one who could avail herself of the
gallant attentions of the Sieur La Force.

In truth Louise Roy was somewhat piqued at the Sieur La Force, and to
punish him made herself as heavy as her slight figure would admit of.
She stood perched up as long as she could, and actually enjoyed the
tremor which she felt plainly enough in his hand as he continued to
support her, and was quite disposed to test how long he could or would
hold her up, while she conversed in whispers with Angelique.

"Angelique!" said she. "They say in the Convent that you are to marry
the Intendant. Your old mistress, Mere St. Louis, is crazy with delight.
She says she always predicted you would make a great match."

"Or none at all, as Mere St. Helene used to say of me; but they know
everything in the Convent, do they not?" Angelique pinched the arm of
Louise, as much as to say, "Of course it is true." "But who told you
that, Louise?" asked she.

"Oh, every bird that flies! But tell me one thing more. They say the
Intendant is a Bluebeard, who has had wives without number,--nobody
knows how many or what became of them, so of course he kills them. Is
that true?"

Angelique shrank a little, and little as it was the movement was noticed
by Louise. "If nobody knows what became of them, how should I know,
Louise?" replied she. "He does not look like a Bluebeard, does he?"

"So says Mere St. Joseph, who came from the Convent at Bordeaux, you
know, for she never tires telling us. She declares that the Chevalier
Bigot was never married at all, and she ought to know that surely,
as well as she knows her beads, for coming from the same city as the
Intendant, and knowing his family as she does--"

"Well, Louise," interrupted Angelique impatiently, "but do you not see
the Sieur La Force is getting tired of holding you up so long with his
hand? For heaven's sake, get down!"

"I want to punish him for going with you, and not waiting for me," was
the cool whisper of Louise. "But you will ask me, Angelique, to the
wedding, will you not? If you do not," continued she, "I shall die!"
and delaying her descent as long as possible, she commenced a new topic
concerning the hat worn by Angelique.

"Mischief that you are, get down! The Sieur La Force is my cavalier for
the day, and you shall not impose on his gallantry that way! He is ready
to drop," whispered Angelique.

"One word more, Angelique." Louise was delighted to feel the hand of La
Force tremble more an