thoughts and wonders resulted in nothing whatever, for it was
impossible to create any knowledge out of his own conjectures.

He was in the midst of such thoughts as these when his ears were
attracted by the sound of a familiar voice. He listened attentively.
It was the voice of Pere Michel. No sooner had Claude satisfied
himself that it was indeed the priest, than he felt sure that he had
come here to visit him; and a little longer waiting showed that this
was the case. There were advancing footsteps. Madame Comeau opened
the door, and Pere Michel entered the chamber. The door was then
shut, and the two were alone.

So overcome was Claude by joy that he flung himself into the priest's
arms and embraced him. The good priest seemed to reciprocate his
emotion, for there were tears in his eyes, and the first words that
he spoke were in tremulous tones.

"My son," the priest commenced, in gentle, paternal tones, and in a
voice that was tremulous with emotion, "you must calm yourself."
Then, suddenly speaking in English, he said, "It is necessaire dat we
sall spik Ingeles, for ze peuple of ze house may suspeck--"

Upon this Claude poured forth a torrent of questions in English,
asking about Laborde, Cazeneau, Zac, and Mimi. It will not be
necessary to report the words of the priest in his broken English,
but rather to set them down according to the sense of them. So the
priest said,--

"You speak too fast, my son. One thing at a time. The poor Laborde is
dead and buried. The Count Cazeneau is about to go to Louisbourg.
Mimi is going with him."

"Mimi going with him!" cried Claude, in deep agitation.

"Be calm, my son. Do not speak so loud. I have told the people of
this house that your life is in danger, and that I have come as a
priest, to hear your last confession. I do not wish them to suspect
my real errand. We may talk as we wish, only do not allow yourself to
be agitated."

"But tell me," said Claude, in a calmer voice, "how is it possible
that Mimi can trust herself with Cazeneau?"

"_Ma foi_," said the priest, "it is possible, for she cannot help it.
But do not fear. I am going to accompany them, and, as far as my
feeble power can do anything, I will watch over her, and see that she
suffers no injustice. I hope that Heaven will assist her innocence
and my protection; so do not allow yourself to be uneasy about her;
but hope for the best, and trust in Heaven."

At this Claude was silent for a few moments