a man of less nice breeding.

"I am sorry we cannot offer you any fitting hospitality here," he
said, as he rose. Then, turning towards the others, he added:
"Gentlemen, I am apologising for our scanty larder, which prevents
our detaining Mme. de St. Just for supper. M. de Bougainville, as
a mathematician, might have seen to a less exact but more generous
provision."

"His head was among the stars," explained a jovial-looking officer,
in a rueful tone, "and we less-exalted mortals are the losers,
alas!"

"But surely we have somewhat to drink to the success of madame's
journey?" said M. de Montcalm, in mock alarm.

"Assuredly, mon general! I at least was not star-gazing when I laid
in the Bordeaux. I can even provide a glass of Frontignan for
madame," responded a little bright-eyed officer.

"Bravo, Joannes!" laughed the general. "Frontignan! That brings
back the whole South, madame; its very name makes me homesick.
Homesickness makes us all young, makes us all little children again.
Ma foi! I believe that is why the Spaniard pretended the Fountain
of Youth was to be found in the New World. I defy any one to remain
here and not have perpetual youth, if my theory be correct."

"But at least madame did not come to seek it," responded M. de
Bougainville, gallantly, "and we are keeping her standing."

Thereupon they touched my glass, in order, each with a prettily
turned wish for my good fortunes, and I tasted the sweet wine of
Frontignan in return to the toast they drank together. No wishes
could have been more welcome, and the little friendly ceremony
meant much to me; indeed my heart was very full when M. de Montcalm
bent over and kissed my hand as he helped me into the shallop and
we pulled off into the dusk. Did I need anything further to set my
uneasy mind at rest, I found it in the quiet words of Lucy when I
told her of the outcome of my visit.

"Oh, my dear mistress," she exclaimed, in a voice full of feeling,
"He hath made our path straight to our feet!"

CHAPTER XVI

AT BEAULIEU

Gabriel altered his course with the satisfaction of a man confirmed
in his superior judgment. "'II y a remede a tout, fors a la mort,'
madame, and this has come at the last hour," he cried, in great
satisfaction. "I suppose le pere Jean would say you were going to
Louisbourg all the time, only it would look to an ordinary sinner
like a precious long way round," and he chuckled at his jest as he
bustled about, filling