Laborde."

"She was married two nights since. All present may take warning by
what I have announced. I will say no more."

The words of Florian had made a profound impression. It was no light
thing for a colonial court martial to deal with a peer of France.
Besides, Florian himself would soon be at court, and could tell his
own story. Cazeneau saw that a limit would be placed to his power if
he did not manage carefully. He decided to act less harshly, and with
more cunning. He therefore assumed a milder tone, assured the court
that Florian was mistaken, disclaimed any personal feeling, and
finally invited Florian to sit among the judges. Upon this Florian
took his seat. The prisoner was now brought forward, and the
witnesses prepared.

The charges were then read. These were to the effect that he had been
captured while coming to Louisbourg under a suspicious character,
calling himself Motier, but pretending to be the son of the outlawed
De Montresor; that afterwards he had escaped from confinement, and
followed Cazeneau, upon whom he had made a murderous attack.

Claude was then questioned. He told his story fully and frankly as
has already been stated. After a severe questioning, he was allowed
to sit down, and Pere Michel was then summoned.

Pere Michel was first asked what he knew about the prisoner. The
priest answered, simply,--

"Everything."

"What do you mean? Go on and tell what you know about him."

Pere Michel hesitated for a moment, and then, looking at Claude, with
a face expressive of the deepest emotion, he said in a low
voice,--

"He is my son."

At this declaration amazement filled all present. Claude was affected
most of all. He started to his feet, and stood gazing at Pere Michel
with wonder and incredulity.

[Illustration: Claude In His Father's Arms.]

"I don't understand," said Cazeneau; "at any rate, this shows that he
is a low-born adventurer."

At this Pere Michel turned to Cazeneau, and said,--

"He is my son, yet neither low-born nor an adventurer. Do you not
know--you--who I am? Often have we seen one another face to face
within the last few weeks; and yet you have not recognized me! What!
have I so changed that not a trace of my former self is visible? Yet
what I was once you see now in my son, whom you best know to be what
he claims. Yes, gentlemen, I am Eugene, Count de Montresor, and this
is my son Claude.--Come, Claude," he continued, "come, my son, to him
who ha