o the citadel dungeon, and
I knew from what Alixe had told me, and from the gossip of the soldiers,
that there was a more open show of disagreement now.

The Governor, seeing how ill it was to be at variance with both Montcalm
and Bigot, presently began to covet a reconciliation with the latter. To
this Bigot was by no means averse, for his own position had danger.
His followers and confederates, Cournal, Marin, Cadet, and Rigaud, were
robbing the King with a daring and effrontery which must ultimately
bring disaster. This he knew, but it was his plan to hold on for a time
longer, and then to retire before the axe fell, with an immense fortune.
Therefore, about the time set for my execution, he began to close
with the overtures of the Governor, and presently the two formed a
confederacy against the Marquis de Montcalm. Into it they tried to
draw Doltaire, and were surprised to find that he stood them off as to
anything more than outward show of friendliness.

Truth was, Doltaire, who had no sordid feeling in him, loathed alike the
cupidity of Bigot and the incompetency of the Governor, and respected
Montcalm for his honour, and reproached him for his rashness. From first
to last, he was, without show of it, the best friend Montcalm had in the
province; and though he held aloof from bringing punishment to Bigot,
he despised him and his friends, and was not slow to make that plain.
D'Argenson made inquiry of Doltaire when Montcalm's honest criticisms
were sent to France in cipher, and Doltaire returned the reply that
Bigot was the only man who could serve Canada efficiently in this
crisis; that he had abounding fertility of resource, a clear head, a
strong will, and great administrative faculty. This was all he would
say, save that when the war was over other matters might be conned.
Meanwhile France must pay liberally for the Intendant's services.

Through a friend in France, Bigot came to know that his affairs were
moving to a crisis, and saw that it would be wise to retire; but he
loved the very air of crisis, and Madame Cournal, anxious to keep him in
Canada, encouraged him in his natural feeling to stand or fall with
the colony. He never showed aught but a hold and confident face to
the public, and was in all regards the most conspicuous figure in New
France. When, two years before, Montcalm took Oswego from the English,
Bigot threw open his palace to the populace for two days' feasting, and
every night during the