"Who can tell," he said to himself, "what role this splendid creature is destined to act in the drama that is opening out before us? I know she is a rebel at heart. That proud white neck will never submit to the yoke of English tyranny. She is born for freedom. There is no chain that can bind those beautiful limbs. I will have an eye over her. I will be her protector. Her friendship--is it only friendship?--with the young Bastonnais is another link that attaches her to me. I will follow her fortunes." Zulma finished her letter with a flourish, folded it, addressed it, and, rising, handed it to Batoche. "I did not keep you waiting, you see. Deliver this at your earliest opportunity and accept my thanks. Is there anything that I can do for you in return?" Batoche drooped his eyes and hesitated. "Do not fear to speak. We are perfect friends now." "There is something I would like to ask, mademoiselle, but should never have dared if you had not suggested it." "What is it, Batoche?" "I have a granddaughter, little Blanche." "Yes." "She has been my inseparable companion from her infancy." "Yes." "Now that the war has broken out, she is much alone, and that troubles me." "Where is she?" "In our cabin at Montmorenci. Pauline Belmont desired to keep her in Quebec during the siege, but to this I would not consent, because I could not see her as often as I wished." "Let me have the child, Batoche. I will replace her godmother as well as I can." "I thank you from the bottom of my heart, mademoiselle, but that is not precisely what I meant. I could not part from her for good, neither would she leave me. All I ask is this. I may be absent from my hut for days at a time. You know what military service is." "Military service?" "Yes, mademoiselle, I am a soldier once more." "You mean...?" "I am enrolled among the Bastonnais." "Bravo!" exclaimed Zulma. "Whenever you have to absent yourself from home fetch Blanche to me." How little either Zulma or Batoche suspected what strange events would result from this incident. VI. THE BALL AT THE CASTLE.