id presently. "Dunno but mebbe I better put
it 'n my wallet. 'Fraid I 'll lose it off o' there."

He threw at me a glance of inquiry.

"No," said I, "do not bury your honors in a wallet."

He bowed stiffly, and, as he looked down at the medal, went away,
spurs clattering.

Therese came in presently, her face full of vivacity and color.

"M'sieur le Capitaine," said she, "we are going for a little ride,
the marquis and I. Will you come with us? You shall have the best
horse in the stable."

"And you my best thanks for the honor," I said.

Our horses came up presently, and we all made off at a quick
gallop. The forest avenues were now aglow and filled with hazy
sunlight as with a flood, through which yellow leaves were slowly
sinking. Our horses went to their fetlocks in a golden drift. The
marquis rode on at a rapid pace, but soon Therese pulled rein, I
keeping abreast of her.

In a moment our horses were walking quietly.

"You have news for me, ma'm'selle?" I remarked.

"Indeed, I have much news," said she, as always, in French. "I was
afraid you were not coming in time, m'sieur."

She took a dainty letter from her bosom, passing it to me.

My old passion flashed up as I took the perfumed sheets. I felt my
heart quicken, my face burn with it. I was to have good news at
last of those I loved better than my life, those I had not
forgotten a moment in all the peril of war.

I saw the handwriting of Louison and then a vision of her--the
large eyes, the supple, splendid figure, the queenly bearing. It
read;--

"MY DEAR THERESE: At last they promise to return us to you on the
12th of October. You are to send two men for us--not more--to the
head of Eagle Island, off Ste. Roche, in the St. Lawrence, with
canoes, at ten o'clock in the evening of that day. They will find
a lantern hanging on a tree at the place we are to meet them. We
may be delayed a little, but they are to wait for us there. And,
as you love me, see that one is my brave captain--I do not care
about the other who comes. First of all I wish to see my emperor,
my love, the tall, handsome, and gallant youngster who has won me.
What a finish for this odd romance if he only comes! And then I do
wish to see you, the count, and the others. I read your note with
such a pleasure! You are sure that he loves me? And that he does
not know that I love him? I do not wish him to know, to suspect,
until he has asked me to be his queen-