He came directly up to where Angélique sate, and, bowing low, answered her lively greeting with his winning smile, and I could almost catch the soft tones of his voice where I stood.
Presently she rose, and dismissing her court with a laughing bow, they moved down the room together, and as they did so my love followed them, sweeping all doubts aside, and I fell to defending him against myself with all my soul. I had never read that letter aright. Should I not have remembered that such a man could never hurt a woman? It was an impossibility for him to have written me direct; and had he not, through the very hands of my enemy, sent me effective warning not to intrust myself to his treacherous guidance?—“Keep the lady claiming to be my wife at such, a distance that I may never set eyes on her again.” Could anything be plainer or better conceived? If he had denied being married, his letter could have carried no message for me, and would have placed me in even a worse position. It was through my own pride and stupidity that I had blundered into denying the marriage, and so had thrown myself into the power of Sarennes.
“Good-evening, mademoiselle,” whispered a voice; and I faced about, trembling with sudden terror, to find M. de Sarennes close behind me.
“Good-evening, mademoiselle,” he repeated, smiling at my dismay. “You did not expect to see me?”
“I did not know you were in Quebec,” I gasped, trying hard to recover my self-control.
“Nor did any one else, save your friend M. de Montcalm; I arrived an hour ago.”
“How did you know I was here?” I asked, to gain time.
“I guessed whither you had been drawn when I did not find you at the house, and a crown to the right lackey brought me here. And now, with your permission, we will finish that conversation your friend the Jesuit interrupted more than six months ago. No, you dare not cry out; and see, I have the key. You are more alone with me here than in the woods at Beaulieu,” and he smiled with an air of triumph that made me desperate.
“It is useless to attempt to frighten me, monsieur,” I said, boldly. “I am among friends.”