Louis, if
His Excellency and the other gentlemen would honor him with their
company.
The Council, out of respect to the Intendant, rose at once. The
despatches were shoved back to the secretaries, and for the present
forgotten in a buzz of lively conversation, in which no man shone to
greater advantage than Bigot.
"It is but a fast-day, your Reverence," said he, accosting the Abbe
Piquot, "but if you will come and say grace over my graceless table,
I will take it kindly of you. You owe me a visit, you know, and I
owe you thanks for the way in which you looked reproof, without
speaking it, upon my dispute with the Chevalier La Corne. It was
better than words, and showed that you know the world we live in as
well as the world you teach us to live for hereafter."
The Abbe was charmed with the affability of Bigot, and nourishing
some hope of enlisting him heartily in behalf of his favorite scheme
of Indian policy, left the Castle in his company. The Intendant
also invited the Procureur du Roi and the other gentlemen of the
law, who found it both politic, profitable, and pleasant to dine at
the bountiful and splendid table of the Palace.
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