rafting the terms of
capitulation of the whole colony, ready to submit to the English
General!"

"So soon?"

"So they say. I know not if it be altogether true, but all is
confusion worse confounded yonder. The soldiers are pouring back to
their camp at Beauport in a perfect fever of panic. I heard that
Bigot would have tried to muster and lead them against the enemy
once more, and that the Governor gave his sanction, but that the
officers would not second the suggestion. I think all feel that
with only Vaudreuil to lead fighting is hopeless. He knows not his
own mind two minutes together; he agrees always with the last
speaker. He is always terrified in the moment of real crisis and
peril. His bluster and gasconade desert him, and leave him in
pitiful case."

"What, then, is to be done?"

"That I cannot tell. I have come with a message from the Governor
to the Marquis. He sent me to ascertain his condition, and if
possible to ask counsel of him. His word would still carry weight.
If he is sufficiently himself to listen for a few minutes to what I
have to say, I would then put the case and ask his opinion upon
it."

Madame Drucour drew the Abbe softly into the room where the dying
man lay. Montcalm's eyes opened as he heard them approach. At the
sight of the Abbe he seemed to try to rouse himself.

"You have brought news! Tell me, how goes it?"

The Abbe repeated in some detail the after events of the battle and
rout, Montcalm listening to every word with the keenest interest
and attention.

"Where is the Governor?" he asked at the conclusion of the
narrative.

"He was still at the hornwork when I left," answered the Abbe; "but
many were clamouring around him, declaring that the place would be
carried by assault almost immediately, and all of them cut to
pieces without quarter; and that they had better surrender the city
and colony at once than lose all their lives in an unavailing
struggle."

Montcalm's face, upon which death had already set its seal,
remained immovably calm and tranquil.

"What said the Governor?" he asked.

"He appeared to agree with this view of the case. He is much
alarmed and disturbed. He is preparing to return to his own
quarters upon the Beauport road, and will there hold a council as
to the next step to be taken. It was he who asked me to go back to
the city and see you, my General, and ask what advice you have for
us. We are in a sore strait, and there seems none to advise