“Yes, dear; but no one is blaming you.”
“You are all good,” she said, with a sigh of content; and I ran off to obtain a ready approval of my stay from both the Superior and Angélique, who promised to return on the morrow.
My presence was all that was needed to quiet Lucy, and she passed a restful night, to awaken so greatly improved that she readily talked of her wanderings. It was much as I had suspected; M. de Sarennes had wilfully encouraged and deceived her, feeding her delusion at every opportunity, even giving her directions for her road, in the evident intent of getting her out of the way, to have a freer hand in his designs. It was a relief to find that every one had treated her with kindness, and that she had found a shelter in St. Roch, with a widow, who was thankful for the trifle she paid for her lodging. Once she reached Quebec she was quite content, for she had only to wait until Christopher might appear. She gave no reason why she was wandering out by the St. Charles, and I did not question her; but no doubt she had really been ill for days, and was not fully conscious of her action.
Mme. de Sarennes came with Angélique in the morning, and it was touching to see how lively an interest this quiet Lucy had awakened in both their hearts.
“You are in good hands, my dear,” said the old lady, graciously. “Show your gratitude by getting well and coming back to us.”
“I will do my best, madame. God has been very good to me,” she answered, in halting French; whereupon Mme. de Sarennes patted her cheek, and left to speak with her friend the Superior.
As she was going, Angélique beckoned me into the corridor, and whispered: “I was thinking last night that we might ask M. de Maxwell to come and give her news of her boy when he was in Louisbourg. You know Charles told us he was much with him there, and I am sure my mother can obtain leave from the Superior. What do you think?”
“I think it would do her more good than anything else in the world, We will ask her.”
“Lucie,” asked Angélique, “would you like me to bring a gentleman who was in Louisbourg, and who can give you news of Christophe when he was there?”
“Oh yes, mademoiselle; I should love it above all things,” she answered, with a flush of joy over her pale face.