nch by inch they grew, until the vessel swam clear of the
point. A frigate! A man-of-war! And, at the sight, the crowd,
French and English alike, set up a shout, though as yet neither
knew the message she would soon send flying from her halyards.

On she came, and, the first burst of excitement stilled, we hung
on her every movement in a silence that was almost painful. At
length a gasp ran through the crowd. Against her white sails a
black spot could be distinctly seen running swiftly up to the
masthead. No sooner did it touch it than it broke, and the white
field barred by the red cross of St. George streamed forth to our
waiting eyes.

A perfect scream of shouts and cheers answered the declaration.
Men swore and blasphemed in their joy, some shrieked and laughed
in hysterical excitement, while others broke down and wept like
children at the sight of their deliverance.

Before long the frigate's sides were swathed in smoke, and her guns
thundered their proud salute against the swarming cliff, while
frantic groups ran through the town shouting the news, until, from
the line of defences opposite the Heights, the artillery boomed
forth in one long, continuous roar its message of exultation and
defiance to the gallant Levis and his men, to whom it meant
irretrievable failure and despair.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and turned to meet the pale face of
Gaston.

"This is the end!" he said, with tears in his eyes.

CHAPTER XXIX

I PUT MY FORTUNE TO THE TOUCH

On that 9th of May which saw the _Lowestaffe_ anchor in Quebec to
practically settle the fortunes of France and England in the New
World, as I walked back along the rue St. Louis arm in arm with
Gaston, neither of us speaking a word, I determined that now the
time had come to put my fortune to the touch; and as soon as possible
I sent word to Margaret, praying I might be granted an interview,
and in a state of anxiety, not far removed from panic, I awaited
her answer.

She would see me at once, and I repaired to the parlour where to
me she entered, pale and dignified, the nobility of her soul shewing
forth in every movement of her body, and its beauty in every line
of her face.

"Margaret," I cried, "forgive me, if I have forced myself upon you,
but I have no courage to endure longer. You have heard that all
hope for the French arms is now virtually at an end, and I must
know what lies before me."

"That must rest with you," she answered, in the