“Which is my own opinion,” agreed Jeanne. “He is indefatigable; he is a born intriguer; he stands at nothing, and he may yet find a way to discover us, once she assumes her own dress.”
“It is like a play,” said Madam, “and it is vastly exciting. To protect the girl, then, I agree, and if any come prowling around the place questioning the servants, they will have no tales to tell.”
And therefore Alaine changed the short gown and petticoat for a linen shirt and breeches. Yet she was kept indoors, and, amid much laughter from Trynje, would sew or spin when no one else was nigh to observe her. Out of doors both she and Jeanne occupied themselves in such employment as was agreeable to them and which would keep them apart from the other workers, and Madam’s private garden promised to thrive well in consequence. It pleased Madam’s fancy not to let them go, and day after day some excuse was made to detain them longer. It is not improbable that she would have enjoyed somewhat a descent upon them by François Dupont, and that she was not without hope that it would take place; then she, at the head of her retainers, would drive him off, and it would be a pleasant and exciting diversion without the danger included in another incursion, such as those by the Indians.
Trynje attached herself devotedly to this new friend, for she was not without her love of romance either, amiable and prosaic as she appeared. But it was romance in which others, rather than herself, were concerned, which most interested her. These affairs required no puzzling solutions, no sleepless nights, nor uncomfortable situations. So far as she was concerned she was satisfied that others should direct her way, and what was nearest and easiest would receive her endorsement. So the two worked side by side, Trynje laughing at the attempts to speak Dutch which Alaine strenuously made, and the latter trying to drum into Trynje’s stupid little head a few French phrases. They could be seen almost any afternoon busy in one corner of the big sitting-room, while at the other end Madam’s head could be observed bending over her letters and accounts.
CHAPTER XV
MADAM, MY MOTHER
It was one day a week or so later that Alaine came upon Madam pacing the floor in deep thought. She looked up as the girl came in. “My son arrives to-night,” she said, abruptly, “and I have been thinking will it be best that he meet you as girl or boy. If as boy, you would best not appear at table; if as girl, we must announce the cause of the masquerade to him and to the rest of the household.”
“Oh, madam, permit me to keep in the background,” returned the girl. “I would much rather it should be so; and if we take up our journey again, it will be best that I do not alter my dress till I am safe at home; you remember that we decided so.”
Madam stood considering; then she smiled. “Taking all things into consideration, I think it will be best; and you need not neglect Trynje, but leave her only when my son seems to desire to be with her. I think,” she smiled again, “he will desire it the more because of the presence of a handsome lad. Yes, that is it; we will make him jealous. So, put on your most devoted air; you are a head taller than Trynje, and will seem quite a possible rival.”
Alaine laughed. She rather enjoyed the humor of the situation.
“I do not know much about your son,” she ventured to say. “Trynje will not talk of him, and when I try to bring the conversation that way she only laughs and changes the subject.”