igny, did you not?"
continued Bigot.

"I did, your Excellency; but that bunch of grapes was too high for me.
They are very sour now."

"Sly fox that you were! Well, do not call them sour yet, De Pean.
Another jump at the vine and you may reach that bunch of perfection!"
said Bigot, looking hard at him.

"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.

"But Angelique may not consent to this disposal of her hand," replied
De Pean with an uneasy look; "I should be afraid of your gift unless she
believed that she took me, and not I her."

"Hark you, De Pean! you do not know what women like her are made of,
or you would be at no loss how to bait your hook! You have made four
millions, they say, out of this war, if not more."

"I never counted it, your Excellency; but, much or little, I owe it all
to your friendship," replied De Pean with a touch of mock humility.

"My friendship! Well, so be it. It is enough to make Angelique des
Meloises Madame de Pean when she finds she cannot be Madame Intendant.
Do you see your way now, De Pean?"

"Yes, your Excel