"I have a couple of hours before me--a thing I may not have every day--and a ramble will do both of us good," he said. Pauline was soon ready with the cordial consent of her father. After wandering through the streets for some time, and stopping to speak to friends whom they met, the two wended their way towards Cape Diamond. On the top of that portion of the citadel they were quite alone, and they could commune together without interruption. They both appeared to be pleased with this, each probably feeling that they had something to say to the other, or rather that they might touch upon topics, untouched before, which might lead to better mutual understanding. Roderick was a trifle graver and more reserved than his companion. Pauline made nothing of that, attributing it to his military anxieties, a supposition which his conversation at first seemed to justify. "This is an exposed point," said he, "which in a few days none of us will be able to occupy. When the whole rebel army moves up from Pointe-aux-Trembles, they can easily shell us out of this side of the citadel." "But it is a good point of observation, is it not?" asked Pauline. "Capital, though not so good as that one higher up which is well guarded and where double sentries will always be posted." As he spoke, Roderick caught view of moving figures on the highway near the Plains of Abraham. "Look Pauline," he said. "Do you know those fellows?" "I do not. Are they soldiers?" "They call themselves Virginia riflemen. They are the advance guard of the rebel army. They have been prowling around for the past two days." "Virginia riflemen, Roddy?" said Pauline looking up with an expression of languid inquiry in her dark eyes. "Yes. You ought to know something about them. Don't you remember the young officer who escorted you to the gates the day before yesterday?" "Oh," replied Pauline, with no attempt to conceal her surprise or interest, "you don't mean to say that he is down there among those poor unsheltered men?" "I do, certainly, and I am sure he enjoys it. I would in his place. He has plenty of room to rove about in. It is not like being cooped up, as we are, within these narrow walls." "Well, he is strong and hearty and can stand a little hardship. That's some comfort," said Pauline wagging her little head sympathetically. This evidently amused Roderick, who replied: "Yes, he is a stout, tough fellow." "And so brave," pursued Pauline with growing warmth while her eyes were fixed on the plain beyond. "Every soldier ought to be brave, Pauline. But I must allow that this man is particularly brave. He has proved it before our eyes." Pauline answered not, but her attention remained fixed on the distant sight before her. Roderick burst out into a hearty laugh and said: "Surely this is not all you have got to say about him. He is strong, he is brave, and--isn't he something else, eh, Pauline?"