"So Dr. Archie Cameron thought, but they hanged him like a dog not so many years ago, and I do not know that he was deeper in the affair than I. That I am not a very ardent rebel, I will confess; but I have grown too old in rebellion to shift my character readily. Besides, I fancy I am more of a Frenchman than an Englishman, or even a Scotchman; and the worst of such a transmogrification is, that one grows used to it, and change becomes wellnigh impossible. But you have chosen wisely, my boy. I wouldn't have you different for the world!" "It is not for myself I speak. I am thinking of you, sir." "God bless you, Kit! I would rather have those words from you than a free pardon. And now good-night, or rather, good-day. You have your duties before you, and I must get some sleep;" and I embraced the generous boy with a full heart. The next afternoon I set out to look over the town and mark the effect of the English fire during the bombardment, and could not but admire how destructive it had been, nor withhold my approval of the efforts the garrison had put forth during the past winter to repair the results of their own handiwork. As I wandered round the Cape I caught sight of le pere Jean leaning against the parapet of la batterie du Clerge, gloomily surveying the dismal prospect of a river full of drifting ice and a desolate and half-frozen country beyond. He turned as I approached, and greeted me with a return of the manner that was once habitual with him. "I was glad to hear you found friends last night, Chevalier." "Thank you, yes. I found friends both new and old," I answered, glancing at him curiously. But he had turned towards the river again, and waved his hand outward. "This is all emblematic of our fortress, I fear --dissolution," he said, wearily. "One might descant on the promise of spring and the renewal of hope, but in reality I gather as little from the prospect as you do," I returned. And side by side we leaned over the parapet, and continued to indulge our cheerless speculations in silence. "Chevalier," said the priest, suddenly, but in his usual tone, and without changing his position, "perhaps I owe you a more formal apology than was possible last night; but when I found that Mademoiselle Nairn--" "Mme. de St. Just," I corrected. "It is scarce worth while to keep up that fiction between us," he said, as if waiving the most ordinary form in the world, and in some manner I checked the cry of astonishment that was on my lips, and remained silent while he continued. "When I found Mademoiselle Nairn in your company, I too hastily assumed that it was by design on your part." I was so bewildered by this unconscious revelation that I could make no reply; but, fortunately, he did not mark my agitation, and went on as though speaking to himself: "Right or wrong, I have been the means of keeping her from you thus far; and if I have sinned in so doing, I must bear the consequence."