CHAPTER XVII. SPLENDIDE MENDAX.
Amid the ruins of the once magnificent palace of the Intendant, massivefragments of which still remain to attest its former greatness,there may still be traced the outline of the room where Bigot walkedrestlessly up and down the morning after the Council of War. Thedisturbing letters he had received from France on both public andprivate affairs irritated him, while it set his fertile brain at workto devise means at once to satisfy the Marquise de Pompadour and to havehis own way still.
The walls of his cabinet--now bare, shattered, and roofless with theblasts of six score winters--were hung with portraits of ladies andstatesmen of the day; conspicuous among which was a fine picture fromthe pencil of Vanloo of the handsome, voluptuous Marquise de Pompadour.
With a world of faults, that celebrated dame, who ruled France in thename of Louis XV., made some amends by her persistent good nature andher love for art. The painter, the architect, the sculptor, and aboveall, the men of literature in France, were objects of her sincereadmiration, and her patronage of them was generous to profusion. Thepicture of her in the cabinet of the Intendant had been a work ofgratitude by the great artist who painted it, and was presented by herto Bigot as a mark of her friendship and demi-royal favor. The cabinetitself was furnished in a style of regal magnificence, which theIntendant carried into all details of his living.
The Chevalier de Pean, the Secretary and confidential friend of theIntendant, was writing at a table. He looked up now and then with acurious glance as the figure of his chief moved to and fro with quickturns across the room. But neither of them spoke.
Bigot would have been quite content with enriching himself and hisfriends, and turning out of doors the crowd of courtly sycophants whoclamored for the plunder of the Colony. He had sense to see that thecourse of policy in which he was embarked might eventually ruin NewFrance,--nay, having its origin in the Court, might undermine thewhole fabric of the monarchy. He consoled himself, however, with thereflection that it could not be helped. He formed but one link in thegreat chain of corruption, and one link could not stand alone: it couldonly move by following those which went before and dragging after itthose that came behind. Without debating a useless point of morals,Bigot quietly resigned himself to the service of his masters, or rathermistresses, after he had first served himself.
If the enormous plunder made out of the administration of the war bythe great monopoly he had established were suddenly to cease, Bigot feltthat his genius would be put to a severe test. But he had no misgivings,because he had no scruples. He was not the man to go under in any storm.He would light upon his feet, as he expressed it, if the world turnedupside down.
Bigot suddenly stopped in his walk. His mind had been dwelling uponthe great affairs of his Intendancy and the mad policy of the Court ofVersailles. A new thought struck him. He turned and looked fixedly athis Secretary.
"De Pean!" said he. "We have not a sure hold of the Chevalier deRepentigny! That young fellow plays fast and loose with us. One whodines with me at the palace and sups with the Philiberts at the Chiend'Or cannot be a safe partner in the Grand Company!"
"I have small confidence in him, either," replied De Pean. "Le Gardeurhas too many loose ends of respectability hanging about him to make hima sure hold for our game."
"Just so! Cadet, Varin, and the rest of you, have only half haltered theyoung colt. His training so far is no credit to you! The way that coolbully, Colonel Philibert, walked off with him out of Beaumanoir, was asublime specimen of impudence. Ha! Ha! The recollection of it has saltedmy meat ever since! It was admirably performed! although, egad, I shouldhave liked to run my sword through Philibert's ribs! and not one of youall was man enough to do it for me!"
"But your Excellency gave no hint, you seemed full of politeness towardsPhilibert," replied De Pean, with a tone that implied he would have doneit had Bigot given the hint.
"Zounds! as if I do not know it! But it was provoking to be flouted,so politely too, by that whelp of the Golden Dog! The influence of thatPhilibert is immense over young De Repentigny. They say he once pulledhim out of the water, and is, moreover, a suitor of the sister, acharming girl, De Pean! with no end of money, lands, and family power.She ought to be secured as well as her brother in the interests of theGrand Company. A good marriage with one of our party would secure her,and none of you dare propose, by God!"
"It is useless to think of proposing to her," replied De Pean. "I knowthe proud minx. She is one of the angelic ones who regard marriage as athing of Heaven's arrangement. She believes God never makes but oneman for one woman, and it is her duty to marry him or nobody. It iswhispered among the knowing girls who went to school with her at theConvent,--and the Convent girls do know everything, and somethingmore,--that she always cherished a secret affection for this Philibert,and that she will marry him some day."
"Marry Satan! Such a girl as that to marry a cursed Philibert!" Bigotwas really irritated at the information. "I think," said he, "women areever ready to sail in the ships of Tarshish, so long as the cargo isgold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks! It speaks ill for the boastedgallantry of the Grand Company if not one of them can win this girl. Ifwe could gain her over we should have no difficulty with the brother,and the point is to secure him."
"There is but one way I can see, your Excellency." De Pean did notappear to make his suggestion very cheerfully, but he was anxious toplease the Intendant.
"How is that?" the Intendant asked sharply. He had not the deepest senseof De Pean's wisdom.
"We must call in woman to fight woman in the interests of the Company,"replied the Secretary.
"A good scheme if one could be got to fight and win! But do you know anywoman who can lay her fingers on Le Gardeur de Repentigny and pull himout from among the Honnetes Gens?"
"I do, your Excellency. I know the very one can do it," replied De Peanconfidently.
"You do! Why do you hesitate then? Have you any arriere penseethat keeps you from telling her name at once?" asked the Intendantimpatiently.
"It is Mademoiselle des Meloises. She can do it, and no other woman inNew France need try!" replied De Pean.
"Why, she is a clipper, certainly! Bright eyes like hers rule the worldof fools--and of wise men, too," added Bigot in a parenthesis. "However,all the world is caught by that bird-lime. I confess I never made afool of myself but a woman was at the bottom of it. But for one who hastripped me up, I have taken sweet revenge on a thousand. If Le Gardeurbe entangled in Nerea's hair, he is safe in our toils. Do you thinkAngelique is at home, De Pean?"
The Intendant looked up at the clock. It was the usual hour for morningcalls in Quebec.
"Doubtless she is at home at this hour, your Excellency," repliedDe Pean. "But she likes her bed, as other pretty women do, and ispractising for the petite levee, like a duchess. I don't suppose she isup!"
"I don't know that," replied Bigot. "A greater runagate in petticoatsthere is not in the whole city! I never pass through the streets but Isee her."
"Ay, that is because she intends to meet your Excellency!" Bigot lookedsharply at De Pean. A new thought flashed in his eyes.
"What! think you she makes a point of it, De Pean?"
"I think she would not go out of the way of your Excellency." De Peanshuffled among his papers, but his slight agitation was noticed by theIntendant.
"Hum! is that your thought, De Pean? Looks she in this quarter?" Bigotmeditated with his hand on his chin for a moment or two. "You think sheis doubtless at home this morning?" added he.
"It was late when De Repentigny left her last night, and she wouldhave long and pleasant dreams after that visit, I warrant," replied theSecretary.
"How do you know? By St. Picot! You watch her closely, De Pean!"
"I do, your Excellency: I have reason," was the reply.
De Pean did not say what his reason for watching Angelique was; neitherdid Bigot ask. The Intendant cared not to pry into the personal mattersof his friends. He had himself too mu
ch to conceal not to respect thesecrets of his associates.
"Well, De Pean! I will wait on Mademoiselle des Meloises this morning.I will act on your suggestion, and trust I shall not find herunreasonable."
"I hope your Excellency will not find her unreasonable, but I know youwill, for if ever the devil of contradiction was in a woman he is inAngelique des Meloises!" replied De Pean savagely, as if he spoke fromsome experience of his own.
"Well, I will try to cast out that devil by the power of a stillstronger one. Ring for my horse, De Pean!"
The Secretary obeyed and ordered the horse. "Mind, De Pean!" continuedthe Intendant. "The Board of the Grand Company meet at three forbusiness! actual business! not a drop of wine upon the table, and allsober! not even Cadet shall come in if he shows one streak of the grapeon his broad face. There is a storm of peace coming over us, and it isnecessary to shorten sail, take soundings, and see where we are, or wemay strike on a rock."
The Intendant left the palace attended by a couple of equerries. He rodethrough the palace gate and into the city. Habitans and citizens bowedto him out of habitual respect for their superiors. Bigot returned theirsalutations with official brevity, but his dark face broke into sunshineas he passed ladies and citizens whom he knew as partners of the GrandCompany or partizans of his own faction.
As he rode rapidly through the streets many an ill wish followed him,until he dismounted before the mansion of the Des Meloises.
"As I live, it is the Royal Intendant himself," screamed Lizette, as sheran, out of breath, to inform her mistress, who was sitting alone in thesummer-house in the garden behind the mansion, a pretty spot tastefullylaid out with flower beds and statuary. A thick hedge of privet,cut into fantastic shapes by some disciple of the school of Lenotre,screened it from the slopes that ran up towards the green glacis of CapeDiamond.
Angelique looked beautiful as Hebe the golden-haired, as she sat in thearbor this morning. Her light morning dress of softest texture fell ingraceful folds about her exquisite form. She held a Book of Hours in herhand, but she had not once opened it since she sat down. Her dark eyeslooked not soft, nor kindly, but bright, defiant, wanton, and evenwicked in their expression, like the eyes of an Arab steed, whipped,spurred, and brought to a desperate leap--it may clear the wall beforeit, or may dash itself dead against the stones. Such was the temper ofAngelique this morning.
Hard thoughts and many respecting the Lady of Beaumanoir, fond almostsavage regret at her meditated rejection of De Repentigny, glitteringimages of the royal Intendant and of the splendors of Versailles, passedin rapid succession through her brain, forming a phantasmagoria in whichshe colored everything according to her own fancy. The words of her maidroused her in an instant.
"Admit the Intendant and show him into the garden, Lizette. Now!" saidshe, "I shall end my doubts about that lady! I will test the Intendant'ssincerity,--cold, calculating woman-slayer that he is! It shames me tocontrast his half-heartedness with the perfect adoration of my handsomeLe Gardeur de Repentigny!"
The Intendant entered the garden. Angelique, with that completeself-control which distinguishes a woman of half a heart or no heart atall, changed her whole demeanor in a moment from gravity to gayety.Her eyes flashed out pleasure, and her dimples went and came, as shewelcomed the Intendant to her arbor.
"A friend is never so welcome as when he comes of his own accord!"said she, presenting her hand to the Intendant, who took it withempressement. She made room for him on the seat beside her, dashing herskirts aside somewhat ostentatiously.
Bigot looked at her admiringly. He thought he had never seen, inpainting, statuary, or living form, a more beautiful and fascinatingwoman.
Angelique accepted his admiration as her due, feeling no thanks, butlooking many.
"The Chevalier Bigot does not lose his politeness, however long heabsents himself!" said she, with a glance like a Parthian arrow wellaimed to strike home.
"I have been hunting at Beaumanoir," replied he extenuatingly; "thatmust explain, not excuse, my apparent neglect." Bigot felt that he hadreally been a loser by his absence.
"Hunting! indeed!" Angelique affected a touch of surprise, as if shehad not known every tittle of gossip about the gay party and all theirdoings at the Chateau. "They say game is growing scarce near the city,Chevalier," continued she nonchalantly, "and that a hunting party atBeaumanoir is but a pretty menotomy for a party of pleasure is thattrue?"
"Quite true, mademoiselle," replied he, laughing. "The two things areperfectly compatible,--like a brace of lovers, all the better for beingmade one."
"Very gallantly said!" retorted she, with a ripple of dangerouslaughter. "I will carry the comparison no farther. Still, I wager,Chevalier, that the game is not worth the hunt."
"The play is always worth the candle, in my fancy," said he, with aglance of meaning; "but there is really good game yet in Beaumanoir,as you will confess, Mademoiselle, if you will honor our party some daywith your presence."
"Come now, Chevalier," replied she, fixing him mischievously with hereyes, "tell me, what game do you find in the forest of Beaumanoir?"
"Oh! rabbits, hares, and deer, with now and then a rough bear to try themettle of our chasseurs."
"What! no foxes to cheat foolish crows? no wolves to devour pretty RedRiding Hoods straying in the forest? Come, Chevalier, there is bettergame than all that," said she.
"Oh, yes!" he half surmised she was rallying him now--"plenty, but wedon't wind horns after them."
"They say," continued she, "there is much fairer game than bird or beastin the forest of Beaumanoir, Chevalier." She went on recklessly, "Straylambs are picked up by intendants sometimes, and carried tenderly to theChateau! The Intendant comprehends a gentleman's devoirs to our sex, Iam sure."
Bigot understood her now, and gave an angry start. Angelique did notshrink from the temper she had evoked.
"Heavens! how you look, Chevalier!" said she, in a tone of half banter."One would think I had accused you of murder instead of saving afair lady's life in the forest; although woman-killing is no murder Ibelieve, by the laws of gallantry, as read by gentlemen--of fashion."
Bigot rose up with a hasty gesture of impatience and sat down again.After all, he thought, what could this girl know about Caroline de St.Castin? He answered her with an appearance of frankness, deeming that tobe the best policy.
"Yes, Mademoiselle, I one day found a poor suffering woman in theforest. I took her to the Chateau, where she now is. Many ladies besideher have been to Beaumanoir. Many more will yet come and go, until Iend my bachelordom and place one there in perpetuity as 'mistress of myheart and home,' as the song says."
Angelique could coquette in half-meanings with any lady of honor atCourt. "Well, Chevalier, it will be your fault not to find one fit toplace there. They walk every street of the city. But they say this lostand found lady is a stranger?"
"To me she is--not to you, perhaps, Mademoiselle!"
The fine ear of Angelique detected the strain of hypocrisy in hisspeech. It touched a sensitive nerve. She spoke boldly now.
"Some say she is your wife, Chevalier Bigot!" Angelique gave vent to afeeling long pent-up. She who trifled with men's hearts every day wasindignant at the least symptom of repayment in kind. "They say she isyour wife or, if not your wife, she ought to be, Chevalier,--and willbe, perhaps, one of these fine days, when you have wearied of thedistressed damsels of the city."
It had been better for Bigot, better for Angelique, that these two couldhave frankly understood each other. Bigot, in his sudden admiration ofthe beauty of this girl, forgot that his object in coming to see herhad really been to promote a marriage, in the interests of the GrandCompany, between her and Le Gardeur. Her witcheries had been too potentfor the man of pleasure. He was himself caught in the net he spread foranother. The adroit bird-catching of Angelique was too much for him inthe beginning: Bigot's tact and consummate heartlessness with women,might be too much for her in the end. At the present moment he wasfairly d
azzled with her beauty, spirit, and seductiveness.
"I am a simple quail," thought he, "to be caught by her piping. ParDieu! I am going to make a fool of myself if I do not take care! Sucha woman as this I have not found between Paris and Naples. The man whogets her, and knows how to use her, might be Prime Minister of France.And to fancy it--I came here to pick this sweet chestnut out of the firefor Le Gardeur de Repentigny! Francois Bigot! as a man of gallantry andfashion I am ashamed of you!"
These were his thoughts, but in words he replied, "The lady ofBeaumanoir is not my wife, perhaps never will be." Angelique's eagerquestion fell on very unproductive ground.
Angelique repeated the word superciliously. "'Perhaps!' 'Perhaps' in themouth of a woman is consent half won; in the mouth of a man I know ithas a laxer meaning. Love has nothing to say to 'perhaps': it is will orshall, and takes no 'perhaps' though a thousand times repeated!
"And you intend to marry this treasure trove of the forest--perhaps?"continued Angelique, tapping the ground with a daintier foot than theIntendant had ever seen before.
"It depends much on you, Mademoiselle des Meloises," said he. "Had youbeen my treasure-trove, there had been no 'perhaps' about it." Bigotspoke bluntly, and to Angelique it sounded like sincerity. Her dreamswere accomplished. She trembled with the intensity of her gratification,and felt no repugnance at his familiar address.
The Intendant held out his hand as he uttered the dulcet flattery, andshe placed her hand in his, but it was cold and passionless. Her heartdid not send the blood leaping into her finger-ends as when they wereheld in the loving grasp of Le Gardeur.
"Angelique!" said he. It was the first time the Intendant had called herby her name. She started. It was the unlocking of his heart shethought, and she looked at him with a smile which she had practised withinfallible effect upon many a foolish admirer.
"Angelique, I have seen no woman like you, in New France or in Old; youare fit to adorn a Court, and I predict you will--if--if--"
"If what, Chevalier?" Her eyes fairly blazed with vanity and pleasure."Cannot one adorn Courts, at least French Courts, without if's?"
"You can, if you choose to do so," replied he, looking at heradmiringly; for her whole countenance flashed intense pleasure at hisremark.
"If I choose to do so? I do choose to do so! But who is to show me theway to the Court, Chevalier? It is a long and weary distance from NewFrance."
"I will show you the way, if you will permit me, Angelique: Versaillesis the only fitting theatre for the display of beauty and spirit likeyours."
Angelique thoroughly believed this, and for a few moments was dazzledand overpowered by the thought of the golden doors of her ambitionopened by the hand of the Intendant. A train of images, full-wingedand as gorgeous as birds of paradise, flashed across her vision. LaPompadour was getting old, men said, and the King was already castinghis eyes round the circle of more youthful beauties in his Court for asuccessor. "And what woman in the world," thought she, "could vie withAngelique des Meloises if she chose to enter the arena to supplant LaPompadour? Nay, more! If the prize of the King were her lot, she wouldoutdo La Maintenon herself, and end by sitting on the throne."
Angelique was not, however, a milkmaid to say yes before she was asked.She knew her value, and had a natural distrust of the Intendant'sgallant speeches. Moreover, the shadow of the lady of Beaumanoir wouldnot wholly disappear. "Why do you say such flattering things to me,Chevalier?" asked she. "One takes them for earnest coming from the RoyalIntendant. You should leave trifling to the idle young men of the city,who have no business to employ them but gallanting us women."
"Trifling! By St. Jeanne de Choisy, I was never more in earnest,Mademoiselle!" exclaimed Bigot. "I offer you the entire devotion ofmy heart." St. Jeanne de Choisy was the sobriquet in the petitsappartements for La Pompadour. Angelique knew it very well, althoughBigot thought she did not.
"Fair words are like flowers, Chevalier," replied she, "sweet to smelland pretty to look at; but love feeds on ripe fruit. Will you prove yourdevotion to me if I put it to the test?"
"Most willingly, Angelique!" Bigot thought she contemplated some idlefreak that might try his gallantry, perhaps his purse. But she was inearnest, if he was not.
"I ask, then, the Chevalier Bigot that before he speaks to me again oflove or devotion, he shall remove that lady, whoever she may be, fromBeaumanoir!" Angelique sat erect, and looked at him with a long, fixedlook, as she said this.
"Remove that lady from Beaumanoir!" exclaimed he in complete surprise;"surely that poor shadow does not prevent your accepting my devotion,Angelique?"
"Yes, but it does, Chevalier! I like bold men. Most women do, but I didnot think that even the Intendant of New France was bold enough tomake love to Angelique des Meloises while he kept a wife or mistress instately seclusion at Beaumanoir!"
Bigot cursed the shrewishness and innate jealousy of the sex, whichwould not content itself with just so much of a man's favor as he choseto bestow, but must ever want to rule single and alone. "Every woman isa despot," thought he, "and has no mercy upon pretenders to her throne."
"That lady," replied he, "is neither wife nor mistress, Mademoiselle:she sought the shelter of my roof with a claim upon the hospitality ofBeaumanoir.
"No doubt"--Angelique's nostril quivered with a fine disdain--"thehospitality of Beaumanoir is as broad and comprehensive as its master'sadmiration for our sex!" said she.
Bigot was not angry. He gave a loud laugh. "You women are merciless uponeach other, Mademoiselle!" said he.
"Men are more merciless to women when they beguile us with insincereprofessions," replied she, rising up in well-affected indignation.
"Not so, Mademoiselle!" Bigot began to feel annoyed. "That lady isnothing to me," said he, without rising as she had done. He kept hisseat.
"But she has been! you have loved her at some time or other! and she isnow living on the scraps and leavings of former affection. I am neverdeceived, Chevalier!" continued she, glancing down at him, a wild lightplaying under her long eyelashes like the illumined under-edge of athundercloud.
"But how in St. Picot's name did you arrive at all this knowledge,Mademoiselle?" Bigot began to see that there was nothing for it butto comply with every caprice of this incomprehensible girl if he wouldcarry his point.
"Oh, nothing is easier than for a woman to divine the truth in suchmatters, Chevalier," said she. "It is a sixth sense given to our sex toprotect our weakness: no man can make love to two women but each of themknows instinctively to her finger-tips that he is doing it."
"Surely woman is a beautiful book written in golden letters, but in atongue as hard to understand as hieroglyphics of Egypt." Bigot was quitepuzzled how to proceed with this incomprehensible girl.
"Thanks for the comparison, Chevalier," replied she, with a laugh. "Itwould not do for men to scrutinize us too closely, yet one woman readsanother easily as a horn-book of Troyes, which they say is so easy thatthe children read it without learning."
To boldly set at defiance a man who had boasted a long career of successwas the way to rouse his pride, and determine him to overcome herresistance. Angelique was not mistaken. Bigot saw her resolution, and,although it was with a mental reservation to deceive her, he promised tobanish Caroline from his chateau.
"It was always my good fortune to be conquered in every passage of armswith your sex, Angelique," said he, at once radiant and submissive. "Sitdown by me in token of amity."
She complied without hesitation, and sat down by him, gave him herhand again, and replied with an arch smile, while a thousand inimitablecoquetries played about her eyes and lips, "You speak now like an amantmagnifique, Chevalier!
"'Quelque fort qu'on s'en defende, Il y faut venir un jour!'"
"It is a bargain henceforth and forever, Angelique!" said he; "but I ama harder man than you imagine: I give nothing for nothing, and all foreverything. Will you consent to aid me and the Grand Company in a matterof importance?"
> "Will I not? What a question, Chevalier! Most willingly I will aid youin anything proper for a lady to do!" added she, with a touch of irony.
"I wish you to do it, right or wrong, proper or improper, althoughthere is no impropriety in it. Improper becomes proper if you do it,Mademoiselle!"
"Well, what is it, Chevalier,--this fearful test to prove my loyalty tothe Grand Company, and which makes you such a matchless flatterer?"
"Just this, Angelique!" replied he. "You have much influence with theSeigneur de Repentigny?"
Angelique colored up to the eyes. "With Le Gardeur! What of him? I cantake no part against the Seigneur de Repentigny;" said she, hastily.
"Against him? For him! We fear much that he is about to fall into thehands of the Honnetes Gens: you can prevent it if you will, Angelique?"
"I have an honest regard for the Seigneur de Repentigny!" said she, morein answer to her own feelings than to the Intendant's remark--her cheekflushed, her fingers twitched nervously at her fan, which she broke inher agitation and threw the pieces vehemently upon the ground. "I havedone harm enough to Le Gardeur I fear," continued she. "I had better notinterfere with him any more! Who knows what might result?" She looked upalmost warningly at the Intendant.
"I am glad to find you so sincere a friend to Le Gardeur," remarkedBigot, craftily. "You will be glad to learn that our intention is toelevate him to a high and lucrative office in the administration ofthe Company, unless the Honnetes Gens are before us in gaining fullpossession of him."
"They shall not be before us if I can prevent it, Chevalier," repliedshe, warmly. She was indeed grateful for the implied compliment toLe Gardeur. "No one will be better pleased at his good fortune thanmyself."
"I thought so. It was partly my business to tell you of our intentionstowards Le Gardeur."
"Indeed!" replied she, in a tone of pique. "I flattered myself yourvisit was all on my own account, Chevalier."
"So it was." Bigot felt himself on rather soft ground. "Your brother,the Chevalier des Meloises, has doubtless consulted you upon the plan oflife he has sketched out for both of you?"
"My good brother sketches so many plans of life that I really am notcertain I know the one you refer to." She guessed what was coming, andheld her breath hard until she heard the reply.
"Well, you of course know that his plan of life depends mainly upon analliance between yourself and the Chevalier de Repentigny."
She gave vent to her anger and disappointment. She rose up suddenly,and, grasping the Intendant's arm fiercely, turned him half round inher vehemence. "Chevalier Bigot! did you come here to propose for me onbehalf of Le Gardeur de Repentigny?"
"Pardon me, Mademoiselle; it is no proposal of mine,--on behalf of LeGardeur. I sanctioned his promotion. Your brother, and the Grand Companygenerally, would prefer the alliance. I don't!" He said this with atone of meaning which Angelique was acute enough to see implied Bigot'sunwillingness to her marrying any man--but himself, was the addendum sheat once placed to his credit. "I regret I mentioned it," continued he,blandly, "if it be contrary to your wishes."
"It is contrary to my wishes," replied she, relaxing her clutch of hisarm. "Le Gardeur de Repentigny can speak for himself. I will not alloweven my brother to suggest it; still less will I discuss such a subjectwith the Chevalier Bigot."
"I hope you will pardon me, Mademoiselle--I will not call you Angeliqueuntil you are pleased with me again. To be sure, I should never haveforgiven you had you conformed to your brother's wishes. It was what Ifeared might happen, and I--I wished to try you; that was all!"
"It is dangerous trying me, Chevalier," replied she, resuming her seatwith some heat. "Don't try me again, or I shall take Le Gardeur out ofpure SPITE," she said. Pure love was in her mind, but the other wordcame from her lips. "I will do all I can to rescue him from the HonnetesGens, but not by marrying him, Chevalier,--at present."
They seemed to understand each other fully. "It is over with now," saidBigot. "I swear to you, Angelique, I did not mean to offend you,--youcut deep."
"Pshaw!" retorted she, smiling. "Wounds by a lady are easily cured: theyseldom leave a mark behind, a month after."
"I don't know that. The slight repulse of a lady's finger--a touchthat would not crush a gnat--will sometimes kill a strong man like asword-stroke. I have known such things to happen," said Bigot.
"Well, happily, my touch has not hurt you, Chevalier. But, havingvindicated myself, I feel I owe you reparation. You speak of rescuing LeGardeur from the Honnetes Gens. In what way can I aid you?"
"In many ways and all ways. Withdraw him from them. The great festivalat the Philiberts--when is it to be?"
"To-morrow! See, they have honored me with a special invitation." Shedrew a note from her pocket. "This is very polite of Colonel Philibert,is it not?" said she.
Bigot glanced superciliously at the note. "Do you mean to go,Angelique?" asked he.
"No; although, had I no feelings but my own to consult, I wouldcertainly go."
"Whose feelings do you consult, Angelique," asked the Intendant, "if notyour own?"
"Oh, don't be flattered,--the Grand Company's! I am loyal to theassociation without respect to persons."
"So much the better," said he. "By the way, it would not be amiss tokeep Le Gardeur away from the festival. These Philiberts and the headsof the Honnetes Gens have great sway over him."
"Naturally; they are all his own kith and kin. But I will draw him away,if you desire it. I cannot prevent his going, but I can find meansto prevent his staying!" added she, with a smile of confidence in herpower.
"That will do, Angelique,--anything to make a breach between them!"
While there were abysses in Bigot's mind which Angelique could notfathom, as little did Bigot suspect that, when Angelique seemed toflatter him by yielding to his suggestions, she was following out acourse she had already decided upon in her own mind from the moment shehad learned that Cecile Tourangeau was to be at the festival of Belmont,with unlimited opportunities of explanation with Le Gardeur as to hertreatment by Angelique.
The Intendant, after some pleasant badinage, rose and took hisdeparture, leaving Angelique agitated, puzzled, and dissatisfied, on thewhole, with his visit. She reclined on the seat, resting her head on herhand for a long time,--in appearance the idlest, in reality the busiest,brain of any girl in the city of Quebec. She felt she had much to do,--agreat sacrifice to make,--but firmly resolved, at whatever cost, to gothrough with it; for, after all, the sacrifice was for herself, and notfor others.