kindly: "You
come suddenly, monsieur."

"Yet have I travelled hard and long," he answered.

"Yes?"

"And I have a message for you."

"A message?" she said abstractedly, and turned a little pale.

"A message and a gift from Monsieur Iberville." He drew the letter
and the ring from his pocket and held them out, repeating Iberville's
message. There was a troubled look in her eyes and she was trembling a
little now, but she spoke clearly.

"Monsieur," she said, "you will tell Monsieur Iberville that I may not;
I am married."

"So, madame," he said. "But I still must give my message." When he had
done so he said: "Will you take the letter?" He held it out.

There was a moment's doubt and then she took it, but she did not speak.

"Shall I carry no message, madame?"

She hesitated. Then, at last: "Say that I wish him good fortune--with
all my heart."

"Good fortune--ah, madame!" he answered, in a meaning tone.

"Say that I pray God may bless him, and make him a friend of my
country," she added in a low, almost broken voice, and she held out her
hand to him.

The gallant woodsman pressed it to his lips. "I am sorry, madame," he
replied, with an admiring look.

She shook her head sadly. "Adieu, monsieur!" she said steadily and very
kindly.

A moment after he was gone. She looked at the missive steadfastly for
a moment, then thrust it into the folds of her dress and, very pale,
walked quietly to the house, where, inside her own room, she lighted a
candle. She turned the letter over in her hand once or twice, and her
fingers hung at the seal. But all at once she raised it to her lips, and
then with a grave, firm look, held it in the flame and saw it pass in
smoke. It was the last effort for victory.

EPOCH THE FOURTH

CHAPTER XIX

WHICH TELLS OF A BROTHER'S BLOOD CRYING FROM THE GROUND

Two men stood leaning against a great gun aloft on the heights of
Quebec. The air of an October morning fluttered the lace at their
breasts and lifted the long brown hair of the younger man from his
shoulders. His companion was tall, alert, bronzed, grey-headed, with an
eagle eye and a glance of authority. He laid his hand on the shoulder
of the younger man and said: "I am glad you have come, Iberville, for I
need you, as I need all your brave family--I could spare not one."

"You honour me, sir," was the reply; "and, believe me, there is none in
Quebec but thanks God that their governor is here before Phips ro