ley of execrations, which
were replied to by angry oaths and threats of the cavaliers as they
galloped across the Place d'Armes and rode pell-mell into the gateway of
the Chateau of St. Louis.

The crowd, relieved of their presence, grew calm; and some of the more
timid of them got apprehensive of the consequences of this outrage upon
the Royal Intendant. They dispersed quietly, singly or in groups, each
one hoping that he might not be called upon to account for the day's
proceedings.

The Intendant and his cortege of friends rode furiously into the
courtyard of the Chateau of St. Louis, dishevelled, bespattered, and
some of them hatless. They dismounted, and foaming with rage, rushed
through the lobbies, and with heavy trampling of feet, clattering
of scabbards, and a bedlam of angry tongues, burst into the Council
Chamber.

The Intendant's eyes shot fire. His Gascon blood was at fever heat,
flushing his swarthy cheek like the purple hue of a hurricane. He rushed
at once to the council-table, and seeing the Governor, saluted him, but
spoke in tones forcibly kept under by a violent effort.

"Your Excellency and gentlemen of the Council will excuse our delay,"
shouted Bigot, "when I inform you that I, the Royal Intendant of New
France, have been insulted, pelted, and my very life threatened by a
seditious mob congregated in the streets of Quebec."

"I grieve much, and sympathize with your Excellency's indignation,"
replied the Governor warmly; "I rejoice you have escaped unhurt. I
despatched the troops to your assistance, but have not yet learned the
cause of the riot."

"The cause of the riot was the popular hatred of myself for enforcing
the royal ordinances, and the seditious example set the rabble by the
notorious merchant, Philibert, who is at the bottom of all mischief in
New France."

The Governor looked fixedly at the Intendant, as he replied
quietly,--"The Sieur Philibert, although a merchant, is a gentleman of
birth and loyal principles, and would be the last man alive, I think, to
excite a riot. Did you see the Bourgeois, Chevalier?"

"The crowd filled the street near his magazines, cheering for the
Bourgeois and the Golden Dog. We rode up and endeavored to force our way
through. But I did not see the Bourgeois himself until the disturbance
had attained its full proportions."

"And then, your Excellency? Surely the Bourgeois was not encouraging the
mob, or participating in the riot?"

"No! I do n