His one glass of wine was soon followed by another. He was pressed
with such cordiality that he could not refuse. The fire was
rekindled, at first with a faint glow upon his cheek and a sparkle
in his eye; but the table soon overflowed with wine, mirth, and
laughter. He drank without reflection, and soon spoke with warmth
and looseness from all restraint.
De Pean, resolved to excite Le Gardeur to the utmost, would not
cease alluding to Angelique. He recurred again and again to the
splendor of her charms and the fascination of her ways. He watched
the effect of his speech upon the countenance of Le Gardeur, keenly
observant of every expression of interest excited by the mention of
her.
"We will drink to her bright eyes," exclaimed De Pean, filling his
glass until it ran over, "first in beauty and worthy to be first in
place in New France--yea, or Old France either! and he is a heathen
who will not drink this toast!"
"Le Gardeur will not drink it! Neither would I, in his place,"
replied Emeric de Lantagnac, too drunk now to mind what he said.
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