leepers and bidding them
come and see the fearful tragedy that lay in the secret chamber.

But no cry came. Fortunately for Bigot it did not! The discovery of
Caroline de St. Castin under such circumstances would have closed his
career in New France, and ruined him forever in the favor of the Court.

Dame Tremblay returned to her master and Cadet with the information
"that the lady was not in her bedchamber, but had gone down, as was her
wont, in the still hours of the night, to pray in her oratory in the
secret chamber, where she wished never to be disturbed.

"Well, dame," replied Bigot, "you may retire to your own room. I will
go down to the secret chamber myself. These vigils are killing her, poor
girl! If your lady should be missing in the morning, remember, dame,
that you make no remark of it; she is going away to-night with me and
the Sieur Cadet and will return soon again; so be discreet and keep your
tongue well between your teeth, which, I am glad to observe," remarked
he with a smile, "are still sound and white as ivory."

Bigot wished by such flattery to secure her fidelity, and he fully
succeeded. The compliment to her teeth was more agreeable than would
have been a purse of money. It caught the dame with a hook there was no
escape from.

Dame Tremblay courtesied very low, and smiled very broadly to show her
really good teeth, of which she was extravagantly vain. She assured the
Intendant of her perfect discretion and obedience to all his commands.

"Trust to me, your Excellency," said she with a profound courtesy. "I
never deceived a gentleman yet, except the Sieur Tremblay, and he,
good man, was none! When I was the Charming Josephine, and all the gay
gallants of the city used to flatter and spoil me, I never deceived one
of them, never! I knew that all is vanity in this world, but my eyes and
teeth were considered very fine in those days, your Excellency."

"And are yet, dame. Zounds! Lake Beauport has had nothing to equal them
since you retired from business as a beauty. But mind my orders, dame!
keep quiet and you will please me. Good-night, dame!"

"Good-night, your Excellency! Good-night, your Honor!" replied she,
flushed with gratified vanity. She left Bigot vowing to herself that he
was the finest gentleman and the best judge of a woman in New France!
The Sieur Cadet she could not like. He never looked pleasant on a woman,
as a gentleman ought to do!

The dame left them to themselves, and