d the habits, but could never soil the heart
or lessen the love of Le Gardeur for Pierre Philibert, or his respect
for the Bourgeois, his father."

"It is a mystery, La Corne; I cannot fathom it. But there is one more
danger to guard against," said the Governor meditatively, "and we have
sorrow enough already among our friends."

"What is that, Count?" La Corne stood up erect as if in mental defiance
of a new danger.

"Pierre Philibert will return home to-night," replied the Governor;
"he carries the sharpest sword in New France. A duel between him and
Le Gardeur would crown the machinations of the secret plotters in
this murder. He will certainly avenge his father's death, even upon Le
Gardeur."

La Corne St. Luc started at this suggestion, but presently shook his
head. "My life upon it," said he, "Le Gardeur would stand up to receive
the sword of Pierre through his heart, but he would never fight him!
Besides, the unhappy boy is a prisoner."

"We will care well for him and keep him safe. He shall have absolute
justice, La Corne, but no favor."

An officer entered the room to report to the Governor that the troops
had reached their assigned posts, and that there was no symptom of
rioting among the people in any quarter of the city.

The Governor was greatly relieved by these tidings. "Now, La Corne,"
said he, "we have done what is needful for the public. I can spare you,
for I know where your heart yearns most to go, to offer the consolations
of a true friend."

"Alas, yes," replied La Corne sadly. "Men weep tears of water, but women
tears of blood! What is our hardest grief compared with the overwhelming
sorrow and desolation that will pass over my poor goddaughter, Amelie de
Repentigny, and the noble Lady de Tilly at this doleful news?"

"Go comfort them, La Corne, and the angel of consolation go with you!"
The Governor shook him by the hand and wished him Godspeed.

La Corne St. Luc instantly left the house. The crowd uncovered and made
way for him as they would have done for the Governor himself, as with
hasty strides he passed up the Rue du Fort and on towards the Cape,
where stood the mansion of the Lady de Tilly.

"Oh, Rigaud, what a day of sorrow this is!" exclaimed the Governor to
De Vaudreuil, on their return to the Castle of St. Louis. "What a bloody
and disgraceful event to record in the annals of New France!"

"I would give half I have in the world could it be forever blotted out,"
replied D