o unshapely. When I was
brought to him, he was standing on a knoll alone, looking through a
glass towards the batteries of Levis. The first thing that struck me, as
he lowered the glass and leaned against a gun, was the melancholy in the
lines of his figure. I never forget that, for it seemed to me even then
that, whatever glory there was for British arms ahead, there was tragedy
for him. Yet, as he turned at the sound of our footsteps, I almost
laughed; for his straight red hair, his face defying all regularity,
with the nose thrust out like a wedge and the chin falling back from
an affectionate sort of mouth, his tall straggling frame and far from
athletic shoulders, challenged contrast with the compact, handsome,
graciously shaped Montcalm. In Montcalm was all manner of things to
charm--all save that which presently filled me with awe, and showed me
wherein this sallow-featured, pain-racked Briton was greater than his
rival beyond measure: in that searching, burning eye, which carried all
the distinction and greatness denied him elsewhere. There resolution,
courage, endurance, deep design, clear vision, dogged will, and heroism,
lived: a bright furnace of daring resolves and hopes, which gave England
her sound desire.

An officer of his staff presented me. He looked at me with piercing
intelligence, and then, presently, his long hand made a swift motion of
knowledge and greeting, and he said:

"Yes, yes, and you are welcome, Captain Moray. I have heard of you, of
much to your credit. You were for years in durance there."

He pointed towards the town, where we could see the dome of the
cathedral shine, and the leaping smoke and flame of the roaring
batteries.

"Six years, your Excellency," said I.

"Papers of yours fell into General Braddock's hands, and they tried you
for a spy--a curious case--a curious case! Wherein were they wrong and
you justified, and why was all exchange refused?"

I told him the main, the bare facts, and how, to force certain papers
from me, I had been hounded to the edge of the grave. He nodded,
and seemed lost in study of the mud-flats at the Beauport shore, and
presently took to beating his foot upon the ground. After a minute,
as if he had come back from a distance, he said: "Yes, yes, broken
articles. Few women have a sense of national honour, such as La
Pompadour none! An interesting matter."

Then, after a moment: "You shall talk with our chief engineer; you know
the town you s