"That the Lord de la Roche will have particularly in view the establishment of the Catholic faith; that his authority will extend over all the men of war, both on sea and land; that he will choose the captains, masters of vessels, and pilots; that he shall have a right to command them in all cases which he may deem necessary, while they can not, under any pretext, refuse to obey him; that he may put the ships and crews, which he will find in the ports of France, in a seaworthy condition, raise as many troops as he may wish, to make war, build forts and cities, give them laws and punish their transgressors or pardon them; grant to noblemen fiefs, lordships, manors, counties, baronies, and other dignities, subject to our sovereignty, according as he may deem conducive to the good of the service, and to the others of lower condition at such charge and annual rent as it may please him to impose, but from which they will be exempt the six first years, and longer, if he deems it necessary; that on the return of his expedition, he can divide between those who made the voyage with him, one third of all the gains and profits, retaining another third for himself, and employing the remaining third to meet the expenses of the war, fortifications, and other common expenses; that all the noblemen, merchants, and others who will accompany him at their own expense, or otherwise, can do so in full liberty, but that they will not be permitted to carry on commerce without his permission, and that under pain of the confiscation of their ships, merchandise, and other effects; that in case of disease or death he can, by will or otherwise, name one or

two lieutenants to tako his place; that he will have the liberty in the whole kingdom to make a levy of workmen, and other men necessary for the success of his enterprise; finally, that he will enjoy the same powers, privileges, immunities, and authorities of which the Lord of Roberval had been gratified by the late King Francis I.

"Given at our palace of the Louvre, in our good city of Paris, this second day of January, of the year of grace one thousand five hundred and ninety-eight, and of our reign the ninth.

Signed,

-66 HENRY OF FRANCE AND OF NAVARRE."*

"John," said the marquis, when he had concluded the reading.

"Monseigneur !"

66

"You have read the narrative of James Cartier ?"

The equerry nodded affirmatively.

"And you are still resolved to accompany me ?" added William de la Roche, closely scrutinizing the young man. "Yes, sir," replied the equerry without hesitation. "The perils and dangers don't frighten you ?”

*It will be understood that the letter, which we have given here, is but a very succinct abridgment of that which granted to William de la Roche the Lieutenancy of Canada. To have given the letter entire would have been a superfluity, which would be injurious to the dramatic interest of our recital.

"I have descended from a family in which the term fear has no meaning. On our coat of arms is engraved 'Audaces fortuna juvat!' which signifies that a man should never be afraid when he is engaged in a noble enterprise."

"Well," said William, "I like to hear you speak of fortune. But you understand the object of our expedition ?"

"To found a colony."

"This is not all," replied the marquis warmly. "Oh, it is not all! I say it is the least inducement! My son, we have to propagate the doctrines which Jesus Christ, our Saviour, transmitted to the world through the medium of the holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church; we must carry the torch of truth into the midst of ignorant and idolatrous people, who inhabit the forests of North America; we must work out our own salvation, to merit heaven in converting the Indians to our religion! we must "(De la Roche lowers his voice)" prevent the heretics-the Huguenotsyou understand me, John-from distilling on New France the venom of their lying dogmas, as they have already tried to do at Charlefort, at the instigation of Coligny!"

After this sortie, dictated by the religious fanaticism of the time, De la Roche inclined his head on his breast, and indulged in profound meditation. But if he had cast his eyes on his equerry, he would have been surprised at the

change he had undergone in a few minutes. John de Ganay was pale to lividness; his features contracted; his muscles trembled, he seemed to combat with himself against bitter anger, furiously bit his lips, as if to repress the

words that flowed to his lips. By degrees, however, he recovered his self-control, so that, when the marquis had got over his revery, he was calm, or at least seemed so. “You understood me ?" asked the Marquis de la Roche. "I did," coldly replied John.

"And you will come, the cross in one hand and the hoe in the other, and if I succumb—”

"I will undertake the accomplishment of your last wishes."

"Mark you, John," said the marquis, rising, and taking the hand of the viscount, which he found moist and cold: “thank you, you will one day be the glory of Christianity."

De Ganay retired, and William de la Roche went to prostrate himself before his crucifix,

CHAPTER IV.

THE UNCLE AND HIS NIECE.

LAURA de Kerskoën was again seated in her chair, absorbed in thought.

"What folly! to write me that he will come this evening! Did I not tell him that I expected my uncle? But what signify these words: Fear nothing, my precautions are well taken; to-morrow, if you wish, we shall be united. by indissoluble ties.' Oh, I tremble! What am I to do? Dear Bertrand! he is capable of all-he loves me so much! Why is it that a mortal enmity divides our parents? But no, no! I shall never be the wife of any man in the world but him! Oh, I would rather berry myself in a cloister! Is not my love just, is it not legitimate? Do I not owe my existence to this brave champion? Where should I be without him, good St. Mary? At the peril of his life he rescued me from the flames which devoured the convent of my aunt. How handsome he is, how brave! And yet so timid with me! confronting every danger, in order