her
without committing himself to any promise of marriage. He resolved
to bring this beautiful but exacting girl wholly under his power. He
comprehended fully that Angelique was prepared to accept his hand at
any moment, nay, almost demanded it; but the price of marriage was what
Bigot would not, dared not pay, and as a true courtier of the period he
believed thoroughly in his ability to beguile any woman he chose, and
cheat her of the price she set upon her love.

CHAPTER XXXI. THE BALL AT THE INTENDANT'S PALACE.

The bevy of fair girls still surrounded Bigot on the terrace stair.
Some of them stood leaning in graceful pose upon the balusters. The wily
girls knew his artistic tastes, and their pretty feet patted time to the
music, while they responded with ready glee to the gossiping of the gay
Intendant.

Amid their idle badinage Bigot inserted an artful inquiry for
suggestion, not for information, whether it was true that his friend
Le Gardeur de Repentigny, now at the Manor House of Tilly, had become
affianced to his cousin, Heloise de Lotbiniere? There was a start of
surprise and great curiosity at once manifested among the ladies, some
of whom protested that it could not be true, for they knew better
in what direction Le Gardeur's inclinations pointed. Others, more
compassionate or more spiteful, with a touch of envy, said they hoped
it was true, for he had been "jilted by a young lady in the city!" Whom
they "all knew!" added one sparkling demoiselle, giving herself a twitch
and throwing a side glance which mimicked so perfectly the manner of
the lady hinted at, that all knew in a moment she meant no other than
Angelique des Meloises. They all laughed merrily at the conceit, and
agreed that Le Gardeur de Repentigny would only serve the proud flirt
right by marrying Heloise, and showing the world how little he cared for
Angelique.

"Or how much!" suggested an experienced and lively widow, Madame La
Touche. "I think his marrying Heloise de Lotbiniere will only prove the
desperate condition of his feelings. He will marry her, not because he
loves her, but to spite Angelique."

The Intendant had reckoned securely on the success of his ruse: the
words were scarcely spoken before a couple of close friends of Angelique
found her out, and poured into her ears an exaggerated story of the
coming marriage of Le Gardeur with Heloise de Lotbiniere.

Angelique believed them because it seemed the natural consequen