of a King's ship or merchantman lying unseen at anchor; or, as the
fog rolled slowly off, a swift canoe might be seen shooting out into
a streak of sunshine, with the first news of the morning from the
south shore.

Behind the Count and his companions rose the white glistening walls
of the Hotel Dieu, and farther off the tall tower of the newly-
restored Cathedral, the belfry of the Recollets, and the roofs of
the ancient College of the Jesuits. An avenue of old oaks and
maples shaded the walk, and in the branches of the trees a swarm of
birds fluttered and sang, as if in rivalry with the gay French talk
and laughter of the group of officers, who waited the return of the
Governor from the bastion where he stood, showing the glories of
Quebec to his friend.

The walls of the city ran along the edge of the cliff upwards as
they approached the broad gallery and massive front of the Castle of
St. Louis, and ascending the green slope of the broad glacis,
culminated in the lofty citadel, where, streaming in the morning
breeze, radiant in the sunshine, and alone in the blue sky, waved
the white banner of France, the sight of which sent a thrill of joy
and pride into the hearts of her faithful subjects in the New World.

The broad bay lay before them, round as a shield, and glittering
like a mirror as the mist blew off its surface. Behind the sunny
slopes of Orleans, which the river encircled in its arms like a
giant lover his fair mistress, rose the bold, dark crests of the
Laurentides, lifting their bare summits far away along the course of
the ancient river, leaving imagination to wander over the wild
scenery in their midst--the woods, glens, and unknown lakes and