ion, but was not
sorry to see her aunt and the Bishop and Father de Berey approaching.

"Quick," said she to Angelique, "smooth your hair, and compose your
looks. Here comes my aunt and the Bishop--Father de Berey too!"

Angelique prepared at once to meet them, and with her wonderful power
of adaptation transformed herself in a moment into a merry creature, all
light and gaiety. She saluted the Lady de Tilly and the reverend Bishop
in the frankest manner, and at once accepted an interchange of wit and
laughter with Father de Berey.

"She could not remain long, however, in the Church's company," she said,
"she had her morning calls to finish." She kissed the cheek of Amelie
and the hand of the Lady de Tilly, and with a coquettish courtesy to the
gentlemen, leaped nimbly into her caleche, whirled round her spirited
horses like a practised charioteer, and drove with rapid pace down
the crowded street of St. John, the observed of all observers, the
admiration of the men and the envy of the women as she flashed by.

Amelie and the Lady de Tilly, having seen a plenteous meal distributed
among their people, proceeded to their city home--their seigniorial
residence, when they chose to live in the capital.

CHAPTER V. THE ITINERANT NOTARY.

Master Jean Le Nocher the sturdy ferryman's patience had been severely
tried for a few days back, passing the troops of habitans over the St.
Charles to the city of Quebec. Being on the King's corvee, they claimed
the privilege of all persons in the royal service: they travelled
toll-free, and paid Jean with a nod or a jest in place of the small coin
which that worthy used to exact on ordinary occasions.

This morning had begun auspiciously for Jean's temper however. A King's
officer, on a gray charger, had just crossed the ferry; and without
claiming the exemption from toll which was the right of all wearing the
King's uniform, the officer had paid Jean more than his fee in solid
coin and rode on his way, after a few kind words to the ferryman and a
polite salute to his wife Babet, who stood courtesying at the door of
their cottage.

"A noble gentleman that, and a real one!" exclaimed Jean, to his buxom,
pretty wife, "and as generous as a prince! See what he has given me."
Jean flipped up a piece of silver admiringly, and then threw it into the
apron of Babet, which she spread out to catch it.

Babet rubbed the silver piece caressingly between her fingers and upon
her cheek.