The sun hung level, now, sending its blinding light straight into our eyes; and for precaution’s sake we edged away under the blue shadows of the shrubbery, in case some far prowler note the light spots where our faces showed against the wall of green behind us.

“How far from Catharines-town,” I asked, “lies the Vale Yndaia, of which our little Lois has spoken?”

“It is the next valley to the westward. A pass runs through and a little brook. Pleasant it is, Loskiel, with grassy glades and half a hundred little springs which we call ‘Eyes of the Inland Seas.’“

“You know,” I said, “that in this valley all the hopes of Lois de Contrecoeur are centred.”