their family. Who can tell how long ago! Perhaps when John the Baptist
was alive. What is that? Nothing. There is no baron now. All at once
somebody die a year ago, and leave them ten thousand dollars; and then--
mais, there is the grand difference! They have save and save twenty
years to pay their debts and to buy a seigneury, like that baron who live
in the time of John the Baptist. Now it is to stand on a ladder to speak
to them. And when all's done, they marry Ma'm'selle Sophie to a farrier,
to that Magon Farcinelle--bah!"

"Magon was at the Laval College in Quebec; he has ten thousand dollars;
he is the best judge of horses in the province, and he's a Member of
Parliament to boot," said the miller, puffing. "He is a great man
almost."

"He's no better judge of horses than M'sieu' Nic Lavilette--eh, that's a
bully bad scamp, my Gatineau!" responded Baby. "He's the best in the
family. He is a grand sport; yes. It's he that fetched Ma'm'selle
Sophie to the hitching-post. Voila, he can wind them all round his
finger!"

Baby looked round to see if any one was near; then he drew the miller's
head down by pulling at his collar, and whispered in his ear:

"He's hot foot for the Rebellion; that's one good thing," he said. "If
he wipes out the English--"

"Hold your tongue," nervously interrupted Gatineau, for just then two or
three loiterers of the parish came shambling around the corner of the
mill.