I
have not erred in choosing him."
Bigot watched this by-play with intense interest. He saw that Le
Gardeur was a two-edged weapon just as likely to cut his friends as
his enemies, unless skilfully held in hand, and blinded as to when
and whom he should strike.
"Come, Le Gardeur, put up your sword!" exclaimed Bigot, coaxingly;
"we have better game to bring down to-night than the Golden Dog.
Hark! They are coming! Open wide the doors, and let the blessed
peacemakers enter!"
"The peacemakers!" ejaculated Cadet; "the cause of every quarrel
among men since the creation of the world! What made you send for
the women, Bigot?"
"Oh, not to say their prayers, you may be sure, old misogynist, but
this being a gala-night at the Palace, the girls and fiddlers were
ordered up by De Pean, and we will see you dance fandangoes with
them until morning, Cadet."
"No you won't! Damn the women! I wish you had kept them away, that
is all. It spoils my fun, Bigot!"
"But it helps the Company's! Here they come!"
Their appearance at the door caused a hubbub of excitement among the
gentlemen, who hurried forward to salute a dozen or more women
dressed in the extreme of fashion, who came forward with plentiful
lack of modesty, and a superabundance of gaiety and laughter.
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