"But, Princess,
deign to remember that we are still some miles from this headland, and
that Monsieur, your father, is yet farther away,--some fifteen miles, at
the very end of the bay which lies beyond."

She frowned and turned away. "Are we going as fast as possible?"

"I think so."

"Well, if you are not sure of it, Jacques, go down and tell that
engineer to enliven his exasperating machinery. Make everything turn
faster, or I shall jump into the sea and swim ahead. It is of a slowness
to rend the nerves."

Jacques Lafenestre moved away to carry out this order. From his youth up
he had served this lady and her parents. And when the father, for
excellent reasons, left France in haste and came into the wilderness,
the old servant followed. Later on he settled in Quebec as keeper of an
inn. And ever since that day he had maintained communication with his
master.

As the Princess walked impatiently up and down the deck, erect and with
elastic tread, often looking at her watch and frowning, she gave the
impression of a commanding little person, much accustomed to having her
own way--and with no talent for resignation. And when, a few moments
later, another individual appeared upon the deck, a tall, thin,
dark-robed ecclesiastic, evidently of high degree, with fine features
and a stately bearing, she hastened to express her annoyance. To his
polite greeting she replied rapidly:

"Good-morning, your Grace; but tell me, did you ever see anything like
this boat? Did you ever imagine a thing could crawl with such a
slowness--such a slowness? I shall die of it! I believe the screw is
working backwards."

The Archbishop smiled,--that is, his mouth lengthened, for mirth and he
were strangers,--"But it seems to me we move, Princess, and quite
rapidly."

"Rapidly! Well, never mind. Time and the wind will get us there. But why
are you up so early? This is an hour when gentlemen are abed."

"I could not sleep."

"Ah, the misfortune! For you may have a hard day. Remember, you are to
do your best, and use your strongest arguments. You will need them. My
father is wilful."

"Have no fears, Princess, I shall do all in my power, for the cause
seems righteous. The Duc de Fontrevault is, as you say, too old a man to
be left alone under such conditions."

"Surely! And you are the one of all others to convince him. He will not
listen to the rest of us. And don't fail to impress upon him his duty to
his family. That is your str