"This does account for much of the misunderstanding that finally led to their deportation. They trusted too implicitly in the French King, and for a long time vainly hoped that he would conquer the English and make them again his subjects." Hardly had Amy finished when a boyish voice was heard crying, "Good-morning, good-morning. Is it really true that you're starting North to-day?" "No, not to-day; we have still a day or two left before we set out for Grand Pré; we are going over to see your mother this afternoon." "I'm glad of that," responded Balfour, "for I'm to have a day off, or rather an afternoon, and I wanted to be sure of your plans." Balfour did not explain that he had asked for this special holiday in order to have some time with his new friends. "You won't spend the whole afternoon with my mother," he began awkwardly,--"at least, not all of you,--and so I thought that perhaps some of you would go for a drive with me." "I am going to stay with Eunice," said Priscilla; "it will be our last day together." Martine said nothing. Then Balfour turned to Amy: "Would not you and Miss Martine drive with me? I can take you to one or two out-of-the-way places that you probably haven't visited." "Surely," responded Amy, "that will be delightful. I can go, and with pleasure. As for Martine, she must speak for herself." Amy had no doubt as to Martine's desire, so that it was hardly necessary for her to await a reply. "Why, of course," replied Martine; "there's nothing I'd like so well." CHAPTER XIV AN EXCURSION Balfour, when the three started on their afternoon expedition, was in a particularly happy frame of mind. "There's one advantage in working all summer--a half holiday seems ten times more valuable now than usually. Not that I'm working hard this summer, only my days are not my own, and I can seldom make plans; besides, I do begrudge the time that I have to take from study." "Then you will probably think to-day wasted." "No, indeed; besides, we are going to study nature, and--" "A little French history," interposed Martine. "Did you not say that you would take us to an old battleground?" "Yes, I hope to, for my steed is not like Jill. We can depend on getting somewhere with Lion, whereas Jill--" "Mr. Frazer would say that she went fast enough the day he rode her in my company." "It's a great thing for a horse to know when to stop, as well as when to go on. Whoa, Lion! There, we can leave him standing while we go up that little hill. It's said to be the site of an ancient French church. It may interest you." Amy and Martine loudly praised the beauty of the scenery as they stood on the elevated land above the narrow, winding river.