So says the Intendant,
and so say I!," replied the gay valet. "Why, look you, Dame
Tremblay!" continued he, extending his well-ringed fingers, "they do
give gentlemen no end of hopes here! We have only to stretch out
our ten digits and a ladybird will light on every one of them! It
was so at Versailles--it is just so here. The ladies in Quebec do
know how to appreciate a real gentleman!"
"Yes, that is what makes the ladies of Ville Marie so jealous and
angry," replied the dame; "the King's officers and all the great
catches land at Quebec first, when they come out from France, and we
take toll of them! We don't let a gentleman of them get up to Ville
Marie without a Quebec engagement tacked to his back, so that all
Ville Marie can read it, and die of pure spite! I say we, Froumois;
but you understand I speak of myself only as the Charming Josephine
of Lake Beauport. I must content myself now with telling over my
past glories."
"Well dame, I don't know but you are glorious yet! But tell me,
what has got over my master to-day? Was the unknown lady unkind?
Something has angered him, I am sure!"
"I cannot tell you, Froumois: women's moods are not to be explained,
even by themselves.
Pages:
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307