ed it courteously to the young Seigneur. They were all silent. There
had been a discourtesy, and it lay like a cloud on the coterie. De la
Riviere opened the door to go out, after bowing to the Cure and the
avocat, who stood up with mannered politeness; but presently he turned,
came back, was about to speak, when, catching sight of a miniature of
Valmond on the avocat's desk, before which was set a bunch of violets,
he wheeled and left the room without a word.

The moon had not yet risen, but stars were shining, when the young
Seigneur and the member came to Dalgrothe Mountain. On one side of the
Rock of Red Pigeons was a precipice and wild water; on the other was a
deep valley like a cup, and in the centre of this was a sort of plateau
or gentle slope. Dalgrothe Mountain towered above. Upon this plateau
Valmond had pitched his tents. There was water, there was good air, and
for purposes of drill--or defence--it was excellent. The approaches were
patrolled, so that no outside stragglers could reach either the Rock
of Red Pigeons or the valley, or see what was going on below, without
permission. Lagroin was everywhere, drilling, commanding, browbeating
his recruits one minute, and praising them the next. Lajeunesse,
Garotte, and Muroc were invaluable, each after his kind. Duclosse the
mealman was sutler.

The young Seigneur and his companions were not challenged, and they
passed on up to the Rock of Red Pigeons. Looking down, they had a
perfect view of the encampment. The tents had come from lumber-camps,
from river-driving gangs, and from private stores; there was some
regular uniform, flags were flying everywhere, many fires were burning,
the voice of Lagroin in command came up the valley loudly, and Valmond
watched the drill and a march past. The fires lit up the sides of the
valley and glorified the mountains beyond. In this inspiring air it
was impossible to feel an accent of disaster or to hear the stealthy
footfall of ruin.

The three journeyed down into the valley, then up onto the plateau,
where they were challenged, allowed to pass, and came to where Valmond
sat upon his horse. At sight of them, with a suspicion of the truth, he
ordered Lagroin to march the men down the long plateau. They made a good
figure filing past the three visitors, as the young Seigneur admitted.

Valmond got from his horse, and waited for them. He looked weary, and
there were dark circles round his eyes, as though he had had an illne