Now are you satisfied ?" I said "Yes" as cheerfully as I could, though I felt anything but cheerful, and we parted, for, of course, the Commandant Retief had much to occupy him.
Then I went and told Marie what I had promised.

Somewhat to my surprise she said that she thought I had acted wisely.
"If you stayed here," she added, "perhaps some new quarrel would arise between you and my father which might make bitterness afterwards.

Also, dear, it would be foolish for you to offend the Commandant Retief, who will be the great man in this country, and who is very fond of you.
After all, Allan, we shall only be separated for a little while, and when that is done we have the rest of our lives to spend together.

As for me, do not be afraid, for you know I will never marry anyone but you--no, not to save myself from death." So I left her somewhat comforted, knowing how sound was her judgment, and went off to make my preparations for the expedition to Sikonyela's country.
All this conversation with Retief I have set down in full, as nearly as I can remember it, because of its fateful consequences.

Ah! if I could have foreseen; if only I could have foreseen!.