“And there is Mademoiselle de Granville, my lord’s half-sister, but nobody else to wait upon. For Sieur des Ormeaux, when not at his fortress, may go on expeditions. We never yet took refuge at Montreal from the Indians, so strong is St. Bernard. The house is of rock cemented together and built against a rock. Do you ever drink brandy, mademoiselle?”
“I, monsieur! Never in my life!”
“That must be a good thing in a woman,” commented Jacques, with a nod of satisfaction.
“Are you at all thriftless or lazy, monsieur?” the demure girl took her turn to inquire.
“No, mademoiselle; I make my clothes do year after year. And had you seen the frozen fish and eels, the venison, the cabbage, beets, and onions I stored in our cellar for winter, you would not ask if I am lazy.”
Louise smiled her bashful approval upon him, and said in explanation:
“I should not like a thriftless, lazy husband.”
“Mademoiselle, we are cut out of the same caribou-skin, and match like a pair of moccasins. Shall we go to the notary?”
“If you wish, monsieur.”