the
protectiveness of the maternal. She carried with her a wholesome
fragrance and beauty as of an orchard, and while she sat there I thought
of the engaging words:

"Thou art to me like a basket of summer fruit, and I seek thee in thy
cottage by the vineyard, fenced about with good commendable trees."

Of my release she spoke thus: "Monsieur Doltaire is to be conveyed
overland to the coast en route for France, and he sent me by his valet a
small arrow studded with emeralds and pearls, and a skull all polished,
with a message that the arrow was for myself, and the skull for
another--remembrances of the past, and earnests of the future--truly an
insolent and wicked man. When he was gone I went to the Governor, and,
with great show of interest in many things pertaining to the government
(for he has ever been flattered by my attentions--me, poor little bee in
the buzzing hive!), came to the question of the English prisoner. I
told him it was I that prevented the disgrace to his good government by
sending to General Montcalm to ask for your protection.

"He was deeply impressed, and he opened out his vain heart in divers
ways. But I may not tell you of these--only what concerns yourself; the
rest belongs to his honour. When he was in his most pliable mood, I grew
deeply serious, and told him there was a danger which perhaps he did not
see. Here was this English prisoner, who, they said abroad in the town,
was dying. There was no doubt that the King would approve the sentence
of death, and if it were duly and with some display enforced, it would
but add to the Governor's reputation in France. But should the prisoner
die in captivity, or should he go an invalid to the scaffold, there
would only be pity excited in the world for him. For his own honour,
it were better the Governor should hang a robust prisoner, who in full
blood should expiate his sins upon the scaffold. The advice went down
like wine; and when he knew not what to do, I urged your being brought
here, put under guard, and fed and nourished for your end. And so it
was.

"The Governor's counsellor in the matter will remain a secret, for
by now he will be sure that he himself had the sparkling inspiration.
There, dear Robert, is the present climax to many months of suspense and
persecution, the like of which I hope I may never see again. Some time
I will tell you all: those meetings with Monsieur Doltaire, his designs
and approaches, his pleadings and veiled th