e Serigny?" I repeated, "then I must leave you, for I would
speak with him," and I bowed myself off with what grace I could muster,
knowing naught of such matters. A brisk walk fetched me to Serigny's
side. In a few words I communicated my mission. His quick, incisive
glance took in every detail of my dress and appearance, but his
features never changed.

"Wait, my dear Captain," he drawled out, with a polite wave of his
perfumed handkerchief, "time for business after a while. Let us enjoy
the beauties of the garden."

My spirits fell. Could this be a brother of the stern Bienville, this
the man upon whom my governor's fortunes now so largely depended? His
foppish manner impressed me very disagreeably, and, in no pleasant
frame of mind, I stalked along by his side listening to the senseless
gossip of the court. We soon passed out of the gardens into the great
hall, and reached his own apartments.

No sooner was the valet dismissed and the key turned in the lock than
his face showed the keenest interest. After satisfying himself of my
identity and glancing through the packet which I now handed him, he
gave vent to an exclamation of intense relief.

"Not a day too soon, my dear Captain, not a day, not a day, not a day,"
he kept repeating over and over, looking at the different documents.
"The King promises to act on this matter in a few days, to-morrow,
probably. Chamillard is against us; he seems all powerful now; the
King loves him for his truculence. But these will help, yes, these
will help." And again he ran through the various papers with
business-like swiftness. His fashionable air and the perfumed
handkerchief were alike laid aside. Now I could see the resemblance
between him and his sturdy brother.

"To-morrow, yes, to-morrow, my lad--pardon me the familiarity, Captain
de Mouret," he apologized, waiving aside my hand raised in protest.
"To-morrow we must act. We must gain the King's own ear. These must
not go through the department of war. Chamillard will poison the
King's mind against us. Most likely they would never reach the King at
all. Louis will hardly listen to me even now."

"Then let me speak to the King," I blurted out before I thought.

"You?" he repeated in unconcealed astonishment.

"Yes, I," I replied, for I was now well into it, and determined to wade
through; besides I loved my old commander, and would venture much in
his service.

Then I told Serigny of the occurrence