was this: The laws against the Huguenots were very
stringent, and were in force, as, indeed, they are yet. The Countess
de Montresor was a Huguenot, and nothing could make her swerve from
her faith. The first blow was levelled at her, for in this way they
knew that they could inflict a deeper wound upon her husband. She was
to be arrested, subjected to the mockery of French justice, and
condemned to the terrible punishment which the laws inflicted upon
heretics. Had Montresor remained at court, he could easily have
fought off this pair of conspirators; but, being away, he knew
nothing about it till all was ready; and then he had nothing to do
but to fly, in order to save his wife.

"Upon this, fresh charges were made against him, and lettres de
cachet were issued. These would have flung him into the Bastile, to
rot and die forgotten. But Montresor had effectually concealed
himself, together with his wife, and the emissaries of the government
were baffled. It was by that time too late for him to defend himself
in any way; and the end of it was, that he decided to fly from
France. He did so, and succeeded in reaching Quebec in safety. Here
he hoped to remain only for a time, and expected that before long a
change in the ministry might take place, by means of which he might
regain his rights.

"But Fleury was all-powerful with the king, and Cazeneau managed
somehow to get into Fleury's good graces, so that Montresor had no
chance. The Montresor estates, and all the possessions of his wife,
were confiscated, and Laborde and Cazeneau secured much of them. But
Montresor had other things to trouble him. His wife grew ill, and
died not long after his arrival, leaving an infant son. Montresor now
had nothing which seemed to him worth living for. He therefore left
his child to the care of the faithful Motier, and disappeared, as you
have told me, and has never been heard of since.

"Of course Laborde knew nothing of this, and I only add this to the
information which he gave, in order to make it as plain to you as it
is to me. Laborde asserted that after the first blow he recoiled,
conscience-stricken, and refused further to pursue your father,
though Cazeneau was intent upon his complete destruction; and perhaps
this is the reason why Montresor was not molested at Quebec. A better
reason, however, is to be found in the merciful nature of Fleury,
whom I believe at bottom to have been a good man.

"After this, years passed. To