"Well, dame," replied Bigot, "you may retire to your own room. I
will go down to the secret chamber myself. These vigils are killing
her, poor girl! If your lady should be missing in the morning,
remember, dame, that you make no remark of it; she is going away to-
night with me and the Sieur Cadet and will return soon again; so be
discreet and keep your tongue well between your teeth, which, I am
glad to observe," remarked he with a smile, "are still sound and
white as ivory."
Bigot wished by such flattery to secure her fidelity, and he fully
succeeded. The compliment to her teeth was more agreeable than
would have been a purse of money. It caught the dame with a hook
there was no escape from.
Dame Tremblay courtesied very low, and smiled very broadly to show
her really good teeth, of which she was extravagantly vain. She
assured the Intendant of her perfect discretion and obedience to all
his commands.
"Trust to me, your Excellency," said she with a profound courtesy.
"I never deceived a gentleman yet, except the Sieur Tremblay, and
he, good man, was none! When I was the Charming Josephine, and all
the gay gallants of the city used to flatter and spoil me, I never
deceived one of them, never! I knew that all is vanity in this
world, but my eyes and teeth were considered very fine in those
days, your Excellency.
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