military duties with an iron rigor and punctuality that
made men admire, while they feared him. His life was more mechanical
than human. Le Gardeur spared neither himself nor others. He never
married, and never again looked with kindly eye upon a woman. His
heart was proof against every female blandishment. He ended his life in
solitary state and greatness, as Governor of Mahe in India, many years
after he had left his native Canada.

One day, in the year of grace 1777, another council of war was sitting
in the great chamber of the Castle of St. Louis, under a wonderful
change of circumstances. An English governor, Sir Guy Carleton, presided
over a mixed assemblage of English and Canadian officers. The royal arms
and colors of England had replaced the emblems and ensigns of France
upon the walls of the council-chamber, and the red uniform of her army
was loyally worn by the old, but still indomitable, La Corne St. Luc,
who, with the De Salaberrys, the De Beaujeus, Duchesnays, De Gaspes, and
others of noblest name and lineage in New France, had come forward as
loyal subjects of England's Crown to defend Canada against the armies of
the English Colonies, now in rebellion against the King.

"Read that, La Corne," said Sir Guy Carleton, handing him a newspaper
just received from England. "An old friend of yours, if I mistake not,
is dead. I met him once in India. A stern, saturnine man he was, but a
brave and able commander; I am sorry to hear of his death, but I do not
wonder at it. He was the most melancholy man I ever saw."

La Corne took the paper and gave a start of intense emotion as he read
an obituary notice as follows:

"East Indies. Death of the Marquis de Repentigny. The Marquis Le Gardeur
de Repentigny, general of the army and Governor of Mahe, died last year
in that part of India, which he had, by his valor and skill, preserved
to France. This officer had served in Canada with the reputation of an
able and gallant soldier."

La Corne was deeply agitated; his lips quivered, and tears gathered
in the thick gray eyelashes that formed so prominent a feature of his
rugged but kindly face. He concluded his reading in silence, and handed
the paper to De Beaujeu, with the single remark, "Le Gardeur is dead!
Poor fellow! He was more sinned against than sinning! God pardon him for
all the evil he meant not to do! Is it not strange that she who was the
cursed cause of his ruin still flourishes like the Queen of the K