"Fanchon Dodier!" said she, "I have lost my jewels at the ball; I
cannot rest until I find them; you are quicker-witted than Lizette:
tell me what to do to find them, and I will give you a dress fit for
a lady."
Angelique with innate craft knew that her question would bring forth
the hoped-for reply.
Fanchon's eyes dilated with pleasure at such a mark of confidence.
"Yes, my Lady," replied she, "if I had lost my jewels I should know
what to do. But ladies who can read and write and who have the
wisest gentlemen to give them counsel do not need to seek advice
where poor habitan girls go when in trouble and perplexity."
"And where is that, Fanchon? Where would you go if in trouble and
perplexity?"
"My Lady, if I had lost all my jewels,"--Fanchon's keen eye noticed
that Angelique had lost none of hers, but she made no remark on it,--
"if I had lost all mine, I should go see my aunt Josephte Dodier.
She is the wisest woman in all St. Valier; if she cannot tell you
all you wish to know, nobody can."
"What! Dame Josephte Dodier, whom they call La Corriveau? Is she
your aunt?"
Angelique knew very well she was.
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