The Project Gutenberg eBook, Montlivet, by Alice Prescott Smith

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Title: Montlivet

Author: Alice Prescott Smith

Release Date: September 23, 2005 [eBook #16733]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MONTLIVET***

E-text prepared by Al Haines

MONTLIVET

by

ALICE PRESCOTT SMITH

New York
Grosset & Dunlap
Publishers
Houghton, Mifflin and Co.

1907

TO

M. C. H. AND A. E. H.

CONTENTS

I. THE KEY
II. THE CAPTIVE
III. BEHIND THE COMMANDANT'S DOOR
IV. IN THE OTTAWA CAMP
V. A DECISION
VI. DAME OPPORTUNITY
VII. THE BEGINNING
VIII. PARTNERS
IX. WESTWARD
X. I WAKE A SLEEPER
XI. MARY STARLING
XII. A COMPACT
XIII. WE REACH THE ISLANDS
XIV. A PROVISIONAL BARGAIN
XV. I TAKE A NEW PASSENGER
XVI. THE STORM
XVII. AFTER THE STORM
XVIII. IN WHICH I USE OPPORTUNITY
XIX. IN THE MIST
XX. WHAT I FOUND
XXI. THE PIVOT
XXII. THE PRICE OF SLEEP
XXIII. I ENCOUNTER MIXED MOTIVES
XXIV. I MEET VARIOUS WELCOMES
XXV. OVER CADILLAC'S TABLE
XXVI. FROM HOUR TO HOUR
XXVII. IN COUNCIL
XXVIII. CHILDREN OF OPPORTUNITY
XXIX. I FOLLOW MY PATH
XXX. THE MEANING OF CONQUEST
XXXI. THE UNDESERVED
XXXII. I TELL THE WOMAN
XXXIII. TO US AND TO OUR CHILDREN

MONTLIVET

CHAPTER I

THE KEY

The May sun was shining on Michillimackinac, and I, Armand de
Montlivet, was walking the strip of beach in front of the French
garrison.

I did not belong to Michillimackinac. I had come in only the day
before with two canoes and four men, and I was bound for the beaver
lands further west. A halt was necessary, for the trip had been
severe, and remembering that it was necessity, and not idleness, that
held me, I was enjoying the respite. My heart was light, and since the
heart is mistress of the heels, I walked somewhat trippingly. I was on
good terms with myself at the moment. My venture was going well, and I
was glad to be alone, and breathe deep of the sweet spring air, and let
my soul grow big with the cons