"
La Corriveau rose up now, well satisfied with her foresight and
preparation. She placed the ebony casket carefully in her bosom,
cherishing it like an only child, as she walked out of the room with
her quiet, tiger-like tread. Her look into the future was pleasant
to her at this moment. There was the prospect of an ample reward
for her trouble and risk, and the anticipated pleasure of practising
her skill upon one whose position she regarded as similar to that of
the great dames of the Court, whom Exili and La Voisin had poisoned
during the high carnival of death, in the days of Louis XIV.
She was now ready, and waited impatiently to depart.
The goodman Dodier brought the caleche to the door. It was a
substantial, two-wheeled vehicle, with a curious arrangement of
springs, made out of the elastic wood of the hickory. The horse,
a stout Norman pony, well harnessed, sleek and glossy, was lightly
held by the hand of the goodman, who patted it kindly as an old
friend; and the pony, in some sort, after an equine fashion,
returned the affection of its master.
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