Castin, and
you, lady, would rather die than endure that he should find you in
the Chateau of Beaumanoir. Ask me not how I know these things; you
will not deny their truth; as for myself, I pretend not to be other
than I seem."
"Your dress is that of a peasant-woman, but your language is not the
language of one. You are a lady in disguise visiting me in this
strange fashion!" said Caroline, puzzled more than ever. Her
thoughts at this instant reverted to the Intendant. "Why do you
come here in this secret manner?" asked she.
"I do not appear other than I am," replied La Corriveau evasively,
"and I come in this secret manner because I could get access to you
in no other way."
"You said that I had seen you before; I have no knowledge or
recollection of it," remarked Caroline, looking fixedly at her.
"Yes, you saw me once in the wood of St. Valier. Do you remember
the peasant-woman who was gathering mandrakes when you passed with
your Indian guides, and who gave you milk to refresh you on the
way?"
This seemed like a revelation to Caroline; she remembered the
incident and the woman.
Pages:
809
810
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819
820
821
822
823
824
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833