Mercèdes lived in her rooms at the Intendance, ignorant of what was going on below. Like her father, retiring more and more from public life, seldom seen except on her way to church or on her visits to the poor, without knowing it she was a sort of hostage for her father. Probably she would not have been allowed to remain so entirely in the background but for Madame Péan’s open protection. That lady reigned supreme in the gay world at Quebec, and she would not suffer her protégée to be annoyed. “She is in my charge; she shall not be molested,” she was wont to say when it was hinted by the government officials that it would strengthen their arguments against Montcalm if his daughter could be persuaded to join in their revelries.
“It is quite useless,” Madame Péan declared; “she would not understand our ways. You would scare her quite away.”
But one night the revelry had attained even wilder proportions than usual. A sumptuous supper succeeded a masquerade ball. Towards morning the guests dispersed, and only about twenty intimates remained. Some one suddenly said,—
“What a joke it would be if we were to surprise Monsieur de Vaudreuil and General Montcalm at Montreal!”
There was a general laugh.
“Why not do so?” said Intendant Bigot. “We could be there in three days’ sleighing. If it would afford the ladies any pleasure, they have but to command. I am their humble servant.”
“It would cost a fortune,” said Madame Péan.
“You are growing economical, my dear,” retorted Madame Marin; “there is the king’s exchequer! I vote we do it, and we will take Mademoiselle Mercèdes with us to see her father. This gentle attention will soften the old bear, and he will not have the heart to reproach us. What do you say to my plan, Monsieur Bigot?”
“Only what I said before, that if you ladies wish it we will start at midday, reach Pointe-aux-Trembles in time for supper, sleep there, and go on the next day to St. Anne. Our next halt might be at the Isle des Castors, where Rigaud would entertain us, and finally Montreal. If you will decide at once, I will despatch couriers to have everything in readiness. What are your wishes, Madame?” he added, addressing himself to Madame Péan, whose beauty and accomplishments always ensured her the first place in every project for the general amusement.
“I am willing,” she said carelessly.