d welcomed the plenty which
succeeded the semi-starvation of the winter; the towns-people, as
is always the case, were ready to accept any rule which would
guarantee to them security and peace, while the surrounding parishes
were gladdened by the return of their volunteers, seeing therein
a promise of the renewal of the quiet for which they longed. The
gates were thrown open, and once more the country-folk thronged
within the walls to offer their scanty provisions, and to bargain
with the "kilties" and "red-coats" with a confidence that spake
well for the humanising influences of war. General Murray received
M. Malartic, who had been left in charge of the wounded in the
General Hospital, and other of our officers at his table in friendly
hospitality, and ordinary life took up its interrupted course.

But with much rejoicing on the one hand came sadness on the other.
The news of the death of Sarennes was now received in due course
by his mother and sister, but was borne with surprising spirit,
especially by the former, who comforted herself with the thought
that the last of his house had found death in a profession which
his fathers had distinguished by their name, while his sister had
both youth and love to support her.

Kit was jubilant over his promotion as ensign, which had happened
even sooner than his captain had foretold; he was received by his
superiors and equals with flattering congratulations, and the men
looked without jealousy on his advancement. To me it was gratifying
to find he valued it not so much for the position, as for the
recognition of his proper standing as a gentleman's son.

Nairn was happy in his escape from the humiliation of being asked
in marriage, and impatiently counted the days of mourning until he
could make his demand on Mademoiselle de Sarennes "selon tous les
regles de la bienseance." That he was in love, even to the point
of blindness, was amply proved by his astonishment that there were
others in the like case as himself.

"Captain Nairn," I said to him, in Margaret's presence, the day
before his departure for Montreal with the troops, "as you are the
head of your family, I have the honour to demand of you the hand
of your sister in marriage."

"God bless my soul, Peggy!" he exclaimed, with the utmost honesty.
"I had never thought of you as marrying. I had planned that you
would always live with me."

"Suppose, Nairn, that Mme. de Sarennes had said the same of
Angelique?"