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.”