I discovered the
Intendant and his friends by ear long before I got sight of them."
An equivocal smile accompanied Philibert's words, which the Governor
rightly interpreted.
"Ah! I understand, Philibert; they were carousing at that hour of
daylight? Were they all--? Faugh! I shame to speak the word. Was
the Intendant in a condition to comprehend my summons?" The
Governor looked sad, rather than surprised or angry, for he had
expected no less than Philibert had reported to him.
"I found him less intoxicated, I think, than many of his guests. He
received your message with more politeness than I expected, and
promised to be here punctually at the hour for opening the Council."
"Oh, Bigot never lacks politeness, drunk or sober: that strong
intellect of his seems to defy the power of wine, as his heart is
proof against moral feeling. You did not prolong your stay in
Beaumanoir, I fancy?" remarked the Governor, dinting the point of
his cane into the floor.
"I hastened out of it as I would out of hell itself! After making
prize of my friend De Repentigny and bringing him off with me, as I
mentioned to you, I got quickly out of the Chateau.
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