ne.

Communication with the mother country was precarious and uncertain by
reason of the war and the blockade of the Gulf by the English cruisers.
Hence the good fortune and daring of the gallant Captain Martiniere in
running his frigate, the Fleur-de-Lis, through the fleet of the enemy,
enabling him among other things to replenish the wardrobes of the ladies
of Quebec with latest Parisian fashions, made him immensely popular
on this gala day. The kindness and affability of the ladies extended
without diminution of graciousness to the little midshipmen even, whom
the Captain conditioned to take with him wherever he and his officers
were invited. Captain Martiniere was happy to see the lads enjoy a
few cakes on shore after the hard biscuit they had so long nibbled on
shipboard. As for himself, there was no end to the gracious smiles and
thanks he received from the fair ladies at Belmont.

At the great door of the Manor House, welcoming his guests as they
arrived, stood the Bourgeois Philibert, dressed as a gentleman of the
period, in attire rich but not ostentatious. His suit of dark velvet
harmonized well with his noble manner and bearing. But no one for a
moment could overlook the man in contemplating his dress. The keen,
discriminating eye of woman, overlooking neither dress nor man, found
both worthy of warmest commendation, and many remarks passed between
the ladies on that day that a handsomer man and more ripe and perfect
gentleman than the Bourgeois Philibert had never been seen in New
France.

His grizzled hair grew thickly all over his head, the sign of a
tenacious constitution. It was powdered and tied behind with a broad
ribbon, for he hated perukes. His strong, shapely figure was handsomely
conspicuous as he stood, chapeau in hand, greeting his guests as they
approached. His eyes beamed with pleasure and hospitality, and his
usually grave, thoughtful lips were wreathed in smiles, the sweeter
because not habitually seen upon them.

The Bourgeois had this in common with all complete and earnest
characters, that the people believed in him because they saw that he
believed in himself. His friends loved and trusted him to the uttermost,
his enemies hated and feared him in equal measure; but no one, great or
small, could ignore him and not feel his presence as a solid piece of
manhood.

It is not intellect, nor activity, nor wealth, that obtains most power
over men; but force of character, self-control, a qu