ed tokens!" said Angelique, with an air
of triumph. "He dare not even banish her for my sake, lest the secret
of her concealment at Beaumanoir become known. We can safely risk his
displeasure, even should he suspect that I have cut the knot he knew not
how to untie."

"You are a bold girl!" exclaimed La Corriveau, looking on her
admiringly, "you are worthy to wear the crown of Cleopatra, the queen of
all the gypsies and enchantresses. I shall have less fear now to do your
bidding, for you have a stronger spirit than mine to support you."

"'Tis well, La Corriveau! Let this vial of Brinvilliers bring me the
good fortune I crave, and I will fill your lap with gold. If the lady of
Beaumanoir shall find death in a bouquet of flowers, let them be roses!"

"But how and where to find roses? they have ceased blooming," said La
Corriveau, hating Angelique's sentiment, and glad to find an objection
to it.

"Not for her, La Corriveau; fate is kinder than you think!" Angelique
threw back a rich curtain and disclosed a recess filled with pots of
blooming roses and flowers of various hues. "The roses are blooming here
which will form the bouquet of Beaumanoir."

"You are of rare ingenuity, Mademoiselle," replied La Corriveau,
admiringly. "If Satan prompts you not, it is because he can teach you
nothing either in love or stratagem."

"Love!" replied Angelique quickly, "do not name that! No! I have
sacrificed all love, or I should not be taking counsel of La Corriveau!"

Angelique's thoughts flashed back upon Le Gardeur for one regretful
moment. "No, it is not love," continued she, "but the duplicity of a man
before whom I have lowered my pride. It is the vengeance I have vowed
upon a woman for whose sake I am trifled with! It is that prompts me to
this deed! But no matter, shut up the casket, La Corriveau; we will talk
now of how and when this thing is to be done."

The witch shut up her infernal casket of ebony, leaving the vial of
Brinvilliers shining like a ruby in the lamplight upon the polished
table.

The two women sat down, their foreheads almost touching together, with
their eyes flashing in lurid sympathy as they eagerly discussed the
position of things in the Chateau. The apartments of Caroline, the hours
of rest and activity, were all well known to Angelique, who had adroitly
fished out every fact from the unsuspecting Fanchon Dodier, as had also
La Corriveau.

It was known to Angelique that the Intendant would