I cannot help feeling I have met
you. I was wont to hear your name very often when a young girl?"

"Indeed? And to whom did I owe that favour?"

"To your friend, the Vicomte de Trincardel."

He stared at me as if in great amazement, and when he spake his
tone was that of a man deeply puzzled.

"You know the Vicomte de Trincardel?".

"Assuredly, monsieur--that is, I did know him. He was a frequent
visitor at my guardian's both in Paris and London," and then I
stupidly fell to blushing like a school-girl.

"Strange, very strange," he muttered, in an absent manner.

"No, monsieur, not strange," I answered, for I could not bear he
should misunderstand; "my family name is Nairn, and my guardian
was the late Lady Jane Drummond."

"Oh, pardon me, madame; it was only the odd chance of my meeting
with you that I marvelled at. But it is a narrow world, after all,
for a few years ago, when in Italy, I heard of your brother from
the Cardinal York: he spake of him in terms of the warmest affection."

"Helas! monsieur, my brother is dead to me. He has deserted the
cause to which I and mine have been faithful; he now holds a
commission in the English army."

"Again I must ask for pardon; but to come back to your plans. Now
as to Louisbourg, there is no danger, madame, either on the journey
or when you reach there, provided you leave again before spring.
You can be safely back in Quebec before the snows go, and on your
way to France by the first ship, long ere any serious danger
threatens. I am taking for granted, however, that you will hardly
choose to remain in this enchanting colony longer than may be
necessary. Would it meet your wish, if you were to return by the
spring?"

"Oh, perfectly, perfectly, monsieur!" I exclaimed, overjoyed to
answer a question which presented no difficulties and opened out
a way before me.

"Then, madame, I would recommend the following plan: instead of
going on to Quebec, by which you will lose little, save a glimpse
at a society which is not without its charm, you should go back
across the river and down as far as Beaulieu, where you will find
Mme. de Sarennes and her charming daughter Angelique. I shall give
you letters which will ensure you a welcome and a shelter for such
time as you may have to remain under her care. Her son Charles,
who is a noted figure in the colony, will be up and down between
Louisbourg and Quebec during the winter, and I will see that he
takes charge of you a