Before sitting down to their debauch, however,
they had discussed, with more regard to their peculiar interests
than to the principles of the Decalogue, the condition and prospects
of the Company.
The prospect was so little encouraging to the associates that they
were glad when the Intendant bade them cheer up and remember that
all was not lost that was in danger. "Philibert would yet undergo
the fate of Actaeon, and be torn in pieces by his own dog." Bigot,
as he said this, glanced from Le Gardeur to De Pean, with a look and
a smile which caused Cadet, who knew its meaning, to shrug his
shoulders and inquire of De Pean privately, "Is the trap set?"
"It is set!" replied De Pean in a whisper. "It will spring to-
morrow and catch our game, I hope."
"You must have a crowd and a row, mind! this thing, to be safe, must
be done openly," whispered Cadet in reply.
"We will have both a crowd and a row, never fear! The new preacher
of the Jesuits, who is fresh from Italy and knows nothing about our
plot, is to inveigh in the market against the Jansenists and the
Honnetes Gens.
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