, unless you can show me you have good right to
be there. You are not a Frenchwoman."

"No, I am not, but I carry important information for your General."

"Pardon me, madam, but the General is fully occupied," I said, in
my most repelling manner.

"Sir, I have come thus far at great risk to myself, and my news is
of the utmost importance. Let me go on alone, if you will not take
me in yourself."

"Madam, I have not the honour to be known to you, but, believe me,
my advice is of the best when I tell you that your way is open to
the town again. Take it, madam, and think nothing more of this
escapade, but that you were fortunate to have fallen in with one
who could advise so soundly."

"This is no escapade, sir; it has been a matter of life or death
to me, and it is almost as much to your General," she said, with
such earnestness that I could not doubt her intentions.

"Then, madam, if you are determined, I will take you. You cannot
possibly go on alone; there are too many Indians engaged in their
usual pastime of looking after white scalps. But first I must seek
for help for a wounded officer, and then must complete my work.
Follow me closely, but give me your word you will not attempt any
tricks," I said; for I have never been prepossessed in favour of
adventurous damsels, and I misdoubted the value of her alleged
information.

"That will not answer. I must go on at once! I cannot wait."

"It seems to me you are hardly in a position to choose, madam," I
replied, amused at her decision.

She hesitated a moment, and then said, desperately:

"Do you know who I am, Hugh Maxwell? I am Margaret Nairn!"

Had the solid ground opened beneath my feet I could not have been
more confounded.

"Margaret!" I cried, when I could find my voice. "Margaret--here?
I cannot understand. Speak to me again!"

"Yes, Hugh, I am Margaret--Margaret Nairn. I am Mme. de St. Just."

"You have been here all along and never let me know? I cannot
understand."

"Do not try to understand now. Hugh! I beseech you to take me on
trust and help me to go on."

But as she spake I caught sight of a moving light.

"Do not speak another word. Some one is coming. Crouch down here
until I see who it is."

Advancing cautiously, I discovered the light came from a lanthorn,
by the aid of which a priest was examining the bodies, hoping, no
doubt, to discover some unfortunate who needed his ministrations.
He would serve me for Sarennes.

"Mon p