e, capable, merciful, and modest--he
was a very delightful and charming companion in any social
gathering; and towards Corinne he showed himself especially tender,
telling her, with the tears standing in his eyes, how much she
reminded him of the little daughter he had left at home, Mirete;
whom he feared he should never see again.

"For my aide-de-camp, M. de Bougainville, lately returned from
France, has brought me sad news. One of my daughters has died--he
could not ascertain which; but I feel sure it is my little Mirete,
who was always delicate and fragile. I loved her very much; she was
such a clinging little thing, and had soft brown eyes like yours,
my dear. I did not think, when I left my wife and children in our
happy home at Candiac, that I should be detained here so long, or
that death would have visited my house ere I returned. We were so
happy in that far away home in France; my thoughts are ever turning
back thither. Pray Heaven I may soon bring this war to a successful
termination, and may then return to end my days in peace in that
fair spot, surrounded by those I love so well!"

This little speech touched Corinne's heart, and she lifted her face
and gave the bereaved father a kiss of sympathy, the tears hanging
upon her own long lashes. He squeezed her hand and returned the
salute with warmth. Yet the next minute he was the soldier and the
general all over, as he seated himself at table and proceeded to
discuss the situation of affairs with the Abbe and his hostess.

"My policy," he explained to them, "will be one of defence, not of
attack. What we must set ourselves to do is to prevent any landing
of English troops upon the north bank of this river anywhere near
the city. I had thought at first of making the Plains of Abraham,
behind the city, the basis of my encampment. But this, as you know,
has been given up, and the north bank of the river, through
Beauport and right away to the river and falls of the Montmorency,
has been selected.

"When you are sufficiently recovered, my friend, I should like to
take you to see our position. Our right rests upon the St. Charles,
our left upon the Montmorency. Quebec is thus secured from any
advance by land. Her own guns must protect her from any attempt by
sea. No vessel should or ought to pass the rock without being
instantly disabled, if not sunk. By disposing our forces in this
way, and remaining upon the defensive, we shall have our foes in a
vice, so