this distracted
realm. Their own colonies, if report speaks truth, are far more
flourishing and strong than any France has ever planted. You have
the knack of it, you Britons. Sometimes I doubt whether we shall
ever learn it."

"Don't say 'we,'" cried Arthur. "You are more than half an
Englishman already, and we will teach you to be one of us before we
have done. You neither look nor speak nor act like a Frenchie. Of
course here in Quebec, amongst your own acquaintances and friends,
you will feel to belong in some sort to them; but once we get you
into English ranks, you will soon forget that you ever were
anything but an Englishman at heart."

Colin was almost ready to believe this himself, though he scarcely
liked to put it so broadly, lest it should seem like treachery to
his own family and friends. He was possessed of a very keen
admiration for British pluck and boldness and audacity. The things
he had heard and seen had fired his enthusiasm, and he was quite of
the opinion that were the free choice to be one day his, he would
choose to throw in his lot with the English invaders of Canadian
soil. To watch how this game of skill and address was to be played
out between the two powers was now his great aim and object, and he
was eager to be a spectator in the next scene of the drama.

His way was made quite easy; for the Abbe himself resolved to
accompany the expedition, and watch from a distance the effect of
the combined attack upon the English batteries. He would have been
better satisfied had Montcalm been consulted; but he was away at
Beauport, and if the citizens were to achieve anything, it would be
better for them to strike whilst the iron was hot. Another day and
the leaden storm might have opened upon the city, and the heart
might be taken out of them.

All was now hurry and confusion--too much confusion for the
approval of the Abbe, who, with the officer in command and the
regular troops, sought to allay it, and to infuse more of
discipline and organization into the arrangements.

Colin ran back to say farewell to Corinne and Madame Drucour; and
they bid him be careful of himself, and come back amongst the first
to bring them news. After promising this Colin departed, and the
night fell upon the town--a restless night for those within its
walls; for there was scarce a house but had contributed its one or
more members for the expedition, and all knew that the salvation of
their homes depended upon th