“That may be true, Barbeau,” replied the Sieur 246 grimly, “yet the words have been said, and the lady has a right to have them explained. Was there quarrel between her father and this Francois Cassion?”
“Ay, there was, and bitter, although I know nothing as to the cause. Cassion, and La Barre––he whom I now hear is Governor of New France––were alike opposed to Captain la Chesnayne, and but for reports they made he would have been the colonel. He struck Cassion in the mess tent, and they were to fight the very morning the Iroquois met us at Bois le Blanc. ’Twas the talk of the men that the captain was shot from behind.”
“By Cassion?”
“That I cannot say; yet the bullet entered behind the ear, for I was first to reach him, and he had no other enemy in the Regiment Carignan-Salliers. The feeling against M. Cassion was so strong that he resigned in a few months. You never heard this?”
I could not answer, but stood silent with bowed head. I felt De Artigny place his hand on my shoulder.
“The lady did not know,” he said gravely, as though he felt the necessity of an explanation. “She was at school in a convent at Quebec, and no rumor reached her. She is thankful to you for what you have said, Barbeau, and can trust you as her father’s friend and comrade. May I tell him the truth, 247 Madame? The man may have other information of value.”
I looked at the soldier, and his eyes were grave and honest.
“Yes,” I answered, “it can do no harm.”
De Artigny’s hand was still on my shoulder, but his glance did not seek my face.
“There is some low trick here, Barbeau,” he began soberly, “but the details are not clear. Madame has trusted me as a friend, and confided all she knows, and I will tell the facts to you as I understand them. False reports were made to France regarding Captain la Chesnayne. We have not learned what they were, or who made them, but they were so serious that Louis, by royal decree, issued order that his estates revert to the crown. Later La Chesnayne’s friends got the ear of the King, no doubt through Frontenac, ever loyal to him, and by royal order the estates were restored to his ownership. This order of restoration reached Quebec soon after La Barre was appointed Governor, and was never made public. It was suppressed by someone, and La Chesnayne was killed three months later, without knowing that he had won the favor of the King.”