Part 35 (1/2)
In this paper Germain had secured the apparent attestation of his claims by many of the princ.i.p.al younger _n.o.blesse_ of the country. He made off with it to St. Elphege, where he spent a week, drawing from his mother a crowd of tales about the de Lerys and the LeGardeurs, which had been gossiped around her when she was housekeeper to Governor de Beauharnois.
Then, under excuse of pressing business in France, he left St. Elphege again.
CHAPTER x.x.xVII
ONCE MORE THE SWORD
The widow Langlois was surprised to see her lodger return so soon to Quebec. He saw quickly that she was dying of curiosity, and concluded that he and his affairs had been the subject of town gossip since his departure. He therefore contrived to give her an occasion to talk to him.
”There are certain malicious stories going about,” she said to him tentatively, ”which I have been thinking very ungracious on the part of our people.”
”Ah, yes, Quebec is always the same little hole. Do these stories relate to me?”
”I admit it with shame, Monsieur, and our Quebec, as you say, is a little hole. Quebec people have nothing to talk about but the strangers.”
”What can they invent about _me_? Have I scandalised your house or ill-conducted myself at the Castle? G.o.d's-death! you promise me entertainment. It will make this dull village amusing to hear the product of their gigantic imaginations. Begin, I entreat you.”
”Some say you are not a Bodyguard, sir.”
”Ha, that is news; I shall have to tell that to Lady Dorchester. These good judges know so much more of the Court of France than she does. What else?”
”It is alleged that you are no n.o.ble, your father being the Merchant of St. Elphege.”
”Yes? My father's parchment t.i.tles would answer that. I will take the occasion later on to show them to you.”
”And that you carried in France the name of the Marquis de Repentigny.”
”Who is the author of these tales, if you know him?” he said with dignity. ”What source first spread them among the people, for such things have always an instigator?”
”I would prefer not to tell, Monsieur.”
However, by a little flattery he won the point. She told him how her brother-in-law, the Merchant Langlois, of Mountain Hill, had heard at his own shop, from Madame de Lery herself, that a letter had been received from Paris relating the doings of a young Canadian calling himself de Repentigny, but who was identified by two other Canadians as young Lecour of St. Elphege, and afterwards how he had fought with Louis de Lery, of the Bodyguard, and nearly killed him, and had departed for Canada in disgrace.
”And it is most maliciously reported,” added Madame Langlois, ”that you, sir, are without doubt the person in question.”
”Madame,” exclaimed he, rising abruptly, as cold as an icicle, ”I shall see to this immediately.”
The widow was frightened.
”I entreat you say nothing of this to Madame de Lery,” she cried in distress.
”On that point you have the word of honour of a French officer,” he replied.
As he hastily dressed himself he muttered, ”Something radical now.”
He went, without delaying, to the de Lery mansion and was admitted face to face with the Councillor.
The house was a long, low, old-fas.h.i.+oned one, covered externally with dark blue mortar in French provincial style, and internally presenting every appearance of hospitality and comfort. The parlours in which Germain was shown into the presence of the owner were hung about with mellowed tapestry, and their doors and windows were open, leading out upon a gallery and thence into a luxuriant garden. The old Councillor, a fine-looking man, frank, hospitable, and perfectly bred, welcomed Germain with a kindly manner just tinged with a shade of curiosity, and awaited mention of his business.