ull at him.

"Surely you have not changed. You want to go; your heart is set
upon it!"

"Yes," he answered gravely: "my wish and purpose have never
wavered; but now my heart is divided. Once it beat only for my
country, and the clash of arms was music in my ears; now it has
found a rival elsewhere. If I go to Quebec, I must leave you
behind, my Kate!"

Suddenly into her bright eyes there sprang the smart of tears. She
clasped the hands that held hers and pressed them closely.

"It will not be for long," she said; "you will return covered with
glory and renown!"

"It may be so, it may be so; yet who can tell? Think how many
gallant soldiers have been left behind upon that great continent:
Braddock, Howe--oh, I could name many others less known to fame,
perhaps, but gallant soldiers all. We go out with our lives in our
hand, and so many never return!"

The tears began to fall slowly in sparkling drops. She could not
release her hands to wipe them away.

"Do not speak so, James; it is not like you! Why do you try to
break my heart?"

"Would you care so much, so much, were I to find a soldier's
grave?"

A quick sob was her reply. She turned her head away.

"Kate, do you love me?"

"I think you know that I do, James."

"I have begun to hope, and yet I have scarcely dared. You so full
of life and strength and beauty, and I such a broken crock!"

"A hero, you mean!" she answered, with flashing eyes--"a soldier
and a hero; tenfold more a hero in that you overcome pain and
weakness, sickness and suffering, in the discharge of your duty,
and do things that others would declare impossible! Oh yes, I have
heard of you; Lieutenant Dautray has told me. I know how you have
done the impossible again and yet again. James, you will do this
once again. You will storm that great fortress which men call
impregnable--you will storm it and you will vanquish it; and you
will come home crowned with glory and honour! And I shall be here
waiting for you; I shall watch and wait till you come. It is
written in the book of fate that your name is to go down to
posterity as the hero of Quebec. I am sure of it--oh, I am sure! Do
not say anything to damp my hope, for I will not believe you!"

He looked into her face, and his own kindled strangely. "I will say
nothing but that I love you--I love you--I love you! Today that is
enough between us, Kate. Let the rest go--the honour and glory of
the world, the commission, and all besides.