t they mean? They mean that the men, the whole garrison on
which the English depend, is mad with drink and defeat--and Levis
scarce a mile away with his victorious army! Just one word to him,
Marguerite, and we are saved; he will be in the town before the
morning."

"Yes, but how can it be sent? What can I do?"

"Carry it to him!"

"Angelique, are you mad? How could I carry it?"

"There is your answer," she cried, pointing to Archie's uniform.
"You will put these things on, and you can pass the gate without
a question. Come, undress at once."

"Oh, Angelique, I cannot! Let me go as I am and I will not hesitate,
but--"

"For shame, Marguerite!" cried the high-spirited girl. "For shame!
to think of yourself and such school-girl prudery at such a time!
But forgive me, cherie; I did not quite mean that. I know what you
feel. But do you think I would hesitate had I your height and could
I speak English? No, a thousand times no! Marguerite, it must be
done! You are the only woman--the only person, man or woman--in
Quebec who can do it."

"Angelique," I cried, in an agony of distress, "think of my own
people here; it would be almost like betraying them."

"Well, think of them, but think of them as soldiers of King George
against whom you were praying night and day, not so many years ago,
as you have said yourself."

"But there is my brother!"

"He is safe in bed down-stairs; and when he is a prisoner, Marguerite,
I give you my word of honour I will go to M. de Levis and claim
him for myself, like a squaw;" and she laughed merrily.

"How can you laugh, Angelique? Don't you see what it means to me?"

"Don't you see what it means to us, Marguerite? You know how we
have hoped and suffered. You have lived among us and shared everything
we had to give, joy and sorrow alike. Do you owe nothing to us?
You were defended by him who lies in his grave below when a jealous
woman would have branded you as a spy. Do you owe nothing to the
Marquis de Montcalm? Do you owe nothing to those others who stood
between you and her malice?"

"Angelique, do you think you need remind me of these things?"

"Forgive me, cherie, if I am ungracious enough to urge the claim
of benefits bestowed. This is no time for pretty speeches. I would
urge anything to decide you."

"It is not that. If I could go as I am, and simply risk capture,
or even death, I would not hesitate."

"You cannot go as you are! A woman could not even pass through t