The Lily and the Cross: A Tale of Acadia — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Lily and the Cross: A Tale of Acadia
John Stuart Mill · en
Day after day passed, and Zac spent most of the time in meditating
over his situation and keeping his eyes and ears on the alert. He
understood pretty well that to the villany of Cazeneau were due both
his own captivity and the more serious danger which threatened his
friend. It was from Margot that he had first heard of Cazeneau as an
enemy, and little more had he been able to find out beyond what she
had told him in the brief conversation already related. The illness
of Laborde had necessitated her attendance on her master and
mistress, and prevented any further confidences. Only a few
occasional greetings were possible after that. Then followed the
arrival of the Aigle, and the transfer of Margot, with the rest, to
the French frigate. Zac had consequently been left in the dark as to
the particular villany of Cazeneau towards Laborde and Mimi. But he
had seen enough and felt enough to be sure that his enmity, from
whatever cause it arose, was of no common kind, that Claude was in
great danger, and that he himself was involved in the same peril,
though to a less degree. This conviction served, therefore, to keep
his mind continually on the alert, so as to find out what was the
present situation of Claude, and also to devise and lay hold of some
plan of action for himself.
In his thoughts the good Père Michel was suggested as the only one
who could do anything for either of them. What his influence might
be, he could not guess; but he at least believed in his friendliness
and good faith, and he could not help feeling that the priest would
do all that was possible. It seemed to him not unlikely that the
priest might come out to see him, and convey to him some information
about the present state of affairs in Grand Pré. And besides this, he
could not help feeling a vague hope that, even if the priest were
unable to do anything, he might receive some sort of a message from
one whom he could not help as regarding in the light of a
friend--namely, the amiable Margot.