he found himself in
comfortable quarters in the house of the naval storekeeper, who
received him with the utmost cordiality as the friend of the
commandant.

The next day Claude saw Pere Michel. He seemed troubled in mind, and,
after some questions, informed him that he had come all the way to
Louisbourg for the express purpose of getting some letters which he
had been expecting from France. They should have been here by this
time, but had not come, and he was afraid that they had been sent out
in the Arethuse. If so, there might be endless trouble and confusion,
since it would take too long altogether to write again and receive
answers. It was a business of infinite importance to himself and to
others; and Pere Michel, who had never before, since Claude had known
him, lost his serenity, now appeared quite broken down by
disappointment.

His present purpose was to go back and see about the burial of
Cazeneau; but he would wait for another week, partly for the sake of
rest, and partly to wait until Cazeneau's Indians had been heard
from. He had sent out two of the Indians who had come with him to
make inquiries; and when they returned, he would go. He was also
waiting in the hope that another ship might arrive. There was some
talk of a frigate which was to bring out some sappers and engineers
for the works. It was the Grand Monarque. She had not come as yet,
nor had she left by last advices; but still she was liable to leave
at any moment.

"Still," said the priest, "it is useless to expect anything or to
hope for anything. The king is weak. He is nothing. How many years
has he been a _roi faineant_? Fleury was a fit minister for such a
king. Weak, bigoted, conceited, Fleury had only one policy, and that
was, to keep things quiet, and not suffer any change. If wrongs had
been done, he refused to right them. Fleury has been a curse to
France. But since his death his successors may be even worse. The
state of France is hopeless. The country is overwhelmed with debt,
and is in the hands of unprincipled vagabonds. The king has said that
he would govern without ministers; but that only means that he will
allow himself to be swayed by favorites. Fleury has gone, and in his
place there comes--who? Why, the Duchesse de Chateauroux. She is now
the minister of France."

The priest spoke with indescribable bitterness; so much so, indeed,
that Claude was amazed.

"The latest news," continued Pere Michel, "is, that England is