I have tidings of the utmost importance for him alone."
Le Moyne had at once recognized the voice of his beloved and long-lost
pupil, and with hands trembling with eager excitement, he hastened to
throw wide open the shutter and assist him to enter by the window.
When he had got him safely inside he embraced the lad fervently, and
kissed him on both cheeks. Then he said, "Thy uncle has been ill and
is still weak; but if thy business is indeed as urgent as thou
representest, I will instantly acquaint him with thy presence. I must,
however, break the glad tidings gently and gradually to him, for fear
of the effect of an overdose of joy."
So the good man shuffled away in his loose slippers towards the room in
which Laudonniere lay, and without his knowledge, Rene followed him
closely.
In the commandant's room Le Moyne began with,
"Monsieur, I have a message from the dead."
"Ay, thou wert always a dreamer," replied the sick man, testily.
"Nay, but this time it is no dream, but a living reality."
"Then the dead have come to life, and thou hast had dealings not with
them, but with the living."
"It is even so, and he is one very dear to thee, whom thou hast deemed
lost."
"What sayest thou?" cried the old chevalier, sitting up in bed in his
excitement. "One dear to me, whom I deemed lost, and is now restored?
It can be none other than Rene, my son. Where is he? Why tarries he
from me?"
"He tarries not, uncle!" exclaimed a glad voice at the door, and in
another moment uncle and nephew were locked in a close embrace, while
sympathetic tears of joy stood in the eyes of the good Le Moyne.
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