Colin and Corinne had missed their companionship, but had been assured of a meeting before so very long.  They knew what that had meant, yet they could not resent the suggestion.  Constant companionship with the English middies had intensified their interest in the English cause.  They did not speak of it much except to one another, but in secret they had no fear of the unknown foe.  They felt a certain exultation and triumph in the stories they were always hearing of English prowess and valour.

And now it was known to all that the crucial moment had come.  The English had made a great coup.  They had landed; they had stormed the heights; they were said to be intrenching themselves and bringing up their guns; and although this was not true at the moment, the very thought struck terror into the hearts of the citizens and soldiers.

Unless they could be dislodged from their present commanding position, the town was lost.  That was the word in the mouths of all.  A mounted messenger, followed by others, had been sent flying to Montcalm and Vaudreuil.  It was certain that the General would be quickly on the spot, and surely he and his army together would suffice to drive back or annihilate this audacious intruder!

So said the people; yet none dared to make light of the peril.  Madame Drucour’s face was very grave as she sat looking out into the street, her arm about Corinne.  It was not even safe for them to try to go out to the hospital that morning—­the hospital which had been moved out of the town and erected upon the plain of the St. Charles, out of reach of the enemy’s guns.  Hitherto the Heights of Abraham had been like a rampart of defence; now they were alive with the battalions of the foe.  The plain might at any time become the scene of a battle or a rout.

“Here is Colin back!” cried Corinne, suddenly starting to her feet.  “Now he will tell us!”

“It is all true!” cried the lad, bursting into the room.  “It is wonderful to see them; it is marvellous what they have done.  They must have scaled the cliffs at almost impossible places; and now they are forming up in a splendid way!  The whole plateau is alive with them!”

“The first rays of the sun striking across it were dyed red with the scarlet uniforms.  It was magnificent to see them.  I cannot tell whether they have any guns there.  I saw none.  But it is not easy to get a good view of the plain; the ridge above the town hides it.”

“But what is our General doing?” asked Madame Drucour, with clasped hands.

“They say he is coming; they say he is on his way from the Beauport camp with the whole army at his back.  If he has also sent a message directing Bougainville to advance at the same time from Cap Rouge and fall upon the English rear, it might well be that the invaders would be cut to pieces.  But no one here knows what is ordered.  Some say one thing and some another.  One thing alone is certain—­the Marquis is on his way.”