"Jesu," said I to the sentinel, answering his demand for the countersign, and I spurred on my horse idly, though my heart was thumping hard, for there were several sturdy fellows lying beyond the dull handful of fire. Instantly the sentinel's hand came to my bridle-rein. "Halt!" roared he. Surely some good spirit was with me then to prompt me, for, with a careless laugh, as though I had not before finished the countersign, "Christ," I added--"Jesu Christ!" With an oath the soldier let go the bridle-rein, the other opened the gates, and I passed through. I heard the first fellow swearing roundly to the others that he would "send yon courier to fires of hell, if he played with him again so." The gates closed behind me, and I was in the town which had seen the worst days and best moments of my life. I rode along at a trot, and once again beyond the citadel was summoned by a sentinel. Safely passed on, I came down towards the Chateau St. Louis. I rode boldly up to the great entrance door, and handed the packet to the sentinel. "From whom?" he asked. "Look in the corner," said I. "And what business is't of yours?" "There is no word in the corner," answered he doggedly. "Is't from Monsieur le General at Cap Rouge?" "Bah! Did you think it was from an English wolf?" I asked. His dull face broke a little. "Is Jean Labrouk with Bougainville yet?" "He's done with Bougainville; he's dead," I answered. "Dead! dead!" said he, a sort of grin playing on his face. I made a shot at a venture. "But you're to pay his wife Babette the ten francs and the leg of mutton in twenty-four hours, or his ghost will follow you. Swallow that, pudding-head! And see you pay it, or every man in our company swears to break a score of shingles on your bare back." "I'll pay, I'll pay," he said, and he took to trembling. "Where shall I find Babette?" asked I. "I come from Isle aux Coudres; I know not this rambling town." "A little house hugging the cathedral rear," he explained. "Babette sweeps out the vestry, and fetches water for the priests." "Good," said I. "Take that to the Governor at once, and send the corporal of the guard to have this horse fed and cared for, and he's to carry back the Governor's messenger. I've further business for the General in the town. And tell your captain of the guard to send and pick up two dead men in the highway, just against the first Calvary beyond the town." He did my bidding, and I dismounted, and was about to get away, when I saw the Chevalier de la Darante and the Intendant appear at the door. They paused upon the steps. The Chevalier was speaking most earnestly: "To a nunnery--a piteous shame! it should not be, your Excellency." "To decline upon Monsieur Doltaire, then?" asked Bigot, with a sneer. "Your Excellency believes in no woman," responded the Chevalier stiffly. "Ah yes, in one!" was the cynical reply. "Is it possible? And she remains a friend of your Excellency?" came back in irony.