I'll tell you after I have told the governor," he answered, pleased and
amused.

"Oh, I shall hear when the governor hears," she answered, with a soft
quaintness, and then vanished into the governor's chamber. She had
scarce entered when the door opened again, and the servant, a Scotsman,
came out to say that his excellency would receive him. He went briskly
forward, but presently paused. A sudden sense of shyness possessed him.
It was not the first time he had been ushered into vice-regal presence,
but his was an odd position. He was in a strange land, charged with an
embassy which accident had thrust upon him. Then, too, the presence
of the girl had withdrawn him for an instant from the imminence of his
duty. His youth came out of him, and in the pause one could fairly see
him turn into man.

He had not the dark complexion of so many of his race, but was rather
Saxon in face, with rich curling brown hair. Even in that brave time one
might safely have bespoken for him a large career. And even while the
Scotsman in the doorway eyed him with distant deprecation, as he eyed
all Frenchmen, good and bad, ugly or handsome, he put off his hesitation
and entered the governor's chamber. Colonel Nicholls came forward to
greet him, and then suddenly stopped, astonished. Then he wheeled upon
the girl. "Jessica, you madcap!" he said in a low voice.

She was leaning against a tall chair, both hands grasping the back of
it, her chin just level with the top. She had told the governor that
Count Frontenac had sent him a lame old man, and that, enemy or none,
he ought not to be kept waiting, with arm in sling and bandaged head.
Seated at the table near her was a grave member of the governor's
council, William Drayton by name. He lifted a reproving finger at her
now, but with a smile on his kindly face, and "Fie, fie, young lady!" he
said, in a whisper.

Presently the governor mastered his surprise, and seeing that the young
man was of birth and quality, extended his hand cordially enough, and
said: "I am glad to greet you, sir;" and motioned him to a seat. "But,
pray, sit down," he added, "and let us hear the message Count Frontenac
has sent. Meanwhile we would be favoured with your name and rank."

The young man thrust a hand into his doublet and drew forth a packet
of papers. As he handed it over, he said in English--for till then the
governor had spoken French, having once served with the army of France,
and lived at the French