So Fritz became the guest of Madame Drucour in the narrow little stone house; the Abbe likewise remained as an inmate whilst he recruited the health that had been so sorely tried and shattered of late.  Fritz was in no haste to depart, if his hosts desired his presence there.  He would join the English fleet when it appeared; but it mattered little to him how he passed the intervening time.  He could pass as well for a Frenchman as an Englishman, and did so for the time he remained in the city; but he kept his eyes open, and took careful note of what he saw, and, in truth, it seemed to him that the English fleet had little or no chance of effecting any landing in or near Quebec.

The fortifications of the town were immensely strong; so was its position—­so commandingly situated upon the little tongue of land.  There was a small camp upon the opposite point of land, which might perhaps be strengthened with advantage; but the whole of the north bank of the river was being fortified and intrenched, and was manned by regulars and Canadian troops, all well armed and munitioned.  It was impossible to see how any attacking force could obtain a foothold upon that strand; and if Fritz’s hosts took care to let him see all this, it seemed to him a proof that they well understood the impregnable character of their position.

But it was no part of Fritz’s plan to linger over long in Quebec, although he was wishful to see the city for himself, and to judge of the strength of its position.  He knew that the fleet from Louisbourg would be hanging about nearer the mouth of the great estuary, and to a traveller of his experience the journey either by land or water was a mere trifle.

Any day the sails of the English vessels might be expected to appear.  The seething excitement in the city, and the eager and laborious preparations upon land, showed how public feeling was being aroused.  It might not be well for Fritz to linger much longer.  If his real connection with the English were discovered, he might find himself in difficulties.

“I have arranged with a boatman to take you down the river tonight, Monsieur,” said Madame Drucour to him; when he had expressed a determination to leave.  “He is scouting for information as to the English fleet, and we have heard that vessels have been seen in the region of the Isle-aux-Coudres.  He will land you there, and you will then have no difficulty in rejoining your countrymen.  If Monsieur Wolfe has arrived, pray give him my best compliments, and tell him that I hope his health is improved, and that if we should meet once again it will be as friends.”

“I will not forget to do so, Madame,” answered Fritz.  “I myself look forward with pleasure to making the acquaintance of that great soldier.  I should not have dared to think that I might approach him myself; but since Julian is his friend, I shall not be denied his presence.”

Corinne was listening to the talk with eager interest; now she broke in with a smile: