"Your Excellency overrates my ability in that quarter, and if I were
permitted to choose--"
"Another and a fairer maid would be your choice. I see, De Pean,
you are a connoisseur in women. Be it as you wish! Manage this
business of Philibert discreetly, and I will coin the Golden Dog
into doubloons for a marriage portion for Angelique des Meloises.
You understand me now?"
De Pean started. He hardly guessed yet what was required of him,
but he cared not in the dazzling prospect of such a wife and fortune
as were thus held out to him.
"Your Excellency will really support my suit with Angelique?" De
Pean seemed to mistrust the possibility of such a piece of
disinterestedness on the part of the Intendant.
"I will not only commend your suit, but I will give away the bride,
and Madame de Pean shall not miss any favor from me which she has
deserved as Angelique des Meloises," was Bigot's reply, without
changing a muscle of his face.
"And your Excellency will give her to me?" De Pean could hardly
believe his ears.
"Assuredly you shall have her if you like," cried Bigot, "and with a
dowry such as has not been seen in New France!"
"But who would like to have her at any price?" muttered Cadet to
himself, with a quiet smile of contempt,--Cadet thought De Pean a
fool for jumping at a hook baited with a woman; but he knew what the
Intendant was driving at, and admired the skill with which he angled
for De Pean.
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