"
"I grieve much, and sympathize with your Excellency's indignation,"
replied the Governor warmly; "I rejoice you have escaped unhurt. I
despatched the troops to your assistance, but have not yet learned
the cause of the riot."
"The cause of the riot was the popular hatred of myself for
enforcing the royal ordinances, and the seditious example set the
rabble by the notorious merchant, Philibert, who is at the bottom
of all mischief in New France."
The Governor looked fixedly at the Intendant, as he replied
quietly,--"The Sieur Philibert, although a merchant, is a gentleman
of birth and loyal principles, and would be the last man alive, I
think, to excite a riot. Did you see the Bourgeois, Chevalier?"
"The crowd filled the street near his magazines, cheering for the
Bourgeois and the Golden Dog. We rode up and endeavored to force
our way through. But I did not see the Bourgeois himself until the
disturbance had attained its full proportions."
"And then, your Excellency? Surely the Bourgeois was not
encouraging the mob, or participating in the riot?"
"No! I do not charge him with participating in the riot, although
the mob were all his friends and partisans.
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