sting me, and venturing how far
he dared to go. Not for a moment did I dare to lower my guard in his
presence, and this constant strain of watchfulness left me nervous,
and bitter of speech.

In every respect I was a prisoner, and made to realize my helplessness.
I know not what Cassion suspected, what scraps of information he may
have gained from Chevet, but he watched me like a hawk. Never, I am
sure, was I free of surveillance--in the boat under his own eye; ashore
accompanied everywhere by Pere Allouez, except as I slept, and then
even some unknown sentry kept watch of the tent in which I rested.
However it was managed I know not, but my uncle never approached me
alone, and only twice did I gain glimpse of Sieur de Artigny--once, when
his canoe returned to warn us of dangerous water ahead, and once when
he awaited us beside the landing at Montreal. Yet even these occasions
yielded me new courage, for, as our eyes met I knew he was still my
friend, waiting, as I was, the opportunity for a better understanding.
This knowledge brought tears of gratitude to my eyes, and a thrill of
hope to my heart. I was no longer utterly alone.

We were three days at Montreal, the men busily engaged in adding to
their store of provisions. I had scarcely a glimpse of the town, as I
was given lodging in the convent close to the river bank, and the
_pere_ was my constant companion during hours of daylight. I doubt if
he enjoyed the task any more than I, but he proved faithful to his
master, and I could never venture to move without his black robe at my
side.

Nor did I seek to avoid him, for my mind grasped the fact already that
my only hope of final liberty lay in causing Cassion to believe I had
quietly yielded to fate. Surely as we plunged deeper into the
wilderness his suspicions would vanish, and his grim surveillance
relax. I must patiently abide my time. So I sat with the sisters
within the dull, gray walls, seemingly unconscious of the _pere's_
eyes stealthily watching my every motion, as he pretended other
employment.

Cassion came twice, more to assure himself that I was safely held than
for any other purpose, yet it pleased me to see his eyes follow my
movements, and to realize the man had deeper interest in me than
formerly. Chevet, no doubt, spent his time in the wine shops; at least
I never either saw, or heard of him. Indeed I asked nothing as to his
whereabouts, as I had decided already his assistance would be of no