your aunt. People would laugh at
my consulting La Corriveau, like a simple habitan girl; what would the
world say?"

"But the world need not know, my Lady. Aunt Josephte knows secrets,
they say, that would ruin, burn, and hang half the ladies of Paris. She
learned those terrible secrets from her mother, but she keeps them safe
in those close lips of hers. Not the faintest whisper of one of them has
ever been heard by her nearest neighbor. Indeed, she has no gossips, and
makes no friends, and wants none. Aunt Josephte is a safe confidante, my
Lady, if you wish to consult her."

"I have heard she is clever, supernatural, terrible, this aunt of
yours! But I could not go to St. Valier for advice and help; I could not
conceal my movements like a plain habitan girl."

"No, my Lady," continued Fanchon, "it is not fitting that you should go
to Aunt Josephte. I will bring Aunt Josephte here to you. She will be
charmed to come to the city and serve a lady like you."

"Well,--no! it is not well, but ill! but I want to recover my jewels, so
go for your aunt, and bring her back with you. And mind, Fanchon!" said
Angelique, lifting a warning finger, "if you utter one word of your
errand to man or beast, or to the very trees of the wayside, I will cut
out your tongue, Fanchon Dodier!"

Fanchon trembled and grew pale at the fierce look of her mistress. "I
will go, my Lady, and I will keep silent as a fish!" faltered the maid.
"Shall I go immediately?"

"Immediately if you will! It is almost day, and you have far to go. I
will send old Gujon the butler to order an Indian canoe for you. I will
not have Canadian boatmen to row you to St. Valier: they would talk you
out of all your errand before you were half-way there. You shall go
to St. Valier by water, and return with La Corriveau by land. Do you
understand? Bring her in to-night, and not before midnight. I will leave
the door ajar for you to enter without noise; you will show her at once
to my apartment, Fanchon! Be wary, and do not delay, and say not a word
to mortal!"

"I will not, my Lady. Not a mouse shall hear us come in!" replied
Fanchon, quite proud now of the secret understanding between herself and
her mistress.

"And again mind that loose tongue of yours! Remember, Fanchon, I will
cut it out as sure as you live if you betray me."

"Yes, my Lady!" Fanchon's tongue felt somewhat paralyzed under the
threat of Angelique, and she bit it painfully as if to remind it of