"
Angelique knew her brother's genius was not penetrating, or she
would scarcely have ventured this broad allusion to the brother of
La Pompadour, who, by virtue of his relationship to the Court
favorite, had recently been created Director of the Royal Gardens.
What fancy was working in the brain of Angelique when she alluded to
him may be only surmised.
The Chevalier was indignant, however, at an implied comparison
between himself and the plebeian Marquis de Vandriere. He replied,
with some heat,--
"The Marquis de Vandriere! How dare you mention him and me
together! There's not an officer's mess in the army that receives
the son of the fishmonger! Why do you mention him, Angelique? You
are a perfect riddle!"
"I only thought something might happen, brother, if I should ever go
to Paris! I was acting a charade in my fancy, and that was the
solution of it!"
"What was? You would drive the whole Sorbonne mad with your
charades and fancies! But I must leave you."
"Good-by, brother,--if you will go. Think of it!--if you want to
rise in the world you may yet become a royal gardener like the
Marquis de Vandriere!" Her silvery laugh rang out good-humoredly as
he descended the stairs and passed out of the house.
Pages:
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399