"Follow me, Monsieur;" and the officer conducted the marquis through the crowd, politely but firmly brushing aside those who blocked his path. He found the governor quickly. "Your Excellency, the Marquis de Périgny wishes to present to you letters from her august Majesty."
"Monsieur le Marquis here?" exclaimed the governor. He embraced the old nobleman, whom he held in genuine regard.
"So your Excellency remembers me?" said the marquis, pleased.
"One does not forget a man such as you are, Monsieur. And I see you here in Quebec? What twist of fortune brings you to my household?"
"I have come in search of a prodigal son, Monsieur," smiling. "Know you one who calls himself the Chevalier du Cévennes?"
"The Chevalier du Cévennes?" The governor was nonplussed. The marquis here in search of the Chevalier?
"I see that he is here," said the marquis, with a note of satisfaction.
"You will be my guest during your stay?" suggested the governor.
"Her Majesty asks that good favor of you."
"A great honor, Monsieur, truly;" and the governor was elated at the thought of having so distinguished a guest at his table.
The marquis turned to the patient Jehan. "Jehan, you will see to the portmanteaus."
A priest elbowed his way toward them. On seeing him, the marquis raised and lowered his bushy white brows. It was the handsome Jesuit whose face had stolen into many a dream of late. Brother Jacques was greatly astonished. The marquis greeted him, but without marked cordiality. At a sign from the governor the quartet moved up the path toward the cliffs, which the marquis measured with the eye of one who understood thoroughly the art and value of military strategy.
"Superb!" he murmured. "With a few men and plenty of ammunition, I could hold even England at bay."
"I am proud of it," acknowledged the governor; but there was a twinge of envy when it occurred to him that a handful of savages had worried him more than once. And here was a man who would defy the whole world.
Jehan felt a pressure on his arm. Turning, he beheld the shining face of Breton. He caught the lad in his arms and kissed him on the cheek.
"I expected to find you, lad. Ah, but you have done wrong. You should have told us. You should not have run away with Monsieur le Comte . . . ."