Christopher cautiously opened the door and allowed me to peep in, and my heart was lightened at the sight of Archie sleeping quietly, his brown curls hidden beneath a mass of bandages, but his face composed and natural. "Thank you, Christopher," I said. "You are a brave lad." "There were lots more better than me," he said, modestly, "but we didn't have a chance, for all that." "Tell me something of what happened." "I don't know what happened after it began. I only saw the back of the man in front of me, and was too busy with my piece to think of anything else, until I saw my Captain in trouble, and then my hands were full, for the rest of the day. After I hear some of the old powder-eaters talk, madam, I'll be able to make up a fine story for you," he said, with a bright laugh that to me sounded like an echo. I hastened to our room, and there found Angelique in a state of exultation. "Victory, Marguerite! As I told you! Our troops are on the Heights and hold the General Hospital, and the English are trapped in these crazy walls!" But in an instant she calmed herself and said, earnestly, "Now is the time for you to save us all!" "I save you all? What do you mean?" "Mean, Marguerite? Listen to those cries and the fighting. Do you know what they mean? They mean that the men, the whole garrison on which the English depend, is mad with drink and defeat--and Levis scarce a mile away with his victorious army! Just one word to him, Marguerite, and we are saved; he will be in the town before the morning." "Yes, but how can it be sent? What can I do?" "Carry it to him!" "Angelique, are you mad? How could I carry it?" "There is your answer," she cried, pointing to Archie's uniform. "You will put these things on, and you can pass the gate without a question. Come, undress at once." "Oh, Angelique, I cannot! Let me go as I am and I will not hesitate, but--" "For shame, Marguerite!" cried the high-spirited girl. "For shame! to think of yourself and such school-girl prudery at such a time! But forgive me, cherie; I did not quite mean that. I know what you feel. But do you think I would hesitate had I your height and could I speak English? No, a thousand times no! Marguerite, it must be done! You are the only woman--the only person, man or woman--in Quebec who can do it." "Angelique," I cried, in an agony of distress, "think of my own people here; it would be almost like betraying them." "Well, think of them, but think of them as soldiers of King George against whom you were praying night and day, not so many years ago, as you have said yourself." "But there is my brother!" "He is safe in bed down-stairs; and when he is a prisoner, Marguerite, I give you my word of honour I will go to M. de Levis and claim him for myself, like a squaw;" and she laughed merrily. "How can you laugh, Angelique? Don't you see what it means to me?"