It may be objected that the expedition of Diane and Lydia to Mount Royal is improbable; but it must be remembered the road to the Mountain furnished the most popular pilgrimage of that period, and the dangers which beset the enterprise only heightened its merits. At a still earlier date Madame d’Aillebout and her sister climbed the mountain-side nine days in succession in order to make a neuvena before the cross erected by Maisonneuve.
Four Iroquois were actually burned at Montreal in the manner described, but the event occurred in 1701. Dubocq’s exploit is likewise historically correct, but it also occurred some years later than I have taken the liberty of placing it. In these, as in some other instances, the actual chronology has not been strictly followed, but has been altered to suit the exigencies of the tale.
Blanche Lucile Macdonnell.
CONTENTS.
| Chapter. | Page. | |
| I. | The Seigniory of Senneville | [9] |
| II. | A Fortified Residence | [17] |
| III. | An Iroquois Attack | [25] |
| IV. | An English Captive | [32] |
| V. | A Canadian Home | [43] |
| VI. | Madame’s “Apartement” | [54] |
| VII. | A Forest Adventure | [64] |
| VIII. | Ville Marie | [81] |
| IX. | An Occasion of Rejoicing | [92] |
| X. | The Council | [101] |
| XI. | The Annual Fair | [110] |
| XII. | A Canadian Bushranger | [118] |
| XIII. | Pierre’s Temptation | [127] |
| XIV. | An Awakening | [137] |
| XV. | Nanon’s Lovers | [142] |
| XVI. | A Vice-Regal Banquet | [157] |
| XVII. | The Matshi Skouéou | [164] |
| XVIII. | Saintly Protection | [174] |
| XIX. | A Woman’s Loyalty | [179] |
| XX. | Preparing for the Expedition | [192] |
| XXI. | Baptiste Finds His Wits | [202] |
| XXII. | The Departure | [207] |
| XXIII. | Suspense | [211] |
| XXIV. | A Pilgrimage to Mount Royal | [217] |
| XXV. | Tidings at Last | [227] |
| XXVI. | Du Chesne’s Return | [237] |
| XXVII. | A Completed Sacrifice | [246] |
DIANE OF VILLE MARIE.