“I should have done better to leave the child at home,” he thought.
At that moment he was met by Chevalier Levis, who had arrived with the troops, and was camped outside the town in the plain of Montmorenci.
“Well, General,” he said gaily, “are things going pretty smoothly?”
“By no means,” answered Montcalm; “at every step I find impediments in my way. These Canadians take life easily; while the Indians and the English are fighting for dominion, they seem to think nothing of so great importance as balls and picnics.”
“All that will change before long,” said the Chevalier cheerfully. “You cannot expect everybody to view events as seriously as you do, General. I certainly am agreeably surprised. I did not expect to find such pleasant society and such pretty women in Quebec; but you are above such trifles! Still, if you will allow me to say it, do you not think it would be wise to conciliate the powers that be?”
“As far as possible I most certainly do,” answered Montcalm. “A proposition has just been made me which puts me in an awkward position. If I refuse I am afraid I shall give great offence, and yet I am unwilling to agree to it.”
“What is it?” asked the Chevalier.
They were entering the Rue St. Louis, in which street the General had taken a small, one-storied house; here he had settled Mercèdes and her nurse for the time being at least.
“If you will come in I will tell you; your opinion may help me to decide,” he said.
A few minutes later they were seated in a plainly furnished room, the principal ornament of which was the large white porcelain stove used to warm the apartment during the severe Canadian winters.