lost in this time," cried pale-faced women,
unable and unwilling to believe. "Where is the Governor? he will
come up with the reserves. Where is Bougainville? surely he will
fall upon the English rear! Have we not twice the force of the
English? We cannot be conquered in this time! it would be a shame
to France forever."

So cried the people--one calling one thing, and another another,
whilst every fresh scout brought in fresh tidings of disaster.
There could be no doubt about it. The French army had been routed
at the first onset. Where the fault lay none could tell, but they
were flying like chaff before the wind.

Corinne stood close beside her aunt, silent, with dilated eyes, her
heart beating almost to suffocation as she sought to hear what was
said, and to make out the truth of the thousand wild rumours flying
about.

Colin came dashing through the gate. His face was flushed; he had
lost his hat; he was too breathless to speak. But he saw Corinne's
signal, and came dashing up to them. He flung himself down upon the
ground, and struggled for breath.

"O Colin, what have you seen?"

In a few moments more he was able to speak.

"I have seen the battle!" he gasped; "I have seen it all. I could
not have believed it would have been fought so soon. I have seen
something that these people would rejoice to know, but I shall not
tell them. I have seen the fall of General Wolfe!"

Madame Drucour uttered a short exclamation of dismay.

"General Wolfe killed! Colin, art thou sure?"

"Not sure that he is dead, only that he fell, and was carried away
by his men. He was heading the charge, as a brave General should.
Oh, had you seen how that battle was directed, you could not but
have admired him, whether friend or foe! It teaches one what war
can be to see such generalship as that."

"He is a great man," said Madame Drucour softly; "I have always
maintained that. Pray Heaven his life be spared, for he will be a
merciful and gallant victor; and if he fall, we may not meet such
generous, chivalrous kindness from others."

"Here come the soldiers!" cried Corinne, who from a little vantage
ground could see over the battlements. "Ah, how they run! as though
the enemy were at their heels.

"Are you men? are you soldiers? For shame! for shame! To run like
sheep when none pursues! Now indeed will I call myself French no
longer; I will be a British subject like my mother. It is not
willingly that I desert a losing cause;