Evangeline was busy spinning, for in those days it was the duty of an
industrious housewife to make all the linen which would be required for
her future home. Presently the latch was lifted and in came the stalwart
blacksmith with his son. The two elders took their usual seats near the
hearth and smoked their pipes, while the young couple stood apart by the
window and talked of their future life.

Said Basil: "I do not like the look of things just now. English ships
with cannon pointed against us are at anchor in our harbor. We do not
yet know whether their intention be good or ill, but we are all
summoned to appear in the church to-morrow and hear his Majesty's
command, which is to be made the law of the land."

[Illustration]

"Nonsense," replied Benedict, "you look on present circumstances too
gloomily. After all, since this land now belongs to the English, it is
only natural that we should have to obey fresh laws. We are an honest
and law-abiding people and they cannot intend to harm us."

"The English have not forgotten that we helped our kinsmen, the French,
against them," replied the blacksmith. "Many of the villagers fear they
mean to harm us, and have already fled to the forest, taking with them
all the weapons they could lay hands on."

"Fear no evil, my friend," said the jovial farmer. "To-night, at any
rate, let no shadow of sorrow fall on this house, for we are assembled
here to draw up our children's marriage contract. Their house is built,
the barns filled with hay, and all is in readiness for them."

As he spoke a knock was heard at the door and the worthy notary, Pere
Leblanc, came in. The disquieting news in the village was discussed
anew, and the notary said: "Man is unjust, but God is just, and justice
finally triumphs. When I was taken captive and lay imprisoned in a
French fort I was often consoled by an old story which ran thus: 'Once
in an ancient city, whose name I cannot recall, poised on a column,
stood a brazen statue of Justice. In her right hand she held a sword,
and in her left a pair of scales. The birds of the air had no fear of
the sword which flashed and glittered in the sunshine, and some of the
boldest among them even built their nests in the scales. Now it chanced
that a necklace of pearls was lost in a nobleman's palace and suspicion
fell on a young maid-servant. Although her guilt could not be proved,
she was condemned to death, and her execution took place at the foot of