of the times prevalent among the young men of rank and fortune in
the colony, who in dress, luxury, and immorality, strove to imitate
the brilliant, dissolute Court of Louis XV.

Amelie passionately loved her brother, and endeavored--not without
success, as is the way with women--to blind herself to his faults.
She saw him seldom, however, and in her solitary musings in the far-
off Manor House of Tilly, she invested him with all the perfections
he did and did not possess; and turned a deaf, almost an angry ear,
to tales whispered in his disparagement.


CHAPTER III.

A CHATELAINE OF NEW FRANCE.


The Governor was surprised and delighted to encounter Lady de Tilly
and her fair niece, both of whom were well known to and highly
esteemed by him. He and the gentlemen of his suite saluted them
with profound respect, not unmingled with chivalrous admiration for
noble, high-spirited women.

"My honored Lady de Tilly and Mademoiselle de Repentigny," said the
Governor, hat in hand, "welcome to Quebec. It does not surprise,
but it does delight me beyond measure to meet you here at the head
of your loyal censitaires. But it is not the first time that the
ladies of the House of Tilly have turned out to defend the King's
forts against his enemies."