touched
the schooner, and the same officer who had visited her before again
stepped on board.

"Is the Count de Laborde here?" he asked.

Claude pointed to where the old man was seated. The officer advanced,
and removed his hat with a bow to the old count, and another to the
beautiful Mimi.

"Monsieur le Comte," said he, "I have the honor to convoy to you the
compliments of Captain Ducrot, with the request that you would honor
him with your company on board the Aigle. His excellency the Comte de
Cazeneau, commandant of Louisbourg, has persuaded him to convey
himself, and you, and some others, to the nearest French fort. It is
the intention of Captain Ducrot to sail back up the Bay of Fundy, and
land you at Grand Pre, from which place you can reach Louisbourg by
land."

To this Laborde murmured a few indistinct words in reply, while Mimi
made no remark whatever. She was anxious to know what Claude was
intending to do. The officer now turned away to the others.

"My instructions," said he, "are, to convey the invitation of Captain
Ducrot to Monsieur l'Abbe Michel and Lieutenant d'Angers, whom he
will be happy to receive on board the Aigle, and convey them to Grand
Pre, or France. The two seamen of the Arethuse will also go on board
and report themselves."

The officer now went back to Laborde, and offered, to assist him. The
old man rose, and taking his arm, walked feebly towards the vessel's
side, whence he descended into the boat, and was assisted to the
stern by the seamen. The officer then assisted Mimi to a place by her
father's side, anticipating Claude, who stepped forward with the
offer of his assistance. Then followed Pere Michel, and Lieutenant
d'Angers, of the Arethuse; then Margot; and, finally, the two seamen.

Meanwhile nothing was said to Claude. He was not included in the
compliments of Captain Ducrot, nor was any notice taken of him in any
way. He could not help feeling slighted and irritated at the whole
proceeding. To himself and to Zac this whole party owed their lives,
and they were all leaving him now with no more regard for him than if
he were, a perfect stranger. But the fact was, the whole party took
it for granted that he and Zac would be invited on board, and that
they would see them both again, and supposed that they were coming in
the same boat. Mimi and Pere Michel both thought that Claude, at
least, was going with them; for he had told them both that he was
going to leave the sch