nters. She had
worked side by side with Madame Drucour amid the sick and wounded,
and had seen sights of horror and suffering which had branded
themselves deeply into her soul.

She could never again be the careless, laughing Corinne of old; and
yet the soldier spirit in her burned stronger and ever more strong.
If war was a fearful and terrible thing, it had its glorious side
too. She heard, with a strange thrill of mingled pain and pride, of
the gallant doings of the English troops. She regarded the cautious
policy of the French with something like contempt. She and Colin
would sometimes steal down to the margin of the water, and look at
the English vessels which had braved the guns of the town, and were
riding safely at anchor in the upper basin; and would feel a thrill
of admiration at the dauntless bravery of the British sailors and
soldiers. After all, if Quebec were to fall to such gallant foes,
would she suffer much after the first shock was over?

They had lost their three merry midshipmen. When General Wolfe had
sent over several boatloads of prisoners taken in the unguarded
villages of the upper river, it had been agreed that any English
prisoners in the town should be given in exchange; and the lads,
cheering lustily the while, had been rowed away by the returning
boats.

Colin and Corinne had missed their companionship, but had been
assured of a meeting before so very long. They knew what that had
meant, yet they could not resent the suggestion. Constant
companionship with the English middies had intensified their
interest in the English cause. They did not speak of it much except
to one another, but in secret they had no fear of the unknown foe.
They felt a certain exultation and triumph in the stories they were
always hearing of English prowess and valour.

And now it was known to all that the crucial moment had come. The
English had made a great coup. They had landed; they had stormed
the heights; they were said to be intrenching themselves and
bringing up their guns; and although this was not true at the
moment, the very thought struck terror into the hearts of the
citizens and soldiers.

Unless they could be dislodged from their present commanding
position, the town was lost. That was the word in the mouths of
all. A mounted messenger, followed by others, had been sent flying
to Montcalm and Vaudreuil. It was certain that the General would be
quickly on the spot, and surely he and his army toge