igot. As we entered he inquired of the servant where
Bigot was, and was told he was gone to the Chateau St. Louis. Doltaire
shrugged a shoulder and smiled--he knew that Bigot had had news of his
deposition through the Governor. He gave orders for rooms to be prepared
for the Seigneur and for the Sisters; mademoiselle meanwhile to be taken
to hers, which had, it appeared, been made ready. Then I heard him
ask in an undertone if the bishop had come, and he was answered that
Monseigneur was at Charlesbourg, and could not be expected till the
morning. I was in a most dangerous position, for, though I had escaped
notice, any moment might betray me; Doltaire himself might see through
my disguise.

We all accompanied Alixe to the door of her apartments, and there
Doltaire with courtesy took leave of her, saying that he would return in
a little time to see if she was comfortable, and to bring her any fresh
news of her father. The Sisters were given apartments next her own, and
they entered her room with her, at her own request.

When the door closed, Doltaire turned to Gabord, and said, "You shall
come with me to bear letters to General Montcalm, and you shall send one
of these fellows also for me to General Bougainville at Cap Rouge." Then
he spoke directly to me, and said, "You shall guard this passage till
morning. No one but myself may pass into this room or out of it, save
the Sisters of Mercy, on pain of death."

I saluted, but spoke no word.

"You understand me?" he repeated.

"Absolutely, monsieur," I answered in a rough peasantlike voice.

He turned and walked in a leisurely way through the passage, and
disappeared, telling Gabord to join him in a moment. As he left, Gabord
said to me in a low voice, "Get back to General Wolfe, or wife and life
will both be lost."

I caught his hand and pressed it, and a minute afterwards I was alone
before Alixe's door.

An hour later, knowing Alixe to be alone, I tapped on her door and
entered. As I did so she rose from a priedieu where she had been
kneeling. Two candles were burning on the mantel, but the room was much
in shadow.

"What is't you wish?" she asked, approaching.

I had off my hat; I looked her direct in the eyes and put my fingers on
my lips. She stared painfully for a moment.

"Alixe," said I.

She gave a gasp, and stood transfixed, as though she had seen a ghost,
and then in an instant she was in my arms, sobs shaking her. "Oh,
Robert! oh my dear, dea