"You have no right to ask that! Neither shall you,
Count de La Galissoniere! But I will myself answer the despatch of
Madame la Marquise de Pompadour! I know no more, perhaps less, than
yourself or the Chevalier La Corne St. Luc, where to look for the
daughter of the Baron de St. Castin; and I proclaim here that I am
ready to cross swords with the first gentleman who shall dare
breathe a syllable of doubt against the word of Francois Bigot!"
Varin and Penisault exchanged a rapid glance, partly of doubt,
partly of surprise. They knew well, for Bigot had not concealed
from his intimate associates the fact that a strange lady, whose
name they had not heard, was living in the secret chambers of the
Chateau of Beaumanoir. Bigot never told any who she was or whence
she came. Whatever suspicion they might entertain in their own
minds, they were too wary to express it. On the contrary, Varin,
ever more ready with a lie than Bigot, confirmed with a loud oath
the statement of the Intendant.
La Corne St. Luc looked like a baffled lion as Rigaud de Vaudreuil,
with the familiarity of an old friend, laid his hand over his mouth,
and would not let him speak.
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