self, when she chose to flatter a man with a
belief of her own preference for him.

They walked down a long alley brilliantly illuminated with lamps of
Bohemian glass, which shone like the diamonds, rubies, and emeralds
which grew upon the trees in the garden of Aladdin.

At every angle of the geometrically-cut paths of hard-beaten sea-shells,
white as snow, stood the statue of a faun, a nymph, or dryad, in Parian
marble, holding a torch, which illuminated a great vase running over
with fresh, blooming flowers, presenting a vista of royal magnificence
which bore testimony to the wealth and splendid tastes of the Intendant.

The garden walks were not deserted: their beauty drew out many a couple
who sauntered merrily, or lovingly, down the pleached avenues, which
looked like the corridors of a gorgeously-decorated palace.

Bigot and Angelique moved among the guests, receiving, as they passed,
obsequious salutations, which to Angelique seemed a foretaste of
royalty. She had seen the gardens of the palace many times before, but
never illuminated as now. The sight of them so grandly decorated filled
her with admiration of their owner, and she resolved that, cost what it
would, the homage paid to her to-night, as the partner of the Intendant,
should become hers by right on his hearthstone as the first lady in New
France.

Angelique threw back her veil that all might see her, that the women
might envy and the men admire her, as she leaned confidingly on the arm
of Bigot, looking up in his face with that wonderful smile of hers
which had brought so many men to ruin at her feet, and talking with such
enchantment as no woman could talk but Angelique des Meloises.

Well understanding that her only road to success was to completely
fascinate the Intendant, she bent herself to the task with such power
of witchery and such simulation of real passion, that Bigot, wary and
experienced gladiator as he was in the arena of love, was more than once
brought to the brink of a proposal for her hand.

She watched every movement of his features, at these critical moments
when he seemed just falling into the snares so artfully set for him.
When she caught his eyes glowing with passionate admiration, she shyly
affected to withdraw hers from his gaze, turning on him at times flashes
of her dark eyes which electrified every nerve of his sensuous nature.
She felt the pressure of his hand, the changed and softened inflections
of his voice, sh