"Quebec was attacked in two places."
"And captured?" demanded Zulma, unable to restrain herself.
"No, my daughter. Both attacks were repulsed."
Zulma clasped her hands to her forehead and would have sunk to the floor had she not been sustained by the good priest.
"Courage, my dear," he said "Excuse me for telling you these things, but I saw from your deportment in the church that you knew nothing of them, and I thought it would be well that I should be the first to inform you."
"Pardon my weakness, Monsieur Le Curé," was the meek reply. "I had indeed expected this, but the news is terribly sudden all the same. I entreat you to give me all the particulars which you know. I feel stronger now and can hear anything."
"I know little that is definite. In the general excitement, all sorts of rumours are aggravated when they reach us at this distance. But I am assured that General Montgomery has been killed and Colonel Arnold wounded. I knew these gentlemen. They dined several times at my table. They were fine men and I liked them well. I am distressed to hear of their misfortune."
"Have you heard of the fate of any other officers?"
"Of none by name, except that it was a certain Morgan who replaced Arnold and surrendered his army."
"Morgan?" exclaimed Zulma, and this time she was so overcome that she fell exhausted in a chair.