this lovely place would
exercise upon him an immediate effect for the better. Another purpose
which I had was an official one. I wished to see this place and this
people with reference to my own administration and designs for the
future. Unhappily, my hopes for my friend have proved unfounded, and
my only consolation is that, though I have been disappointed as a
private man in my affections, yet, as a public official, I have been
able, during my short stay here, to do good service to my country, in
a way which my country's enemies shall feel at a vital point before
another year has passed away."

To this Mimi had nothing to say, for it was all preliminary, and she
expected something more. She therefore waited in silence, though with
much trepidation, to see what it might be that this man had in view
with regard to her. Cazeneau then continued:--

"As I have now done all that I intended to do in this place, it is my
intention to set forth for Louisbourg by land. I have some faithful
Indians as guides, and the journey is not very fatiguing. In
Louisbourg you will be able to obtain every comfort, and there will
be friends and associates for you, your own social equals, who may
make your life pleasanter than it has been for a long time."

By this Cazeneau directly stated his intention of taking Mimi with
him to Louisbourg--a statement which did not surprise Mimi, for it
was what she had expected. Now, however, that he said this, and in
this way, without pretending to ask her consent, her trepidation
increased, and she thought with terror over that long and lonely
journey, which she would have to make with this man and a band of
savages. There was nothing else, however, to be done. She could
neither hope nor desire to remain in Grand Pre. Her position was a
painful one, and the only hope remaining was that of returning to
France. And to go to Louisbourg was the surest way of doing that. One
thing, however, she could not help asking, for this she felt to be a
matter of extreme importance.

"Is Pere Michel going?"

"He is," said Cazeneau. "He has asked permission to go with our
party, and I have granted it."

At this answer a great relief was felt by Mimi, and the future seemed
less dark.

"I have granted it," said Cazeneau, "because he seems a harmless man,
and may be useful in various ways to me, hereafter, in my plans. He
seems to know the people about here. I dare say he's been here
before.

"Your position at