He
resolved to bring this beautiful but exacting girl wholly under his
power. He comprehended fully that Angelique was prepared to accept
his hand at any moment, nay, almost demanded it; but the price of
marriage was what Bigot would not, dared not pay, and as a true
courtier of the period he believed thoroughly in his ability to
beguile any woman he chose, and cheat her of the price she set upon
her love.
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE BALL AT THE INTENDANT'S PALACE.
The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters. The
wily girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted
time to the music, while they responded with ready glee to the
gossiping of the gay Intendant.
Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for
suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend
Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had
become affianced to his cousin, Heloise de Lotbiniere? There was a
start of surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the
ladies, some of whom protested that it could not be true, for they
knew better in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed.
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