“I suppose, Dave,” said Robert, “since we have to wait two days for the Marquis Duquesne, that we might go forth at once and begin seeing the town.”

“Food first,” said the hunter.  “We’ve come a long journey on the river and we’ll test the quality of the, inn.”

It was too cool for the little terrace that adjoined the Inn of the Eagle, and Monsieur Berryer had a table set for them in the great dining-room, which had an oaken floor, oaken beams and much china and glass on shelves about the walls, the whole forming an apartment in which the host took a just pride.  It was gayer and brighter than the inns of Albany and New York, and again Robert found his spirit responding to it.

A fire of light wood that blazed and sparkled merrily burned in a huge stone fireplace at the end of the room, and its grateful warmth entered into Robert’s blood.  He suddenly felt a great exaltation.  He was glad to be there.  He was glad that Tayoga and Willet were with him.  He was glad that they had encountered dangers on their journey because they had won a triumph in overcoming them, and by the very act of victory they had increased their own strength and confidence.  His sensitive, imaginative nature, easily kindled to supreme efforts, thrilled with the thoughts of the great deeds they might do.

His pleasure in the company and the atmosphere increased.  Everything about him made a strong appeal to good taste.  At the end of the room, opposite the fireplace, stood a vast sideboard, upon which china and glass, arranged in harmonious groups, shone and glittered.  The broad shelves or niches in the walls held much cut glass, which now and then threw back from many facets the ruddy light of the fire.  Before sitting down, they had dipped their hands in a basin of white china filled with water, and standing beside the door, and that too had pleased Robert’s fastidious taste.

At their table each of the three found an immaculate white napkin, a large white china plate and goblet, knife, fork and spoon, all of silver, polished to the last degree.  Again Robert’s nature responded and he looked at himself in his fine dress in the glittering silver of the goblet.  Then his right hand stole down and caressed the hilt of his rapier.  He felt himself very much of a gentleman, very much of a chevalier, fit to talk on equal terms with St. Luc, de Galisonniere or the best French officer of them all.  And Willet, wearing his costly costume with ease, was very much of a gentleman too, and Tayoga, dressed as the forest prince, was in his own way, and quite as good a way, as much of a gentleman as either.

At least a dozen others were in the great room, and many curious eyes were upon the three visitors from the south.  It was likely that the presence of such marked figures as theirs would become known quickly in Quebec.  They had shown the papers bearing their names at the gate by which they had entered, and doubtless the news of their arrival had been spread at once by the officer in command there.  Well, they would prove to the proud chevaliers of Quebec how the Bostonnais could bear themselves, and Robert’s pulses leaped.