there
on the Heights; the silver flag with its gold lilies on the Chateau St.
Louis; the great guns of the citadel; and far off at Beauport the
Manor House and garden which you and I know so well, and the Falls of
Montmorenci, falling like white flowing hair from the tall cliff.

You will care to know of how these months have been spent, and what news
of note there is of the fighting between our countries. No matters of
great consequence have come to our ears, save that it is thought your
navy may descend on Louisburg; that Ticonderoga is also to be set upon,
and Quebec to be besieged in the coming summer. From France the news
is various. Now, Frederick of Prussia and England defeat the allies,
France, Russia, and Austria; now, they, as Monsieur Doltaire says, "send
the great Prussian to verses and the megrims." For my own part, I am
ever glad to hear that our cause is victorious, and letters that my
brother writes me rouse all my ardour for my country. Juste has grown
in place and favour, and in his latest letter he says that Monsieur
Doltaire's voice has got him much advancement. He also remarks that
Monsieur Doltaire has reputation for being one of the most reckless,
clever, and cynical men in France. Things that he has said are quoted
at ball and rout. Yet the King is angry with him, and La Pompadour's
caprice may send him again to the Bastile. These things Juste heard
from D'Argenson, Minister of War, through his secretary, with whom he is
friendly.

I will now do what I never thought to do: I will send you here some
extracts from my journal, which will disclose to you the secrets of a
girl's troubled heart. Some folk might say that I am unmaidenly in this.
But I care not, I fear not.

December 24. I was with Robert to-day. I let him see what trials I had
had with Monsieur Doltaire, and what were like to come. It hurt me to
tell him, yet it would have hurt me more to withhold them. I am hurt
whichever way it goes. Monsieur Doltaire rouses the worst parts of me.
On the one hand I detest him for his hatred of Robert and for his evil
life, yet on the other I must needs admire him for his many graces--why
are not the graces of the wicked horrible?--for his singular abilities,
and because, gamester though he may be, he is no public robber. Then,
too, the melancholy of his birth and history claims some sympathy.
Sometimes when I listen to him speak, hear the almost piquant sadness of
his words, watch the spirit of i