affair ever got
up in New France. All Quebec has rung with nothing else for a fortnight,
and every milliner and modiste in the city has gone almost insane over
the superlative costumes to be worn there."

"And it is to be the most select in its character," chimed in Madame
Couillard; "all gentry and noblesse, not one of the bourgeois to
be invited. That class, especially the female portion of them, give
themselves such airs nowadays! As if their money made them company for
people of quality! They must be kept down, I say, or--"

"And the Royal Intendant quite agrees with the general sentiment of the
higher circles," responded Madame de Grandmaison. "He is for keeping
down--"

"Noblesse! Noblesse!" The Lady de Tilly spoke with visible impatience.
"Who is this Royal Intendant who dares cast a slight upon the worthy,
honest bourgeoisie of this city? Is he noble himself? Not that I would
think worse of him were he not, but I have heard it disputed. He is the
last one who should venture to scorn the bourgeoisie."

Madame de Grandmaison fanned herself in a very stately manner. "Oh, my
Lady, you surely forget! The Chevalier Bigot is a distant relative of
the Count de Marville, and the Chevalier de Grandmaison is a constant
visitor at the Intendant's! But he would not have sat at his table an
hour had he not known that he was connected with the nobility. The Count
de Marville--"

"The Count de Marville!" interrupted the Lady de Tilly, whose politeness
almost gave way. "Truly, a man is known by the company he keeps. No
credit to any one to be connected with the Count de Marville."

Madame de Grandmaison felt rather subdued. She perceived that the Lady
de Tilly was not favorably impressed towards the Intendant. But she
tried again: "And then, my Lady, the Intendant is so powerful at Court.
He was a particular friend of Madame d'Etioles before she was known
at Court, and they say he managed her introduction to the King at the
famous masked ball at the Hotel de Ville, when His Majesty threw
his handkerchief at her, and she became first dame du palais and the
Marquise de Pompadour. She has ever remained his firm friend, and in
spite of all his enemies could do to prevent it His Majesty made him
Intendant of New France."

"In spite of all the King's friends could do, you mean," replied the
Lady de Tilly, in a tone the sound of which caught the ear of Amelie,
and she knew her aunt was losing patience with her visitors. Lady d