ll questions, direct or indirect, the motives impelling him. St. Luc asked
him about his life in the Indian village with Langlade, and then came back
presently to Paris and France, which he described more vividly than even
Montcalm had done. He seemed to know the very qualities that would appeal
most to Robert, and, despite himself, the lad felt his heart leap more than
once. Paris appeared in deeper and more glowing colors than ever as the
city of light and soul, but he was firm in his resolution not to go there
as a prisoner, if choice should be left to him. St. Luc himself became
enamored of his own words as he spoke. His eyes glowed, and his tone took
on great warmth and enthusiasm. But presently he ceased and when he laughed
a little his laugh showed a slight tone of disappointment.

"I do not move you, Mr. Lennox," he said. "I can see by your eye that your
will is hardening against my words, and yet I could wish that you would
listen to me. You will believe me when I say I mean you only good."

"I am wholly sure of it, Monsieur de St. Luc," said Robert, trying to speak
lightly, "but a long while ago I formed a plan to escape, and if I should
go to France it would interfere with it seriously. It would not be so easy
to leave Paris, and come back to the province of New York, and while I am
in North America it is always possible. I informed Captain Langlade that I
meant to escape, and now I repeat it to you."

The chevalier laughed.

"Time will tell," he said. "Your ambition to leave is a proper and
patriotic motive on your part, and I should be the last to accuse it. But
'tis not easy of accomplishment. I betray no military secret when I say
our army marches quickly and you will, of necessity, march with us. Captain
Langlade will still keep a vigilant watch over you, and you may be in
readiness to depart tomorrow morning."

Robert slept that night in Langlade's little section of the camp, but,
before he went to sleep, he spent much time wondering which way they would
go when the dawn came. Evidently no attack upon Albany was meant, as they
were too far west for such a venture, and he had reason to believe, also,
that with the coming of spring the Colonials would be in such posture of
defense that Montcalm himself would hesitate at such a task. He made
another attempt to draw the information from Langlade, but failed utterly.
Garrulous as he was otherwise, the French partisan would give no hint of
his general's pl