e of me--Monsieur Doltaire not at all. Those two either hate each
other lovingly, or love hatefully, I know not which, they are so biting,
yet so friendly to each other's cleverness, though their style of
word-play is so different: Monsieur Doltaire's like a bodkin-point,
Captain Moray's like a musket-stock a-clubbing. Be not surprised to
see the British at our gates any day. Though we shall beat them back, I
shall feel no less easy because I have a friend in the enemy's camp. You
may guess who. Do not smile. He is old enough to be my father. He said
so himself six months ago.

ALIXE.

VIII. AS VAIN AS ABSALOM

Gabord, coming in to me one day after I had lain down to sleep, said,
"See, m'sieu' the dormouse, 'tis holiday-eve; the King's sport comes
to-morrow."

I sat up in bed with a start, for I knew not but that my death had been
decided on without trial; and yet on second thought I was sure this
could not be, for every rule of military conduct was against it.

"Whose holiday?" asked I after a moment; "and what is King's sport?"

"You're to play bear in the streets to-morrow--which is sport for the
King," he retorted; "we lead you by a rope, and you dance the quickstep
to please our ladies all the way to the Chateau, where they bring the
bear to drum-head."

"Who sits behind the drum?" I questioned.

"The Marquis de Vaudreuil," he replied, "the Intendant, Master Devil
Doltaire, and the little men." By these last he meant officers of the
colonial soldiery.

So then, at last I was to be tried, to be dealt with definitely on the
abominable charge. I should at least again see light and breathe fresh
air, and feel about me the stir of the world. For a long year I had
heard no voice but my own and Gabord's, had had no friends but my pale
blades of corn and a timid mouse, day after day no light at all; and now
winter was at hand again, and without fire and with poor food my body
was chilled and starved. I had had no news of the world, nor of her who
was dear to me, nor of Juste Duvarney save that he lived, nor of our
cause. But succeeding the thrill of delight I had at thought of seeing
the open world again there came a feeling of lassitude, of indifference;
I shrank from the jar of activity. But presently I got upon my feet, and
with a little air of drollery straightened out my clothes and flicked a
handkerchief across my gaiters. Then I twisted my head over my shoulder
as if I were noting the shape of my