lution was unchanged.

"It was not only to please me, but to profit yourself that I sent
for you!" Angelique replied eagerly, like one trying to outstrip her
conscience and prevent it from overtaking her sin. "Hark you! you love
gold, La Corriveau! I will give you all you crave in return for your
help,--for help me you shall! you will never repent of it if you do; you
will never cease to regret it if you do not! I will make you rich, La
Corrivean! or else, by God! do you hear? I swear it! I will have you
burnt for a witch, and your ashes strewn all over St. Valier!"

La Corriveau spat contemptuously upon the floor at the holy name. "You
are a fool, Angelique des Meloises, to speak thus to me! Do you know
who and what I am? You are a poor butterfly to flutter your gay wings
against La Corriveau; but still I like your spirit! women like you are
rare. The blood of Exili could not have spoken bolder than you do; you
want the life of a woman who has kindled the hell-fire of jealousy in
your heart, and you want me to tell you how to get your revenge!"

"I do want you to do it, La Corriveau, and your reward shall be great!"
answered Angelique with a burst of impatience. She could beat about the
bush no longer.

"To kill a woman or a man were of itself a pleasure even without the
profit," replied La Corriveau, doggedly. "But why should I run myself
into danger for you, Mademoiselle des Meloises? Have you gold enough to
balance the risk?"

Angelique had now fairly overleaped all barriers of reserve. "I will
give you more than your eyes ever beheld, if you will serve me in this
matter, Dame Dodier!"

"Perhaps so, but I am getting old and trust neither man nor woman. Give
a pledge of your good faith, before you speak one word farther to me
on this business, Mademoiselle des Meloises." La Corriveau held out her
double hands significantly.

"A pledge? that is gold you want!" replied Angelique. "Yes, La
Corriveau; I will bind you to me with chains of gold; you shall have it
uncounted, as I get it,--gold enough to make you the richest woman in
St. Valier, the richest peasant-woman in New France."

"I am no peasant-woman," replied La Corriveau, with a touch of pride,
"I come of a race ancient and terrible as the Roman Caesars! But pshaw!
what have you to do with that? Give me the pledge of your good faith and
I will help you."

Angelique rose instantly, and, opening the drawer of an escritoire,
took out a long silken purse f