"
"I'll pay, I'll pay," he said, and he took to trembling.
"Where shall I find Babette?" asked I. "I come from Isle aux
Coudres; I know not this rambling town."
"A little house hugging the cathedral rear," he explained. "Babette
sweeps out the vestry, and fetches water for the priests."
"Good," said I. "Take that to the Governor at once, and send the
corporal of the guard to have this horse fed and cared for, and
he's to carry back the Governor's messenger. I've further business
for the General in the town. And tell your captain of the guard to
send and pick up two dead men in the highway, just against the
first Calvary beyond the town."
He did my bidding, and I dismounted, and was about to get away,
when I saw the Chevalier de la Darante and the Intendant appear at
the door. They paused upon the steps. The Chevalier was speaking
most earnestly:
"To a nunnery--a piteous shame! it should not be, your Excellency."
"To decline upon Monsieur Doltaire, then?" asked Bigot, with a
sneer.
"Your Excellency believes in no woman," responded the Chevalier
stiffly.
"Ah yes, in one!" was the cynical reply.
"Is it possible? And she remains a friend of your Excellency?"
came back in irony.
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