never pass through the streets but I
see her."

"Ay, that is because she intends to meet your Excellency!" Bigot looked
sharply at De Pean. A new thought flashed in his eyes.

"What! think you she makes a point of it, De Pean?"

"I think she would not go out of the way of your Excellency." De Pean
shuffled among his papers, but his slight agitation was noticed by the
Intendant.

"Hum! is that your thought, De Pean? Looks she in this quarter?" Bigot
meditated with his hand on his chin for a moment or two. "You think she
is doubtless at home this morning?" added he.

"It was late when De Repentigny left her last night, and she would
have long and pleasant dreams after that visit, I warrant," replied the
Secretary.

"How do you know? By St. Picot! You watch her closely, De Pean!"

"I do, your Excellency: I have reason," was the reply.

De Pean did not say what his reason for watching Angelique was; neither
did Bigot ask. The Intendant cared not to pry into the personal matters
of his friends. He had himself too much to conceal not to respect the
secrets of his associates.

"Well, De Pean! I will wait on Mademoiselle des Meloises this morning.
I will act on your suggestion, and trust I shall not find her
unreasonable."

"I hope your Excellency will not find her unreasonable, but I know you
will, for if ever the devil of contradiction was in a woman he is in
Angelique des Meloises!" replied De Pean savagely, as if he spoke from
some experience of his own.

"Well, I will try to cast out that devil by the power of a still
stronger one. Ring for my horse, De Pean!"

The Secretary obeyed and ordered the horse. "Mind, De Pean!" continued
the Intendant. "The Board of the Grand Company meet at three for
business! actual business! not a drop of wine upon the table, and all
sober! not even Cadet shall come in if he shows one streak of the grape
on his broad face. There is a storm of peace coming over us, and it is
necessary to shorten sail, take soundings, and see where we are, or we
may strike on a rock."

The Intendant left the palace attended by a couple of equerries. He rode
through the palace gate and into the city. Habitans and citizens bowed
to him out of habitual respect for their superiors. Bigot returned their
salutations with official brevity, but his dark face broke into sunshine
as he passed ladies and citizens whom he knew as partners of the Grand
Company or partizans of his own faction.

As he rode