"Alas! good
dame, you little know how lighter than thistledown floating on the
wind is my influence with the Intendant."
"You do yourself injustice, my Lady. Listen! I never saw a more
pitying glance fall from the eye of man than the Intendant cast upon
you one day when he saw you kneeling in your oratory unconscious of
his presence. His lips quivered, and a tear gathered under his
thick eyelashes as he silently withdrew. I heard him mutter a
blessing upon you, and curses upon La Pompadour for coming between
him and his heart's desire. I was a faithful servant and kept my
counsel. I could see, however, that the Intendant thought more of
the lovely lady of Beaumanoir than of all the ambitious demoiselles
of Quebec."
Caroline sprang up, and casting off the deep reserve she had
maintained, threw her arms round the neck of Dame Tremblay, and
half choked with emotion, exclaimed,--
"Is that true? good, dear friend of friends! Did the Chevalier
Bigot bless me, and curse La Pompadour for coming between him and
his heart's desire! His heart's desire! but you do not know--you
cannot guess what that means, dame?"
"As if I did not know a man's heart's desire! but I am a woman, and
can guess! I was not the Charming Josephine for nothing, good
Lady!" replied the dame, smiling, as the enraptured girl laid her
fair, smooth cheek upon that of the old housekeeper.
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