d beside the glowing fire
regarding their entrance with looks of unaffected interest.

"My dear," said Mrs. Wolfe, "let me present to you my son James, of
whom you know much, although you have never met; and his friend and
companion, Lieutenant Julian Dautray, whose name is equally known
to you.

"This, James, is Miss Kate Lowther, the daughter of an old friend
of ours, who has left her in my charge whilst he takes a last
voyage to Barbados, where once he was Governor, to be my daughter
and companion till he comes back to claim her."

The bright-eyed girl dropped a courtesy to the gentlemen, who bowed
low before her; but then holding out her hand frankly to Wolfe, she
said in a clear, fresh voice.

"I am so glad to see you, Cousin James. I am going to call you that
because I call your mother Aunt, and she has given me leave to do
so. I know so much about you from your letters. I have copied every
one of them to send to your father, for Aunt will not part with the
originals even for him! I know all about Louisbourg, and the
batteries, and the ships, and the big guns. Oh, I think if I were a
man I could become an officer at once, and command a great campaign
like that one! We had such rejoicings here when the news came! it
was like new life to us. We had heard of that dreadful defeat at
Ticonderoga, and it seemed as though England was never to rise from
the dust of humiliation. It was openly said that Louisbourg would
never fall; that it was as impregnable as Quebec. Oh, there was
such lugubrious talk! And then came the news of the victory, and of
Brigadier Wolfe's valiant and doughty deeds. You may guess how your
mother's eyes shone at that! And all England echoed to the sound of
your name!"

"A name more formidable in sound than in reality," spoke Wolfe,
laughing, but cheered and pleased by the sincere and pretty
enthusiasm of the winning girl. "When those who have kindly admired
me from the distance come to inspect me in person, what a shock
they will receive! We shall have to palm Julian here off as the
right man; he will play the part with much more dignity and grace."

Kate looked from one to the other laughing.

"What do you expect me to say to that? Lieutenant Dautray looks
every inch a soldier; but I think, Cousin James, that you have the
air of the man born to command."

"In spite of my cropped red head and lanky limbs? I am proud of the
compliment paid me."

Wolfe was certainly rather taken aback t