m a notice which was as much a promise of the future as an accent of the present. And yet, through all of it, he was ever better inspired by the grasp of a common soldier, who had ser

his classics, save for the sake of Hector and Achilles and their kind; and his knowledge of English, which his father had pressed him to learn,-for he

. And they told me everywhere that Frenchmen are bold, dark men, with great black eyes and very fine laces and wigs, and a trick of bowing and making foolish compliments; and they are not to be trusted, and they wi

in now," he

Frontenac would not send you, and-and-tel

peech, for in Quebec girls of her age were skilled in languages and arts, thanks to the great bishop, Laval, and to Marie of the Incarnation. In response to her a smile flickered upon his lips. He had a quick fierce temper, but it had never been severely tried; and so well used was he to looking cheer

ith a smile. "With a trick or two

he and the girl were looking. Presently he gave a little start and a low whistle, and his eyelids slightly dr

had only got one glance at his face, but the sinister profile could never be forgotten. At once the man passed out of view. The girl had not seen him, she had been watching her companion. Presently she said, he

ardon!" he retorted. "Now I shall look as blith

the ring in the voice, that rash enthusiasm of eager youth, and, taking a step towards Iberville, Count Frontenac's letter sti

n a traitor, and I was speakin

cillor Drayton followed with difficulty. Jessica looked a message to her comrade in ignorance. The o

Iberville," he said, "that I do not choose to find a sort of challenge in your words; and I doubt that your father, had he been here, would have spoke quite so roundly. But I am for peace and ha

's life. He sold a band of our traders to the Iroquois. He led your Hollanders stealthily to cut off the Indians of the west, who were coming with their year's furs to our merchants.

et forth this same charge,"-he tapped the paper,-"and we will not spoil good-fellowship by threshing it now." He laughed a little ironically. "And I promise you," he added, "that your Radisson shall neither drink wine nor eat bread with you at my table. And now, come, let us talk awhile together;

nith. Out in the yard a sumach bush was aflame. Rich tiger-lilies thrust in at the sill, and lazy flies and king bees boomed in and out of the window. Something out of the sunset, out of the glorious freshness and prim

severely on her. "To sit? Why, in your room, mistress. Tut, tut, you are too bold. If I did not know your father was comin

rville could well bear her scrutiny. He reached out to pinch her cheek, but she deftly tipped her head and caught his outstretched fingers. "But where am I to sit?" she persisted. "Anywhere, then, but at the council-table," was his response, as he wagged a finger at her and sat down. Going over she perched herself on a high stool in the window behind

-the past. Her eyes grew deep and melancholy. The sunset seemed to brighten around her all at once, and enmesh her in a golden web, burnishing her hair, and it fell across her brow with a peculiar radiance, leaving the temples in shadow, softening and yet lighting the carmine of her cheeks and lips, giving a feeling of life to her dress, which itself was like dusty gold. Her hands were caught and clasped at her knees. There was something spiritual and exalte

d at Colonel Nicholls and the councillor. Both were bent over the map, talking in eager tones. He came softly round the table, and was about to speak over her shoulder, when she drew herself up with a little shiver and seemed to come back from afar. Her hands went up to her eyes. Then she heard him. She turned quickly, with the pageant of her d

Frontenac that you forbid Radisson your purlieus? For, believe me, sir, there is no greater

room thoughtfully. "He is proc

ke a wolf where'er I saw him; and so I would now were I not C

how might you shoot him now? Is he without there?" At this he came to whe

o smug," said Iberville. "What think you sir?" turning to

merchant. "What's his business here, and why comes he with the othe

ful when we did not know what sudden game was playing from Chateau St. Louis; for, as you can g

at's unusual," he said. Then, looking round: "Where is our other councillor? Gone?" he laughed. "Faith, I did not see her go. And now we can swear that where th

e gave his order to the man. "And look you, my good Morris," he added,

s some days, monsieur. We shall have sports and junketings a

Radisson proclaimed. Count Frontenac would gladly cut months from his calen

e frank, I will say your gift is more that of the soldier than the envoy.

, and then rested savagely on Iberville. He scented trouble, and traced it to its source. Iberville drew back to the wind

"that this man has been used by my peop

"I understand, your excellency," he s

is the old saying of the woods, 'It is mad

ith excellent coolness, "if the wol

and garden, so that he could have reproduced all as it was mirrored in his eye. Presently he found himself again associating Radisson's comrade with the vague terror in Jessica's face. At last he saw the fellow come forth between two soldiers, and the woodsman turned his head from side to side, showing his teeth like a wild beast at sight of Iberville. His b

utlaw. In our native country you were a traitor; in this, you are the traitor still. I am not sorry fo

r," said the woodsm

ille to himself-"as fine