eur, interrupting this debate on the
population; "Providence knows the worth of Canadian women, and cannot
give us too many of them. We are in a hurry to get to the city, Jean, so
let us embark. My aunt and Amelie are in the old home in the city; they
will be glad to see you and Babet," added he, kindly, as he got into the
boat.

Babet dropped her neatest courtesy, and Jean, all alive to his duty,
pushed off his boat, bearing the two gentlemen and their horses across
the broad St. Charles to the King's Quay, where they remounted, and
riding past the huge palace of the Intendant, dashed up the steep Cote
au Chien and through the city gate, disappearing from the eyes of Babet,
who looked very admiringly after them. Her thoughts were especially
commendatory of the handsome officer in full uniform who had been so
polite and generous in the morning.

"I was afraid, Jean, you were going to blurt out about Mademoiselle des
Meloises," remarked Babet to Jean on his return; "men are so indiscreet
always!"

"Leaky boats! leaky boats! Babet! no rowing them with a woman aboard!
sure to run on the bank. But what about Mademoiselle des Meloises?"
Honest Jean had passed her over the ferry an hour ago, and been sorely
tempted to inform Le Gardeur of the interesting fact.

"What about Mademoiselle des Meloises?" Babet spoke rather sharply.
"Why, all Quebec knows that the Seigneur de Repentigny is mad in love
with her."

"And why should he not be mad in love with her if he likes?" replied
Jean; "she is a morsel fit for a king, and if Le Gardeur should lose
both his heart and his wits on her account, it is only what half the
gallants of Quebec have done."

"Oh, Jean, Jean! it is plain to see you have an eye in your head as well
as a soft place!" ejaculated Babet, recommencing her knitting with fresh
vigor, and working off the electricity that was stirring in her.

"I had two eyes in my head when I chose you, Babet, and the soft place
was in my heart!" replied Jean, heartily. The compliment was taken with
a smile, as it deserved to be. "Look you, Babet, I would not give this
pinch of snuff," said Jean, raising his thumb and two fingers holding
a good dose of the pungent dust,--"I would not give this pinch of snuff
for any young fellow who could be indifferent to the charms of such a
pretty lass as Angelique des Meloises!"

"Well, I am glad you did not tell the Seigneur de Repentigny that she
had crossed the ferry and gone--not to