CHAPTER XVI
AT BEAULIEU
Gabriel altered his course with the satisfaction of a man confirmedin his superior judgment. "'II y a remede a tout, fors a la mort,'madame, and this has come at the last hour," he cried, in greatsatisfaction. "I suppose le pere Jean would say you were going toLouisbourg all the time, only it would look to an ordinary sinnerlike a precious long way round," and he chuckled at his jest as hebustled about, filling every one with somewhat of his brimmingcontent.
Favoured by the tide and a strong wind, we made a good run duringthe night, and when we awoke we were again coasting along thepeaceful reaches of the South Shore with its frequent settlementsand clearings--a pleasant change after the wilderness of the North.
Early in the afternoon, Gabriel pointed to a long point stretchingout into the river.
"That is the Beacon Point of Beaulieu, madame. A beacon is piledthere, ready for firing, winter and summer. The entrance to theriver is just on this side, and on the other is the great bay wherethe porpoise fishery takes place. The manor cannot be seen fromthe river; it is safe and snug from the storms, a little inland."
Before long we entered the mouth of the little river, to the rightof which stretched a broad expanse of tidal meadow, dotted withsmall platforms, each supporting its load of coarse salt hay, safeabove the reach of the highest tides; to the left was the densepine wood covering the Beacon Point. Fields and woods wore thesombre colours, the browns and purples of autumn, though here andthere a sturdy maple still hung out its banner of yellow or red,lighting up the dark greens of the unchanging pines. As we advanced,the windings of the river disclosed stretches of bare meadow andempty fields, for the harvest had long been gathered. The wholewas set in a background of low, purple hills. But soon we caughta new interest, as a windmill, and then a long wooden house, havinga high-pitched roof, broken by a row of pointed dormer-windows,with a detached tower at each end, came into view.
"There, madame, that is the manor!" Gabriel announced with evidentpride, to which I made suitable return, for despite its humbleform, like a substantial farm-house, its great length and the twotowers gave to it an appearance which removed it out of the common.
Our boat was made fast to a little landing-place, and we disembarked;but, to my surprise, no one appeared to welcome or to question us.Gabriel led the way up to the house through a garden, which musthave been a model of neatness in summer-time, but was now strippedand blackened by the early frosts. Though the door of the housestood hospitably open to us, no answer came to our echoing knock.
Going round to the back proved equally fruitless, but I espied twowomen working in a field at a short distance, and, bidding Gabrielawait me, I took my way towards them. I found them engaged withspade and fork digging up reddish-looking roots, which they piledin little heaps.
"I bring letters to Mme. de Sarennes," I said, addressing theyounger woman, who seemed confused, but whose face I could barelysee for the great bonnet which covered her head like a cowl, "butI find no one in the house. Can you tell me what to do?"
"If madame will return and find a seat in the house, I shall bringsome one," she answered, prettily enough, and, dropping her fork,she ran towards the house.
"What are those things you are digging up?" I asked the elder woman.
"Potatoes, madame."
"But do the people eat them?" I inquired, for I knew they were notused in France.
"'Only the Bostonnais and cattle,' we used to say, madame, but nowthe Intendant has ordered them to be planted and eaten by all."
"And they will obey?"
"'Le miel n'est pas pour les anes,' madame; those who do not, willgo hungry," she answered, laughing.
I was interested in the news, as well as in the calm philosophywith which the innovation was accepted, and after a few morequestions I returned to the front of the house.
The room into which the entrance gave--for it was more of a roomthan a hall--was large and low, with a ceiling painted white,supported by heavy beams; it was carpeted and furnished with muchcomfort--much more than one would find in a similar house eitherin Scotland or France.
In a short time a young lady entered, her dark olive face well setoff by her brown hair, becomingly though simply dressed, with alight girlish figure showing to advantage in her flowered gown.
"I am Mlle. de Sarennes, madame, and I regret that you should havebeen kept waiting." She began gravely enough, but catching somewonderment in my face, she continued, laughing merrily: "Oh, 'tisof no use; I can never masquerade! I am Queen of the Fields, madame,and you surprised me a moment ago, sceptre in hand," whereupon shemade me a grand courtesy, nearly sinking to the floor.
"And I am Mme. de St. Just," I answered, joining in her girlishfun, "a poor rescued prisoner seeking for shelter; and this is mywaiting-woman and very good friend, Lucy Routh. I come to you withletters from M. de Montcalm, trusting our presence may not provea burthen to you."
"But here is my mother," said the young girl, quickly. "Not a wordto her of how you discovered me; she will never acknowledge thatsuch a thing as field-work is necessary, though there is not a manleft to share it, except myself. We hide it from her as we woulda sin."
At the words a gray-haired lady supporting herself on a cane entered.In a few moments all explanations were made, and I received fromher a welcome scarcely less warm than that of her daughter, butwith the difference, that it was only given after she had carefullyread the letter of the Marquis de Montcalm and its enclosure.
"Your own presence would command my hospitality in any case, madame;but these letters, and especially that of le pere Jean, change aduty into a pleasure; it is much to have gained the friendship ofsuch a man. I fear, though, you will have to put up with our poorcompany for some time, as my son has but left for his post inAcadie, and I do not look for his return until the snows come; butwe will do all we can to make you happy until such time as you canleave to join your friends."
"These letters change a duty into a pleasure."]
Nothing could be more charming than her address, even though itbore a trace of condescendence; but that was merely the reflectionof an older school of manners, to which I had been well accustomedin Lady Jane.
As soon as we had settled these matters, I agreed with Gabriel thathe should go on to Quebec, there to obtain some necessaries ofwhich I stood in much need, as did poor Lucy.
"You do not expect to find shops there, surely!" laughed mademoiselle."But my friend Mme, de Lanaudiere will gladly undertake the buyingof the material, and we will make such shift for the fitting as ispossible here."
So we were installed as guests, and on the morrow Gabriel wasdespatched on his important errand; before he returned we had takenour places as members of the little household.
Mlle. de Sarennes--Angelique, as she insisted on my calling her--wouldnot consent to my helping in the fields, so Lucy and I took chargein the house, where Lucy did marvels in the kitchen, even toeliciting approbation from Mme. de Sarennes, which Angelique assuredus was praise indeed, for her mother was a housekeeper of the schoolwhich did not acknowledge that excellence of performance calledfor anything beyond a refraining from criticism. How could I beother than content? I was surrounded by a daily round of interest,almost of affection, and, most precious of all, by a gentle courtesywhich accepted me as a guest without question or curiosity as tomy past. Le pere Jean had answered for me, and that was enough.
When Gabriel returned I paid him for his services, though it wasonly when I had assured the honest fellow I was amply able to doso that he consented to receive anything from me. When he wasleaving me he charged me with great earnestness:
"Madame, should you need me at any time, either by day or night,all you have to do is to light the beacon. If by night, let itburn brightly; if by day, do as you saw le pere Jean, and go onrepeating it, until you see the answering smoke from the Island,or my sail."
"But, my good Gabriel, I am not likely to trouble you, as when Igo from here it will be by land, an
d in a different direction."
"'Qui dit averti, dit muni,' madame; no one can tell what mayhappen, and it may do no harm to know you have one near at handwho would be proud if you called on him for help."
I was greatly touched by his thoughtfulness, a frank offer comingdirect from the heart of a brave man to a woman whom he fears maysome day be in need of his service.
"Gabriel, is every one kind in Canada? I do not know why I shouldmeet with such care."
"We are all saints, no doubt, madame; but that is not the reason!"he returned, gaily, and set off for his boat.
After his departure our life together went on without interruption.By the end of November the whole country was covered with snow,which we hailed with delight, for it meant the speedy arrival ofM. de Sarennes, and then--Louisbourg! I had often seen snow as achild at home in Scotland, but there it meant storm and desolation,and, alas! only too frequently suffering and death to man and beast;while here it came as a beauty and a blessing, welcomed by all.Angelique took us over miles of snow-covered fields and throughwoods that had a charm of softness unknown in summer-time, untilwe could manage our snow-shoes without mishap.
"You must harden your muscles and exercise your lungs for thejourney you have before you," she declared, "and not shame mytraining when you take the high-road with Charles."
Like her mother, she was never tired of talking of M. de Sarennes.He was their only pride, and never was son or brother more preciousthan was their Charles to them, so I looked forward with keensatisfaction to the day I should start under his care.
They hoped for him by the New-Year, and we all busied ourselves inpreparation for the little feast which we agreed should be delayed,if necessary, to welcome his return.
On the last night of the year we sate together about the fire,Angelique laughing and chattering incessantly; her mother sittingwith her spinning-wheel, her wedding-gift from the Marquis deBeauharnois--a dainty construction of mahogany tipped with ivoryand silver--whirring peacefully, as with skilful fingers she guidedthe fine flax from her spindle; Lucy at a little distance knittingmethodically; and I expectant, excited by Angelique's unrest.
"Ah, Marguerite, what a shame Charles must tack on that odious'madame,' every time he addresses you!" exclaimed Angelique, merrily."Had I my way, I'd banish the 'madame,' as I would banish everyone who has a claim on you, and keep you all for our very own. Whatnonsense! to have other people in the world when we want you somuch! Stay with us! I'll marry you myself; I'm sure I'm worth allthe men in the world put together!"
"Be sensible, my daughter! be sensible," interrupted Mme. deSarennes, in her unruffled voice. "I cannot think how you find suchnonsense amusing."
"Now, maman, be fair! Do you know any man in the whole world, exceptCharles, you like better than me? There! There! I told you! And mymother has the very best taste in the world--eh, 'Mademoiselle'Marguerite?" And the madcap jumped up, and running over to hermother, embraced her in spite of her remonstrances.
In the midst of this turmoil a soft knock was heard, and we allsprang to our feet.
"Come in! Come in!" called Angelique, running to the door; but itopened before she could reach it, and there, in the bright light,stood an Indian holding his snow-shoes in his hand.
As soon as I saw him I could not repress a cry of terror, for hewas the very chief from whom le pere Jean had rescued me.
"Do not be alarmed, Marguerite. He is Luntook, my son's man. Healways brings word of my son's return."
The Indian explained to Angelique, in his broken French, that hismaster had but sent him to announce his coming, and paid not theslightest attention either to Lucy or myself. As soon as he hadanswered Angelique's eager questionings, he took himself off again,and we began our preparations.
"He will be here in an hour!" sang Angelique, as she danced aboutthe room like a mad thing. Fresh wood was piled on the fire; thetable was set with the best linen and silver, and loaded with everydelicacy we had prepared; candles were placed in each window, ofwhich the heavy wooden shutters were thrown back, and soon thewhole house was a blaze of light.
Into all this entered the long-expected guest, who, after tenderlyembracing his mother, was caught in a whirl of kisses and questioningsshowered on him by Angelique. Suddenly she released him, crying:"But stop, Charles! you make me forget myself. Here is Mme. de St.Just, for whose sake, most of all, we have been waiting for you."
While I acknowledged his salutation, Angelique rattled on: "Shehas waited for you all this time to take her to Louisbourg, sheand her waiting-woman. Where is Lucie? Oh, she has gone--frightenedby the Indian, no doubt. She--I mean Marguerite--is so glad youhave come. When do you go back?"
"Not to-night, at all events, ma belle. I'm sure even madame wouldnot ask that. In any case not until I've tasted some of these goodthings. We can boast no such table at Mire."
With much laughter we gradually settled down. When M. de Sarenneshad doffed his outer wrappings and appeared in a close-fitting suitof some dark blue stuff, I thought I had seldom seen a handsomertype of man, and did not wonder at the pride his womenkind displayed.He was very tall, had a dark olive face like his sister, greatflashing eyes, and black hair that rolled handsomely off hiswell-shaped forehead; and I could easily imagine that more usualclothing would transform him into a prince among his fellows.
Before taking his place at table he left us for a little to seeafter his men, who were provided for in the kitchen. When hereturned, he said:
"Luntook, my Indian, tells me that it was he who carried you off,madame. He had taken you for English women, and even now can scarcebe persuaded he was mistaken, though he gave you up to le pereJean."
"We are English women, monsieur."
"And you would go to Louisbourg?" he asked, I thought sharply, witha flash of his great eyes.
"Yes, monsieur," I said, quietly.
But he said nothing further, beyond assuring me that the Indianwas thoroughly trustworthy, and I need be in no fear of him.
Thereupon we sate down to table, and as her brother ate, Angeliquerelated to him our story, or, rather, a merry burlesque of ouradventures, at which he laughed heartily.
"Well, madame, I have news for your waiting-woman, at least; thoughwhy she should run away when she must be dying to hear it, is morethan I can imagine. Tell her that her son arrived safely atLouisbourg, where he was soon a hot favourite with every one inthe garrison, and most of all with the Chevalier de Maxwell." Herehe paused to raise his glass, looking hard at me the while. To mydistress, the tell-tale blood leaped to my face at the unexpectedmention of that dear name. "Being a stirring lad and much attachedto me," he continued, without apparently noticing my confusion,"he begged to be allowed to join me on an expedition. We weresurprised by the English, and he was slightly wounded--oh, nothing,I assure you, madame, a mere scratch!--and carried off a prisoner,but no doubt is even now as great a favourite with them as he waswith us. Should they come to look us up in the spring, I doubt nothe will be found in their ranks. At all events, he is with hisfriends, and is safe."
So rejoiced was I to hear this news for Lucy's sake, that I excusedmyself and withdrew to my room, where I found the dear, patientsoul on her knees, awaiting whatever tidings I might bring.
"Oh, my dear mistress," she said, quietly, when I had told her all,"I have prayed and hoped, but at times my poor faith would almostfail me; and even now, when trembling at what I might have to bear,His message comes, that all is well with the child."