The Governor, charmed with the beauty and
agreeableness of the young chatelaine, had led her in to dinner, and
devoted himself to her and the Lady de Tilly with the perfection of
gallantry of a gentleman of the politest court in Europe. On his
left sat the radiant, dark-eyed Hortense de Beauharnais. With a gay
assumption of independence Hortense had taken the arm of La Corne
St. Luc, and declared she would eat no dinner unless he would be her
cavalier and sit beside her! The gallant old soldier surrendered at
discretion. He laughingly consented to be her captive, he said, for
he had no power and no desire but to obey. Hortense was proud of
her conquest. She seated herself by his side with an air of triumph
and mock gravity, tapping him with her fan whenever she detected his
eye roving round the table, compassionating, she affirmed, her
rivals, who had failed where she had won in securing the youngest,
the handsomest, and most gallant of all the gentlemen at Belmont.
"Not so fast, Hortense!" exclaimed the gay Chevalier; "you have
captured me by mistake! The tall Swede--he is your man! The other
ladies all know that, and are anxious to get me out of your toils,
so that you may be free to ensnare the philosopher!"
"But you don't wish to get away from me! I am your garland,
Chevalier, and you shall wear me to-day.
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