CHAPTER XIDIPLOMACY“Monsieur, it is quite impossible for us to allow you to carry such a plan into execution. If you are barbarous enough to even dream of shutting this poor child up in a convent, give her time at least first to live and to enjoy her youth. New France is not like old France: we are not over-burdened with young maidens here; indeed, they are greatly in request!”The speaker, Madame Péan, was a very beautiful woman, a Canadian by birth, who had married a French officer, Major Péan, and because of her beauty was the acknowledged leader of fashion in Quebec. All the world bowed down before her, from the Governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, to the ugly hunchback Maurier, the ally of the two men, Bigot and Varin, who for some time past had been growing rich on the misery of Canada.Immediately upon his arrival at Quebec Montcalm had been introduced to Madame Péan, and was astonished to find there asalonwhich might have rivalled any at Versailles. “The ladies are graceful and elegant,” he wrote to his wife, “and by no means behind the fashion.” Having heard that Mercèdes had accompanied her father, Madame Péan took the first opportunity which offered to ask the General if he would bring his daughter to one of her receptions, to which request he replied by saying that Mercèdes would not go into society, that when he left Quebec for his first campaign, which would be in the course of the next fortnight, she would enter the Convent of the Ursulines.“She came over with me,” he said, “that I might have the consolation of seeing her from time to time during my exile, and as her vocation was a religious life it mattered little whether she followed it in the new or the old country.”It was this speech which had called forth Madame Péan’s somewhat indignant protest.“But, Madame,” answered the General, “my daughter is very young, and is only accompanied by her nurse. I cannot look after her. I shall not even have an establishment in Quebec; my duties will call me here, there, and everywhere. I shall live with my soldiers. What would you have me do with a young girl under such circumstances?”Madame Péan laughed, such a pleasant, easy laugh, and, seating herself, signed the General to take a place on the sofa beside her.“Certainly those are difficulties,” she said, “but by no means insurmountable. Tell me honestly, General, would you have any objection to a rich husband for your daughter, if one could be found?”“I have never thought of such a thing. Mercèdes has always been our little nun,” he answered.“But would you object?” she persisted.“Not if the child wished it, and if, besides being rich, the man were honourable and of good family,” said the General.“Leave that to me,” answered the lady. “You must let your ‘little nun,’ as you call her, take up her abode under my roof during your absence, General. It will be quite the right thing. This is a great barrack of a place, and there are three empty rooms just above my own apartments; now I think of it, they overlook the gardens of the Ursulines. She can contemplate at her leisure her future abode, in case my matrimonial scheme should fail, which I do not think probable; I am proverbially fortunate,” and she tossed her fair head and smiled with conscious power.“I cannot sufficiently thank you for the interest you take in my daughter,” answered Montcalm. “I will consider the matter, and, if you will allow me, will bring you my answer to-morrow at this same hour; in any case, my daughter shall tender you her thanks in person.” He rose, and bowed low before the reigning beauty; she smiled graciously, and extended her hand, which, according to the custom of those days, he raised to his lips; then once more bowing, he withdrew to make room for others who were waiting to pay their homage, for Madame Péan held a mimic court, and it was rumoured, indeed, that with many in high places her word was law.The General did not remain long in thesalons, and as soon as he had disappeared there arose an excited murmur in the group surrounding Madame Péan. She rose. “You will never tell me again I am no diplomate, Monsieur,” she said, turning to the Marquis de Vaudreuil.The Governor smiled. “Who is your last conquest, Madame?” he said. “Not Montcalm? He is as impregnable as Quebec itself!”“We shall see,” said the lady. “There is a weak point in every fortress. Have you heard that he has been mad enough to bring a daughter out here, to make her a nun at the Ursulines opposite?”“And you are bent upon frustrating such pious designs?” said the Intendant Bigot, who, notwithstanding his unprepossessing appearance, managed to ingratiate himself with all sorts and conditions of men; and by his lavish hospitality and readiness to oblige was able with impunity to plunder the populace and secure for himself and his friends immense fortunes. It is affirmed that one company, with which Major Péan, the husband of the fair lady we have just introduced to our readers, was associated, made in the course of one year a net profit of twelve millions. This was done, to a great extent, by monopolies. Bigot, himself a native of Bordeaux, traded under the name of Clavarie with the firm of Gradis & Son of that city. He was known to have made a colossal fortune, and lived with royal splendour, dispensing lavish hospitality at the king’s expense.General Montcalm was too new a comer, and himself of a too spotless integrity, to even suspect such dealings; he had already been made aware that the Governor and native authorities of Canada viewed him with jealous suspicion, as a stranger and an intruder. They did not recognise the necessity of his presence amongst them. The Governor was especially irate at having to yield precedence to him in military matters; but the General was determined to do his utmost to conciliate all parties, and he was ably seconded by his first and second officers, the Chevaliers Levis and Bougainville.In answer to Bigot’s half-mocking query, Madame Péan nodded her head, and the sparkling face laughed acquiescence.“I should rather think so,” she said. “I mean to have and to hold her as a fair hostage. When the war is over, and the Marquis sails from our coast, we will let her go home, or to the convent, unless she become one of ourselves.”“Not a bad idea,” said her husband, curling his moustache, “and you are quite capable of carrying it into effect.”“What Madame wills the gods prosper,” said Bigot gallantly. “Has any one seen the new importation?”“I caught sight of a little sallow-faced girl, with big black eyes, walking with the General and Charles Langlade in the lower town yesterday,” said a young officer.“Did not Charles Langlade bring the whole party across country to Quebec?” asked Bigot.“Yes,” answered the Governor; “Montcalm would not wait till the ships could get up the St. Lawrence, so he hurried on in front. He’s in a perfect fever to begin operations.”“He will learn to take things more quietly presently,” said Bigot. “In the meantime, let Madame take the little girl in hand. According to the natural course of events, she and Charles Langlade ought to have managed to fall in love with each other during their somewhat rough excursion across country. If they have, that will be another string to our bow; if they have not—well, dear Madame, you must manage that they should.”“And Charles Langlade’s squaw?” said Madame.“Oh, she would be easily disposed of,” said Bigot carelessly.And then, as if the subject had grown unpleasant to him, he changed the conversation.In the meantime the General went slowly and thoughtfully through the narrow, tortuous streets, past the magnificent Jesuit College on one side and the Ursuline Convent on the other. He was feeling depressed; his reception by the authorities had by no means been as hearty as he had been led to expect, and this new proposition concerning Mercèdes also worried him.“I should have done better to leave the child at home,” he thought.At that moment he was met by Chevalier Levis, who had arrived with the troops, and was camped outside the town in the plain of Montmorenci.“Well, General,” he said gaily, “are things going pretty smoothly?”“By no means,” answered Montcalm; “at every step I find impediments in my way. These Canadians take life easily; while the Indians and the English are fighting for dominion, they seem to think nothing of so great importance as balls and picnics.”“All that will change before long,” said the Chevalier cheerfully. “You cannot expect everybody to view events as seriously as you do, General. I certainly am agreeably surprised. I did not expect to find such pleasant society and such pretty women in Quebec; but you are above such trifles! Still, if you will allow me to say it, do you not think it would be wise to conciliate the powers that be?”“As far as possible I most certainly do,” answered Montcalm. “A proposition has just been made me which puts me in an awkward position. If I refuse I am afraid I shall give great offence, and yet I am unwilling to agree to it.”“What is it?” asked the Chevalier.They were entering the Rue St. Louis, in which street the General had taken a small, one-storied house; here he had settled Mercèdes and her nurse for the time being at least.“If you will come in I will tell you; your opinion may help me to decide,” he said.A few minutes later they were seated in a plainly furnished room, the principal ornament of which was the large white porcelain stove used to warm the apartment during the severe Canadian winters.In a few words the General told Levis his conversation with Madame Péan. “Do you think it possible for me to leave Mercèdes in her charge? You must remember the child is utterly ignorant of the world, and it seems to me it is a very gay world here in Quebec, notwithstanding the war.”“You cannot afford to offend Madame Péan” answered Levis; “she is a power in herself, like others at Versailles. Hersalonis the centre of every intrigue; her will is law. It will not harm Mademoiselle Mercèdes to spend the next few months under the same roof as Madame Péan, and to take her share in the gaieties. It will be time enough when you return in September for her to take up her abode at the Ursulines, if she be still so minded. At least, you might explain the position to her, and let her decide for herself.”“And if Mercèdes refuses the invitation, how shall I explain the fact satisfactorily to Madame without incurring her anger?” asked Montcalm.“Mademoiselle is to call on Madame herself to-morrow, I believe; let her explain,” said Levis. “But I am very much mistaken if she refuse to accept the offer.”“I will call her,” said Montcalm.He did so, and at the sound of his voice Mercèdes came running into the room.“Have you been in long, father?” she asked, as he kissed her brow.“No, my child,” he said. “But I have something of importance to say to you, Mercèdes; and, remember, before you decide one way or the other you must reflect seriously.”He had reseated himself, and, putting his arm round her, drew her towards him.“It was settled that before I left Quebec you should go to the Ursulines. Supposing I thought it better to delay your entering the convent, would it grieve you very much, my daughter?”Mercèdes looked at him with surprise. “Where else should I go, my father? I could not remain here alone,” she said.“I do not suppose you could,” he answered. “This is what has happened,” and he explained to her his interview with Madame Péan. “She is a very great lady, and much considered here in Quebec,” he said. “I do not wish to offend her, and yet I honestly tell you, Mercèdes, you will have to be very circumspect in your conduct. You will be like a lamb in the midst of wolves, I am afraid.”“You need not be afraid for me,” said Mercèdes. “If it be useful to you that I should go to this lady, I am quite willing; Marthe will, of course, be with me, and I shall only await your return.”A sense of relief came over the General. He had so much to combat with the men, that he had felt very loth to incur female wrath.“Then it is settled,” he said, “and I am very glad; to-morrow I will introduce you. I am afraid, however, you are badly off for fine clothes, my little nun: it would be well for you to sally forth with Marthe and purchase what is needful; it will not do for you to appear in beggarly fashion before all these fine ladies. Are you not of my opinion, Chevalier?”“Assuredly. Mademoiselle Mercèdes represents Versailles here at Quebec,” he answered, smiling.“I never was at Versailles, and never expect to go there,” said the young girl, laughing. “I should be terrified. But here there is neither king nor queen. These people are not even noble,” she said, with a touch of old aristocratic pride.“True, my Mercèdes,” answered her father, smiling; “but you must not tell them so.”“I understand,” she answered; “and now, if you will give me a few louis, I will buy what is necessary for me to have, so that I may do you credit. I only wish I were beautiful, like my sisters.”“It is as well, perhaps, that you are not,” thought her father, giving her the gold she asked for; then she embraced him, bowed to the Chevalier Levis, and left the room.It was with a certain degree of excitement that Mercèdes started on her expedition. As far as she was concerned, dress had always been a very minor consideration. She did not belong to the world, and therefore anything was good enough for her—mostly her mother’s or sisters’ left-off clothing; but she had a French-woman’s natural knack for arranging them, and so not unfrequently her sisters observed that Mercèdes looked better in old clothes than they did in new ones. She felt half guilty also at the fact that she was not more sorry at the delay occasioned by these new plans to her entering the convent; but she satisfied her conscience by the fact that it was her father’s will. As she and Marthe went quickly towards the upper town, where she believed the best stores were to be found, she was suddenly aware of a tall figure coming towards her, stopping in front of them, and saying, “Mademoiselle, where are you thus hurrying?”“Monsieur Langlade,” she answered, holding out her hand, “we have met just in time for you to tell me the best stores for stuffs; we are at a loss.”“Why, Mademoiselle, are you going to the ball at the Intendance? I thought you were to retire to the Ursulines as soon as the General left Quebec.”“My father has decided otherwise,” answered Mercèdes. “I am going to be the guest of Madame Péan during his absence.”Charles Langlade started, hesitated for a moment, then he asked,—“What is the reason of this sudden change?”“That I cannot tell you,” answered Mercèdes. “My father does not, apparently, wish to give offence, which, if he refuse to allow me to accept Madame Péan’s invitation, he most certainly will. After all, it will not make much difference; it is the case of a few months only. But I have to buy clothes and make myself generally fitted to properly represent the family—a difficult and unexpected task.”“Which you will surely accomplish creditably,” answered Charles, “as you will anything you set your heart on doing.”“I am glad you have such a good opinion of me,” answered Mercèdes. “I shall certainly try, for my dear father’s sake. And now, where can I go to make my purchases?”“Having no womankind of my own to clothe in fashionable attire, I am somewhat at a loss,” said Charles. “But if you will follow me I think I know a good draper who will sell you stuffs, and may perhaps be able to direct you where to go for your other purchases.”So saying, he preceded them through the tortuous thoroughfares of the lower town, and in a side street came to a quaint old wooden house, the upper story projecting over the basement, throwing a deep shadow over the interior of what proved to be the storehouse.Charles Langlade spoke a few words in a low voice to the master, who came forward, the result of which was that he bowed low before Mercèdes, assuring her that his poor store was highly honoured by her patronage, which, being unaccustomed to such homage, disconcerted her not a little. Charles Langlade, feeling his presence was no longer needed, took his leave, if truth be told, with a strangely lightened heart at the thought that Mercèdes was not so soon to disappear behind the Convent walls.Not till the store man asked Mercèdes what she desired, did she at all realise the difficulties which lay before her. She looked helplessly at the rich stuffs he spread out on the counter, seeing which he smiled. “Mademoiselle is not accustomed to make purchases for herself,” he said. “Shall I fetch my wife or daughter? They are in the habit of dressing the great ladies of Quebec, and will know exactly what it is desirable for the daughter of our General to wear.”“Do, I pray you,” said Mercèdes; and a few minutes later Madame Thomas appeared with a young girl, two or three years older than Mercèdes, both of them excited and delighted at the sight of the General’s daughter. Madame was perfectly at home in her business, and, besides, she was motherly, with such pleasant, homely ways that Mercèdes exclaimed at last,—“You had better send me just what you think right and proper. I must spend as little as possible, for my father is not rich, and has many expenses; you will please to bear that in mind. If you could let me have a visiting costume to-morrow, I should be glad. I am to pay my first visit to the Intendance.”“Mademoiselle, if we sit up all night, you shall have everything you require. Are you not our General’s daughter, whom it is our duty as well as our pleasure to serve?” answered Madame Thomas. “Annette shall herself bring you your costume, and if you will allow her she will wait and dress you.”“A thousand thanks,” said Mercèdes, with her bright, winning smile. “Now I am quite at rest. Remember, everything is to be plain, very plain. I have come to Canada to be a nun at the Convent of the Ursulines; it is only for a little while I am going into the world.”“Ah, Mademoiselle, I shall be much surprised if some gallant gentleman does not succeed in making you change your mind,” said Madame Thomas.“Oh no, indeed,” answered Mercèdes, blushing; and with a pleasant adieu she left the stores and went home to the little house in St. Louis Street, feeling as if a strange new life were opening out before her.
“Monsieur, it is quite impossible for us to allow you to carry such a plan into execution. If you are barbarous enough to even dream of shutting this poor child up in a convent, give her time at least first to live and to enjoy her youth. New France is not like old France: we are not over-burdened with young maidens here; indeed, they are greatly in request!”
The speaker, Madame Péan, was a very beautiful woman, a Canadian by birth, who had married a French officer, Major Péan, and because of her beauty was the acknowledged leader of fashion in Quebec. All the world bowed down before her, from the Governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, to the ugly hunchback Maurier, the ally of the two men, Bigot and Varin, who for some time past had been growing rich on the misery of Canada.
Immediately upon his arrival at Quebec Montcalm had been introduced to Madame Péan, and was astonished to find there asalonwhich might have rivalled any at Versailles. “The ladies are graceful and elegant,” he wrote to his wife, “and by no means behind the fashion.” Having heard that Mercèdes had accompanied her father, Madame Péan took the first opportunity which offered to ask the General if he would bring his daughter to one of her receptions, to which request he replied by saying that Mercèdes would not go into society, that when he left Quebec for his first campaign, which would be in the course of the next fortnight, she would enter the Convent of the Ursulines.
“She came over with me,” he said, “that I might have the consolation of seeing her from time to time during my exile, and as her vocation was a religious life it mattered little whether she followed it in the new or the old country.”
It was this speech which had called forth Madame Péan’s somewhat indignant protest.
“But, Madame,” answered the General, “my daughter is very young, and is only accompanied by her nurse. I cannot look after her. I shall not even have an establishment in Quebec; my duties will call me here, there, and everywhere. I shall live with my soldiers. What would you have me do with a young girl under such circumstances?”
Madame Péan laughed, such a pleasant, easy laugh, and, seating herself, signed the General to take a place on the sofa beside her.
“Certainly those are difficulties,” she said, “but by no means insurmountable. Tell me honestly, General, would you have any objection to a rich husband for your daughter, if one could be found?”
“I have never thought of such a thing. Mercèdes has always been our little nun,” he answered.
“But would you object?” she persisted.
“Not if the child wished it, and if, besides being rich, the man were honourable and of good family,” said the General.
“Leave that to me,” answered the lady. “You must let your ‘little nun,’ as you call her, take up her abode under my roof during your absence, General. It will be quite the right thing. This is a great barrack of a place, and there are three empty rooms just above my own apartments; now I think of it, they overlook the gardens of the Ursulines. She can contemplate at her leisure her future abode, in case my matrimonial scheme should fail, which I do not think probable; I am proverbially fortunate,” and she tossed her fair head and smiled with conscious power.
“I cannot sufficiently thank you for the interest you take in my daughter,” answered Montcalm. “I will consider the matter, and, if you will allow me, will bring you my answer to-morrow at this same hour; in any case, my daughter shall tender you her thanks in person.” He rose, and bowed low before the reigning beauty; she smiled graciously, and extended her hand, which, according to the custom of those days, he raised to his lips; then once more bowing, he withdrew to make room for others who were waiting to pay their homage, for Madame Péan held a mimic court, and it was rumoured, indeed, that with many in high places her word was law.
The General did not remain long in thesalons, and as soon as he had disappeared there arose an excited murmur in the group surrounding Madame Péan. She rose. “You will never tell me again I am no diplomate, Monsieur,” she said, turning to the Marquis de Vaudreuil.
The Governor smiled. “Who is your last conquest, Madame?” he said. “Not Montcalm? He is as impregnable as Quebec itself!”
“We shall see,” said the lady. “There is a weak point in every fortress. Have you heard that he has been mad enough to bring a daughter out here, to make her a nun at the Ursulines opposite?”
“And you are bent upon frustrating such pious designs?” said the Intendant Bigot, who, notwithstanding his unprepossessing appearance, managed to ingratiate himself with all sorts and conditions of men; and by his lavish hospitality and readiness to oblige was able with impunity to plunder the populace and secure for himself and his friends immense fortunes. It is affirmed that one company, with which Major Péan, the husband of the fair lady we have just introduced to our readers, was associated, made in the course of one year a net profit of twelve millions. This was done, to a great extent, by monopolies. Bigot, himself a native of Bordeaux, traded under the name of Clavarie with the firm of Gradis & Son of that city. He was known to have made a colossal fortune, and lived with royal splendour, dispensing lavish hospitality at the king’s expense.
General Montcalm was too new a comer, and himself of a too spotless integrity, to even suspect such dealings; he had already been made aware that the Governor and native authorities of Canada viewed him with jealous suspicion, as a stranger and an intruder. They did not recognise the necessity of his presence amongst them. The Governor was especially irate at having to yield precedence to him in military matters; but the General was determined to do his utmost to conciliate all parties, and he was ably seconded by his first and second officers, the Chevaliers Levis and Bougainville.
In answer to Bigot’s half-mocking query, Madame Péan nodded her head, and the sparkling face laughed acquiescence.
“I should rather think so,” she said. “I mean to have and to hold her as a fair hostage. When the war is over, and the Marquis sails from our coast, we will let her go home, or to the convent, unless she become one of ourselves.”
“Not a bad idea,” said her husband, curling his moustache, “and you are quite capable of carrying it into effect.”
“What Madame wills the gods prosper,” said Bigot gallantly. “Has any one seen the new importation?”
“I caught sight of a little sallow-faced girl, with big black eyes, walking with the General and Charles Langlade in the lower town yesterday,” said a young officer.
“Did not Charles Langlade bring the whole party across country to Quebec?” asked Bigot.
“Yes,” answered the Governor; “Montcalm would not wait till the ships could get up the St. Lawrence, so he hurried on in front. He’s in a perfect fever to begin operations.”
“He will learn to take things more quietly presently,” said Bigot. “In the meantime, let Madame take the little girl in hand. According to the natural course of events, she and Charles Langlade ought to have managed to fall in love with each other during their somewhat rough excursion across country. If they have, that will be another string to our bow; if they have not—well, dear Madame, you must manage that they should.”
“And Charles Langlade’s squaw?” said Madame.
“Oh, she would be easily disposed of,” said Bigot carelessly.
And then, as if the subject had grown unpleasant to him, he changed the conversation.
In the meantime the General went slowly and thoughtfully through the narrow, tortuous streets, past the magnificent Jesuit College on one side and the Ursuline Convent on the other. He was feeling depressed; his reception by the authorities had by no means been as hearty as he had been led to expect, and this new proposition concerning Mercèdes also worried him.
“I should have done better to leave the child at home,” he thought.
At that moment he was met by Chevalier Levis, who had arrived with the troops, and was camped outside the town in the plain of Montmorenci.
“Well, General,” he said gaily, “are things going pretty smoothly?”
“By no means,” answered Montcalm; “at every step I find impediments in my way. These Canadians take life easily; while the Indians and the English are fighting for dominion, they seem to think nothing of so great importance as balls and picnics.”
“All that will change before long,” said the Chevalier cheerfully. “You cannot expect everybody to view events as seriously as you do, General. I certainly am agreeably surprised. I did not expect to find such pleasant society and such pretty women in Quebec; but you are above such trifles! Still, if you will allow me to say it, do you not think it would be wise to conciliate the powers that be?”
“As far as possible I most certainly do,” answered Montcalm. “A proposition has just been made me which puts me in an awkward position. If I refuse I am afraid I shall give great offence, and yet I am unwilling to agree to it.”
“What is it?” asked the Chevalier.
They were entering the Rue St. Louis, in which street the General had taken a small, one-storied house; here he had settled Mercèdes and her nurse for the time being at least.
“If you will come in I will tell you; your opinion may help me to decide,” he said.
A few minutes later they were seated in a plainly furnished room, the principal ornament of which was the large white porcelain stove used to warm the apartment during the severe Canadian winters.
In a few words the General told Levis his conversation with Madame Péan. “Do you think it possible for me to leave Mercèdes in her charge? You must remember the child is utterly ignorant of the world, and it seems to me it is a very gay world here in Quebec, notwithstanding the war.”
“You cannot afford to offend Madame Péan” answered Levis; “she is a power in herself, like others at Versailles. Hersalonis the centre of every intrigue; her will is law. It will not harm Mademoiselle Mercèdes to spend the next few months under the same roof as Madame Péan, and to take her share in the gaieties. It will be time enough when you return in September for her to take up her abode at the Ursulines, if she be still so minded. At least, you might explain the position to her, and let her decide for herself.”
“And if Mercèdes refuses the invitation, how shall I explain the fact satisfactorily to Madame without incurring her anger?” asked Montcalm.
“Mademoiselle is to call on Madame herself to-morrow, I believe; let her explain,” said Levis. “But I am very much mistaken if she refuse to accept the offer.”
“I will call her,” said Montcalm.
He did so, and at the sound of his voice Mercèdes came running into the room.
“Have you been in long, father?” she asked, as he kissed her brow.
“No, my child,” he said. “But I have something of importance to say to you, Mercèdes; and, remember, before you decide one way or the other you must reflect seriously.”
He had reseated himself, and, putting his arm round her, drew her towards him.
“It was settled that before I left Quebec you should go to the Ursulines. Supposing I thought it better to delay your entering the convent, would it grieve you very much, my daughter?”
Mercèdes looked at him with surprise. “Where else should I go, my father? I could not remain here alone,” she said.
“I do not suppose you could,” he answered. “This is what has happened,” and he explained to her his interview with Madame Péan. “She is a very great lady, and much considered here in Quebec,” he said. “I do not wish to offend her, and yet I honestly tell you, Mercèdes, you will have to be very circumspect in your conduct. You will be like a lamb in the midst of wolves, I am afraid.”
“You need not be afraid for me,” said Mercèdes. “If it be useful to you that I should go to this lady, I am quite willing; Marthe will, of course, be with me, and I shall only await your return.”
A sense of relief came over the General. He had so much to combat with the men, that he had felt very loth to incur female wrath.
“Then it is settled,” he said, “and I am very glad; to-morrow I will introduce you. I am afraid, however, you are badly off for fine clothes, my little nun: it would be well for you to sally forth with Marthe and purchase what is needful; it will not do for you to appear in beggarly fashion before all these fine ladies. Are you not of my opinion, Chevalier?”
“Assuredly. Mademoiselle Mercèdes represents Versailles here at Quebec,” he answered, smiling.
“I never was at Versailles, and never expect to go there,” said the young girl, laughing. “I should be terrified. But here there is neither king nor queen. These people are not even noble,” she said, with a touch of old aristocratic pride.
“True, my Mercèdes,” answered her father, smiling; “but you must not tell them so.”
“I understand,” she answered; “and now, if you will give me a few louis, I will buy what is necessary for me to have, so that I may do you credit. I only wish I were beautiful, like my sisters.”
“It is as well, perhaps, that you are not,” thought her father, giving her the gold she asked for; then she embraced him, bowed to the Chevalier Levis, and left the room.
It was with a certain degree of excitement that Mercèdes started on her expedition. As far as she was concerned, dress had always been a very minor consideration. She did not belong to the world, and therefore anything was good enough for her—mostly her mother’s or sisters’ left-off clothing; but she had a French-woman’s natural knack for arranging them, and so not unfrequently her sisters observed that Mercèdes looked better in old clothes than they did in new ones. She felt half guilty also at the fact that she was not more sorry at the delay occasioned by these new plans to her entering the convent; but she satisfied her conscience by the fact that it was her father’s will. As she and Marthe went quickly towards the upper town, where she believed the best stores were to be found, she was suddenly aware of a tall figure coming towards her, stopping in front of them, and saying, “Mademoiselle, where are you thus hurrying?”
“Monsieur Langlade,” she answered, holding out her hand, “we have met just in time for you to tell me the best stores for stuffs; we are at a loss.”
“Why, Mademoiselle, are you going to the ball at the Intendance? I thought you were to retire to the Ursulines as soon as the General left Quebec.”
“My father has decided otherwise,” answered Mercèdes. “I am going to be the guest of Madame Péan during his absence.”
Charles Langlade started, hesitated for a moment, then he asked,—
“What is the reason of this sudden change?”
“That I cannot tell you,” answered Mercèdes. “My father does not, apparently, wish to give offence, which, if he refuse to allow me to accept Madame Péan’s invitation, he most certainly will. After all, it will not make much difference; it is the case of a few months only. But I have to buy clothes and make myself generally fitted to properly represent the family—a difficult and unexpected task.”
“Which you will surely accomplish creditably,” answered Charles, “as you will anything you set your heart on doing.”
“I am glad you have such a good opinion of me,” answered Mercèdes. “I shall certainly try, for my dear father’s sake. And now, where can I go to make my purchases?”
“Having no womankind of my own to clothe in fashionable attire, I am somewhat at a loss,” said Charles. “But if you will follow me I think I know a good draper who will sell you stuffs, and may perhaps be able to direct you where to go for your other purchases.”
So saying, he preceded them through the tortuous thoroughfares of the lower town, and in a side street came to a quaint old wooden house, the upper story projecting over the basement, throwing a deep shadow over the interior of what proved to be the storehouse.
Charles Langlade spoke a few words in a low voice to the master, who came forward, the result of which was that he bowed low before Mercèdes, assuring her that his poor store was highly honoured by her patronage, which, being unaccustomed to such homage, disconcerted her not a little. Charles Langlade, feeling his presence was no longer needed, took his leave, if truth be told, with a strangely lightened heart at the thought that Mercèdes was not so soon to disappear behind the Convent walls.
Not till the store man asked Mercèdes what she desired, did she at all realise the difficulties which lay before her. She looked helplessly at the rich stuffs he spread out on the counter, seeing which he smiled. “Mademoiselle is not accustomed to make purchases for herself,” he said. “Shall I fetch my wife or daughter? They are in the habit of dressing the great ladies of Quebec, and will know exactly what it is desirable for the daughter of our General to wear.”
“Do, I pray you,” said Mercèdes; and a few minutes later Madame Thomas appeared with a young girl, two or three years older than Mercèdes, both of them excited and delighted at the sight of the General’s daughter. Madame was perfectly at home in her business, and, besides, she was motherly, with such pleasant, homely ways that Mercèdes exclaimed at last,—
“You had better send me just what you think right and proper. I must spend as little as possible, for my father is not rich, and has many expenses; you will please to bear that in mind. If you could let me have a visiting costume to-morrow, I should be glad. I am to pay my first visit to the Intendance.”
“Mademoiselle, if we sit up all night, you shall have everything you require. Are you not our General’s daughter, whom it is our duty as well as our pleasure to serve?” answered Madame Thomas. “Annette shall herself bring you your costume, and if you will allow her she will wait and dress you.”
“A thousand thanks,” said Mercèdes, with her bright, winning smile. “Now I am quite at rest. Remember, everything is to be plain, very plain. I have come to Canada to be a nun at the Convent of the Ursulines; it is only for a little while I am going into the world.”
“Ah, Mademoiselle, I shall be much surprised if some gallant gentleman does not succeed in making you change your mind,” said Madame Thomas.
“Oh no, indeed,” answered Mercèdes, blushing; and with a pleasant adieu she left the stores and went home to the little house in St. Louis Street, feeling as if a strange new life were opening out before her.