge, she often shoveled snow with him, as he increased the number of runways to the small outlying buildings, or to other parts of their domain.

Thus they filled up the hours and prevented the suspense which otherwise would have been acute, despite their comfortable house.
She continually revealed herself to him now.

The shell that encloses a young French girl had been broken by the hammer of war and she had stepped forth, a woman with a thinking and reasoning mind of uncommon power.

It seemed often to John that the soul of the great Lannes had descended upon this slender maid who was of his own blood.