blame for the offence laid to his charge. Whether the
killing of the Bourgeois was privately regarded at Court as good service
was never known. But Le Gardeur, true to his loyal instincts, obeyed the
King, rejoined the army, and once more took the field.
Upon the outbreak of the last French war in America, he returned to
New France, a changed and reformed man; an ascetic in his living, and,
although a soldier, a monk in the rigor of his penitential observances.
His professional skill and daring were conspicuous among the number of
gallant officers upon whom Montcalm chiefly relied to assist him in his
long and desperate struggle against the ever-increasing forces of the
English. From the capture of Chouaguen and the defence of the Fords of
Montmorency, to the last brave blow struck upon the plains of St. Foye,
Le Gardeur de Repentigny fulfilled every duty of a gallant and desperate
soldier. He carried his life in his hand, and valued it as cheaply as he
did the lives of his enemies.
He never spoke to Angelique again. Once he met her full in the face,
upon the perron of the Cathedral of St. Marie. She started as if touched
by fire,--trembled, blushed, hesitated, and extended her hand to him in
the old familiar way,--with that look of witchery in her eyes, and that
seductive smile upon her lips, which once sent the hot blood coursing
madly in his veins. But Le Gardeur's heart was petrified now. He cared
for no woman more,--or if he did, his thought dwelt with silent regret
upon that pale nun in the Convent of the Ursulines--once Heloise de
Lotbiniere--who he knew was wasting her young life in solitary prayers
for pardon for his great offence.
His anger rose fiercely at the sight of Angelique, and Le Gardeur forgot
for a moment that he was a gentleman, a man who had once loved this
woman. He struck her a blow, and passed on. It shattered her last
illusion. The proud, guilty woman still loved Le Gardeur, if she loved
any man. But she felt she had merited his scorn. She staggered, and sat
down on the steps of the Cathedral, weeping the bitterest tears her eyes
had ever wept in her life. She never saw Le Gardeur again.
After the conquest of New France, Le Gardeur retired with the shattered
remnant of the army of France, back to their native land. His sovereign
loaded him with honors which he cared not for. He had none to share them
with now! Lover, sister, friends, all were lost and gone! But he went on
performing his
|