Today we belong to each
other; tomorrow we sing of peace on earth, goodwill toward men. Let
that suffice us; let us forget the rest. We will be happy together
in our love, and in love to all mankind. After that we must think
again of these things. Afterwards thoughts of war and strife must
have their place; but for once let love be lord of our lives. After
that storm and strife--and Quebec!"

Book 5: Within Quebec.

Chapter 1: The Impregnable City.

Within a lofty chamber, with narrow windows and walls of massive
thickness, stood a young, bright-haired girl, looking with dreamy
eyes across the wide waters of the great St. Lawrence, as it rolled
its majestic course some hundreds of feet below. Although that
mighty waterway narrowed as it passed the rocky promontory upon
which the city of Quebec was built, it was even there a wonderful
river; and looking westward, as the girl was doing, it seemed to
spread out before her eyes like a veritable sea. It was dotted with
ships of various dimensions bringing in supplies, or news of coming
help or peril--news of that great armament from distant England,
perhaps, whose approach was being awaited by all within the city
with a sense of intense expectancy, not entirely unmixed with fear.

True, the soldiers laughed to scorn the idea of any attack upon
Quebec. It stood upon its rocky tongue of land, frowning and
unassailable, as it seemed to them. All along the north bank of the
lower river the French were throwing up earthworks and intrenching
their army, to hinder any attempt at landing troops there; and the
guns of the town batteries would soon sink and destroy any vessel
rash enough to try to pass the town, and gain a footing upon the
shores above. Indeed, so frowning and precipitous were these that
nature herself seemed to be sufficient guard.

"Let the English come, and see what welcome we have got for them!"
was a favourite exclamation from soldiers and townsfolk; yet all
the same there was anxiety in the faces of those who watched daily
for the first approach of the English sails. Had not Louisbourg
said the same, and yet had fallen before English hardihood and
resolution? Those in the highest places in this Canadian capital
best knew the rotten condition into which her affairs had fallen.
The corruption amongst officials, the jealousy between Governor and
General, the crafty self seeking of the Intendant--these and a
hundred other things were enough to cause mu