fect that he--the
Count de Florian--was hereby reinstated in his office as commandant
of Louisbourg, and conveyed to him the flattering intelligence that
his former administration was favorably regarded by the government,
who would reward him with some higher command. With this despatch
there came also to Florian, as commandant, a warrant to arrest
Cazeneau, the late commandant, on certain charges of fraud,
peculation, and malversation in office, under the late ministry. De
Brisset also had orders to bring Cazeneau back to France in the
Vengeur. These documents were shown to the officers, who were very
earnest in their congratulations to Florian.

There were also despatches to the Count de Montresor, the contents of
which were known to De Brisset, who also knew that he was now
laboring in the colonies as the missionary priest Pere Michel.
Florian at once took these to the prison where he was confined,
acquainted him with the change that had taken place, and set both him
and Claude free with his own hands. Then he presented the despatches.

Pere Michel, as we may still call him, tore open the despatch with a
trembling hand, and there read that, at last, after so many years,
the wrong done him had been remedied, as far as possible; that all
his dignities were restored, together with his estates. These last
had passed to other hands, but the strong arm of the government was
even now being put forth to reclaim them, so that they might be
rendered back to the deeply injured man to whom they rightly
belonged.

"There, my boy," said Pere Michel, as he showed it to his son, "all
is right at last; and now you can wear your name and dignity in the
face of the world, and not be ashamed."

"O, my father!" said Claude, in a voice which was broken with
emotion, "Heaven knows I never was ashamed. I believed your
innocence, and wept over your wrongs. I am glad now, not for myself,
but for you."

"Where is the Countess de Montresor?" said Pere Michel. "She should
not be kept in restraint any longer."

Cazeneau all this time sat in his apartment, awaiting the arrival of
the captain of the Vengeur and the despatches. The captain at length
appeared; but with him were others, the sight of whom awakened
strange sensations in his breast. For there was Florian, and with him
was Pere Michel; Claude was there also, and beyond he saw some
soldiers. The sight was to him most appalling, and something in the
face and bearing of De Brisset a