. So much
official corruption existed, especially in the matter of supplies
of food and other necessaries, that the unhappy people were forced
to pay double and treble value for almost everything, and were
being slowly bled to death, that a few functionaries like Bigot and
Cadet might fatten and grow enormously rich. They had begun to know
that the English colonies were very differently governed; that they
grew in strength and independence, and were encouraged, and not
thwarted and hindered, in their internal development. Although much
smaller in extent than Canada, their population was double that of
the French colony. It was indeed the growing strength and
prosperity of the English provinces which had excited the jealous
animosity of the French, and had quickened their resolve to pen
them in between mountain and sea, and hinder their development. And
this resolve had been followed by the commencement of that border
warfare to which this was the sequel.

England knew better than let herself be penned within narrow
limits. She had broken through the bonds which held her back. Now
she was mistress of the key and capital of Canada. It could only be
a matter of time before the whole colony fell to her.

"It may be better for them in the end," said Madame Drucour,
heaving a long sigh as she watched the departure of the garrison,
and saw the scarlet uniforms of the English flooding the streets of
Quebec, "And yet it is hard to see it. I knew it must come, but my
heart is heavy within me. If only we had made a more gallant fight,
I should have felt it less."

"There he is! there he is!" shouted Colin suddenly; "there is Fritz
Neville!"

"Ah," cried Madame Drucour, with a quick look of pleasure, "and
there is Monsieur Julian Dautray too! Get speech with them if you
can, Colin, and bring them to supper at our house. There is much I
should like to ask them; and if some of the officers are to be
billeted amongst us townsfolk, I would gladly have those two to
care for."

"I'll go and see about it," cried Colin.

"Take us with you," cried the midshipmen, who had viewed the
procession with swelling hearts, uttering now and then a British
cheer, which mingled oddly with the sighs of the people. However,
since they had cheered the retiring troops as lustily as their own
countrymen, no one took this amiss. Indeed the young middies had
made themselves popular in the town by this time, and had done
something to promote a feelin