nd conducts you safely on your journey.

"And now, madame, it is very probable that you are but ill supplied
with money, if indeed you have any. Pardon my frankness, but I am
old enough to be your father, and I know the awkwardness of such
a position. If I be correct, I am sure you will not deny me the
pleasure of helping you."

"Monsieur, your kindness needs no excuse; but, with a thousand
thanks, let me assure you I am well, even abundantly supplied, as
I had nearly all my money sewn in my clothes before leaving, and
I do not foresee any want of that kind, even though my stay be
longer than now appears probable. But I shall be most grateful for
your letter to Mme. de Sarennes, and it shall be my endeavour not
to prove a burthen on her hospitality."

"M. de Bougainville," he said, beckoning to one of his officers,
"will you come and tell Mme. de St. Just something of this charming
country, while I write some letters?" So saying, he introduced his
aide to me, and stepped into the cabin, leaving me to the amusing
society of his officers. The moments passed quickly until the
Marquis reappeared bearing two letters.

"Do not disappear, gentlemen, unless it be to seek a glass of wine
in which to wish madame 'bon voyage.'

"This, madame," he said, handing me one of the letters, "is to Mme.
de Sarennes; but with it I have taken care to enclose that of le
pere Jean, for our good Canadians, as you will find, attach more
value to the simple word of a priest--and in this instance I will
not say they are wrong--than to the command of any lay authority.
His letter will spare you all explanations with the mother, and
this other will serve as an order for that gallant coureur de bois,
her son, when he puts in an appearance, in the event of his visiting
Beaulieu before I see him in Quebec. Let me assure you, further,
that you have only to command my services, should you need them,
either before or after you may reach Louisbourg. The Chevalier de
Drucour, I am persuaded, will be only too ready to do me a service,
should I ask it either on my behalf or on that of another. I shall
esteem it, if you will consider yourself as under my protection."

"But, monsieur, what claim have I to all this kindness?" I asked,
overwhelmed at the possibilities I saw before me.

"You are the friend of my friend; I would do anything for his sake,"
he answered, simply, disdaining any of those compliments which
would so readily suggest themselves to