"Mademoiselle de Sarennes, will you and your companion support this lad into the Hospital? He is not seriously wounded, only weak from the loss of blood," and as though counting on our help without question, he let the boy slip tenderly to the ground, and I was forced to step forward with Angelique to his support. Bending down from his horse, he held the boy as he directed us how to aid him, and then whispered encouragingly: "Keep up, my lad; you are among friends! Make your best effort before these ladies!" [Illustration: "Keep up, my lad; you are among friends!"] He certainly had no suspicion of who I was, for when he was satisfied that we were equal to our task he turned his horse, and crying, "A thousand thanks, mesdames. Good-night!" he rode slowly back through the gates. The lad was in Highland uniform, and I spake to him in Gaelic, thinking to enhearten him, but he made no reply as he staggered forward between us towards the door. Once within, we summoned aid, and, as the lad sank into a chair, the light fell full on his upturned face, and I saw it was that of Christopher Routh. Hugh had gone far to redeem himself in my eyes. CHAPTER XXIII THE HEIGHTS OF QUEBEC Christopher was at once examined by M. Arnoux, the surgeon, who obligingly came at Angelique's request, and before long he met us to report that his patient was in no danger; his wound was dressed, and a night's sleep would go far to put him on his feet again. He could be seen without even fatigue on the morrow. I left word with the sister in charge that she should tell him I was in the convent, and would come to him about eleven. I had no hesitation in telling Lucy the news; indeed, the suspense of every day that passed was wearing her frail body away so rapidly that, had not God seen fit to send His answer to her prayer at this very time, she would have passed beyond its comfort. As it was, the news acted on her like some generous wine, strengthening without exciting her, her only request being that Christopher should not be brought to her until he was quite able for the exertion. When I entered Christopher's room he was already sitting up in bed, his eyes fairly dancing with delight. "Oh, Madame de St. Just! Think of my being brought here, to find you and my mother under the same roof, and that it was Captain Maxwell who brought me! He saved me when I was down with an Indian over me, and did not get me off without standing some hard knocks himself. He carried me into the French lines, and as soon as the affair was over, rode with me before him all this distance, keeping my heart up the time by saying, 'Kit, my boy, I am taking you to your mother,' and I so near swooning with this stupid arm I could scarce hear him. You know I was with him in Louisbourg, and when I was a child in London he lodged with us, as he was in hiding on account of the Scotch rising and calling himself Captain Geraldine. But tell me of my mother, madame. Can I not see her now?"