"True words and good, my Lord Bishop," replied the Governor; "the
retention of all Flanders now in the strong hands of the Marshal de
Saxe would be a poor compensation for the surrender of a glorious
land like this to the English."

Flying rumors of some such proposal on the part of France had
reached the Colony, with wild reports arising out of the endless
chaffering between the negotiators for peace, who had already
assembled at Aix la Chapelle. "The fate of America will one day be
decided here," continued the Governor; "I see it written upon this
rock, 'Whoever rules Quebec will sway the destinies of the
continent.' May our noble France be wise, and understand in time
the signs of empire and of supremacy!"

The Bishop looked upwards with a sigh. "Our noble France has not
yet read those tokens, or she misunderstands them. Oh, these
faithful subjects of hers! Look at them, your Excellency." The
Bishop pointed toward the crowd of citizens hard at work on the
walls. "There is not a man of them but is ready to risk life and
fortune for the honor and dominion of France, and yet they are
treated by the Court with such neglect, and burdened with exactions
that take from life the sweet reward of labor! They cannot do the
impossible that France requires of them--fight her battles, till her
fields, and see their bread taken from them by these new ordinances
of the Intendant."

"Well, my Lord," replied the Governor, affecting a jocularity he
did not feel, for he knew how true were the words of the Bishop,
"we must all do our duty, nevertheless: if France requires