"What reason does His Majesty give," asked La Corne St. Luc, "for
this singular communication?"
"The only reason given is found in the concluding paragraph of the
despatch. I will allow the Secretary to read so much of it, and no
more, before the Intendant arrives." The Governor looked up at the
great clock in the hall with a grim glance of impatience, as if
mentally calling down anything but a blessing upon the head of the
loitering Intendant.
"The Count de le Galissoniere ought to know," said the despatch
sneeringly, "that works like those of Quebec are not to be
undertaken by the governors of colonies, except under express orders
from the King; and therefore it is His Majesty's desire that upon
the reception of this despatch your Excellency will discontinue the
works that have been begun upon Quebec. Extensive fortifications
require strong garrisons for their defence, and the King's treasury
is already exhausted by the extraordinary expenses of the war in
Europe. It cannot at the same time carry on the war in Europe and
meet the heavy drafts made upon it from North America.
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