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.