"I overheard them speaking together, my Lady. The Chevalier de Pean
said that the Intendant was sick, and would see no one this
morning."
"Yes, what then?" Angelique was struck with a sudden consciousness
of danger in the wind. "Are you sure they said the Intendant was
sick?" asked she.
"Yes, my Lady! and the Chevalier de Pean said that he was less sick
than mad, and out of humor to a degree he had never seen him
before!"
"Did they give a reason for it? that is, for the Intendant's
sickness or madness?" Angelique's eyes were fixed keenly upon her
maid, to draw out a full confession.
"None, my Lady, only the Chevalier des Meloises said he supposed it
was the news from France which sat so ill on his stomach."
"And what then, Fanchon? you are so long of answering!" Angelique
stamped her foot with impatience.
Fanchon looked up at the reproof so little merited, and replied
quickly, "The Chevalier de Pean said it must be that, for he knew of
nothing else. The gentlemen then went out and I heard no more."
Angelique was relieved by this turn of conversation.
Pages:
878
879
880
881
882
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902