About this story
Pierre Philibert comes home from the west to court you, a veiled lady buys death from a black casket at the cottage under the cliff, and La Corriveau ends hanged in her iron cage on the hill of Levis. Forty-six chapters carry you from the ramparts, through your brother's ruin in the market, to the convent grille where you die in Pierre's arms.
Who you’ll meet
A seigneuress in her sixties who raised a battery overnight out of her own tenants, standing on an unfinished rampart beside the governor and a foreign naturalist while a dispatch from the west is opened and not read aloud.
How it opens
Sunrise found Quebec's citizens strengthening walls above a river still veiled by blue mist.
You had come from Tilly with your aunt and the men of her seigniory to aid the defenses.
Aunt de TillyAmelie, praise keeps tired hands moving when orders no longer do.
Aunt de TillySpeak to the families as well as the men; everyone has surrendered labor.
Bishop of QuebecLady de Tilly has brought both an example and a much-needed conscience.
Choose
The workers deserve the credit before those who encourage them.
A wall raised by exhausted people may defend an exhausted city.