the course of time became a man of wit and energy worthy of his name.
He replied gaily,--

"Thanks, Mademoiselle Roy! It is just for sake of the fair internes
of the Convent that Drouillon and I have taken up the vocation of
statesmen, warriors, philosophers, and friends. We are quite ready to
guide your innocent footsteps through the streets of this perilous city,
if you are ready to go."

"We had better hasten too!" ejaculated Louise Roy, looking archly
through her eye-glass. "I can see Bonhomme Michel peeping round the
corner of the Cote de Lery! He is looking after us stray lambs of the
flock, Sieur Drouillon!"

Bonhomme Michel was the old watchman and factotum of the monastery. He
had a general commission to keep a sharp eye upon the young ladies who
were allowed to go out into the city. A pair of horn spectacles usually
helped his vision,--sometimes marred it, however, when the knowing
gallants slipped a crown into his hand to put in the place of his
magnifiers! Bonhomme Michel placed all his propitiation money--he liked
a pious word--in his old leathern sack, which contained the redemption
of many a gadding promenade through the streets of Quebec. Whether he
reported what he saw this time is not recorded in the Vieux Recit, the
old annals of the Convent. But as Louise Roy called him her dear old
Cupid, and knew so well how to bandage his eyes, it is probable the good
nuns were not informed of the pleasant meeting of the class Louises and
the gentlemen who escorted them round the city on the present occasion.

CHAPTER XIX. PUT MONEY IN THY PURSE.

The Chevalier des Meloises, quite out of humor with the merry Louises,
picked his way with quick, dainty steps down the Rue du Palais. The
gay Louises, before returning to the Convent, resolved to make a
hasty promenade to the walls to see the people at work upon them. They
received with great contentment the military salutes of the officers
of their acquaintance, which they acknowledged with the courtesy of
well-trained internes, slightly exaggerated by provoking smiles
and mischievous glances which had formed no part of the lessons in
politeness taught them by the nuns.

In justice be it said, however, the girls were actuated by a nobler
feeling than the mere spirit of amusement--a sentiment of loyalty to
France, a warm enthusiasm for their country, drew them to the walls:
they wanted to see the defenders of Quebec, to show their sympathy and
smile approva