The remaining guest, who was a stranger to her, was presented as Humphrey Angell, and she looked with quick interest at him, recollecting how Fritz had told her the tale of that terrible Indian raid, and how he had found the two brothers, almost distracted by anguish and despair, amid the blackened ruins of their once prosperous settlement.  This was the brother of the strange, wild-looking man whom she and Colin had seen in the forest long, long ago, and who had perished in the hour of vengeance.  How interesting it was, she thought, to see all these men of whom she had heard and thought so much!  She let her glance wander from one face to the other, and she was not ashamed of the feeling of keen admiration which awoke within her.

The three midshipmen were also of the company.  Discipline had been somewhat relaxed in the hour of battle and victory, and they had obtained leave of absence from their ship for a while.  Colin had brought them back for a farewell repast.  They seemed almost like sons of the house by this time; and they had brought with them, from one of the provision transports, a supply of good victuals which had made Bonnehomme Michel’s eyes shine and her wrinkled visage beam.

The scent of coffee pervaded the house, and soon a savoury mess such as had not been seen for long upon that table was set down, and the guests, in excellent spirits, took their places.  Corinne found herself seated next to Julian, with Arthur on her other side.  The Abbe took the foot of the table, and Madame Drucour the head.  She looked pale and grave, but showed a gentle dignity and courtesy of bearing which was very impressive; and everyone showed her all possible deference.

Corinne spoke to Julian in a low voice.

“I want to ask of your General, the great Wolfe.  Were you with him when he died?”

“Yes, Mademoiselle; he died in my arms.  I have had the honour of calling myself his friend for above a year.”

At that word Madame Drucour looked up and said: 

“Ah, let me hear of Monsieur Wolfe!  I had hoped to see him again myself.  Such a hero, such a sweet and courteous gentleman!  Frenchwoman though I be, I could have welcomed him as the victor of Quebec!”

All listened with deep attention as Julian related in considerable detail the story of the last hours of Wolfe, and Madame Drucour wiped her eyes many times during the recital.

“Ah! if he had but lived to see the city of his hopes, I would myself have been his nurse, and would have brought him back to health and strength.

“You smile, sir; but yet I have seen much of sickness.  You will hear that the doctors themselves give me the credit for saving many lives.”