The picture of her in the cabinet of the
Intendant had been a work of gratitude by the great artist who
painted it, and was presented by her to Bigot as a mark of her
friendship and demi-royal favor. The cabinet itself was furnished
in a style of regal magnificence, which the Intendant carried into
all details of his living.
The Chevalier de Pean, the Secretary and confidential friend of the
Intendant, was writing at a table. He looked up now and then with a
curious glance as the figure of his chief moved to and fro with
quick turns across the room. But neither of them spoke.
Bigot would have been quite content with enriching himself and his
friends, and turning out of doors the crowd of courtly sycophants
who clamored for the plunder of the Colony. He had sense to see
that the course of policy in which he was embarked might eventually
ruin New France,--nay, having its origin in the Court, might
undermine the whole fabric of the monarchy. He consoled himself,
however, with the reflection that it could not be helped. He formed
but one link in the great chain of corruption, and one link could
not stand alone: it could only move by following those which went
before and dragging after it those that came behind.
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