Yet she was quiet and unmoving, now and then saying an encouraging word to Lapierre, who smacked his lips for miles afterwards, and took out of his horses their strength and paces by masterly degrees.

So that when, at last, on the hill they saw far off the spires of Quebec, the team was swinging as steadily on as though they had not come twenty-five miles already.

This was a moment of pride for Lapierre, but of apprehension for Madelinette.

At the last two inns on the road she had got news of both Tardif and Havel.

Tardif had had the final start of half-an-hour.