ere is the Count d'Argentenaye in
armor." And thus he took me about on a singular round, and informed me
concerning the whole gallery.

He stopped at an old, solid wood cabinet, with spiral legs, bent over
and opened it with a key.

"Now," thought I, "these mysteries are going to be explained."

"This is a dress sword," he went on, "worn in France, at the court of
Louis XIII. It was worn by one of your forefathers. Here are two
decorations--Crosses of St. Louis--what beautiful little things they
are. They belong to two of us who were Chevaliers."

I was only still more mystified.

"Come into the office, my son," said he, leading me into a room used for
collecting the feudal rents and other business.

"It is coming now," I exclaimed to myself.

My father lifted out an iron box, ornamented with our arms in color, and
handed to me a parchment, having an immense wax seal, which I took and
read.

Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, Councillor of the King in his
Councils of the State and Privy Council, Governor and Lieutenant-General
of His Majesty in Canada, Acadia, and other countries of Septentrional
France. To All Those who shall see these present letters: HIS MAJESTY
having at all times sought to act with "zeal proper to the just title of
Eldest Son of the Church, has passed into this Country good number of
his subjects, Officers of his troops in the Regiment of Carignan and
others, whereof the most part desiring to attach themselves to the
country by founding Estates and Seigniories proportionate to their
force; and the Sieur JEAN CHAMILIE D'ARGENTENAY, Lieutenant of the
Company of D'Ormilliere, having prayed us to grant him some such: WE,
in consideration of the good, useful, and praiseworthy services he has
rendered to His Majesty as well in Old France as New, do concede to the
said Sieur Jean Chamilie D'Argentenay, the Extent of Lands which shall
be found on the River St. Lawrence from those of Sieur Simon de la
Lande to those heretofore granted to the Sieur de Bois-Hebert, to enjoy
said land _en Fief et Seigneurie_ at charge of the Faith and Homage,
the said Sieur Jean Chamilie D'Argentenay his heirs and representatives
shall he held to render at Our Castle of St. Louis at Quebec.

"DE FRONTENAC."

I laid down the parchment.

"This is the original grant of the seigniory?"

"Yes," he replied with animation, "The 'HIS MAJESTY' there is the Grand
Monarque himself! De Frontenac is the Great Count, and tha