"I think so."
"Well, if you are not sure of it, Jacques, go down and tell that
engineer to enliven his exasperating machinery. Make everything turn
faster, or I shall jump into the sea and swim ahead. It is of a slowness
to rend the nerves."
Jacques Lafenestre moved away to carry out this order. From his youth up
he had served this lady and her parents. And when the father, for
excellent reasons, left France in haste and came into the wilderness,
the old servant followed. Later on he settled in Quebec as keeper of an
inn. And ever since that day he had maintained communication with his
master.
As the Princess walked impatiently up and down the deck, erect and with
elastic tread, often looking at her watch and frowning, she gave the
impression of a commanding little person, much accustomed to having her
own way--and with no talent for resignation. And when, a few moments
later, another individual appeared upon the deck, a tall, thin,
dark-robed ecclesiastic, evidently of high degree, with fine features
and a stately bearing, she hastened to express her annoyance. To his
polite greeting she replied rapidly:
"Good-morning, your Grace; but tell me, did you ever see anything like
this boat? Did you ever imagine a thing could crawl with such a
slowness--such a slowness? I shall die of it! I believe the screw is
working backwards."
The Archbishop smiled,--that is, his mouth lengthened, for mirth and he
were strangers,--"But it seems to me we move, Princess, and quite
rapidly."
"Rapidly! Well, never mind. Time and the wind will get us there. But why
are you up so early? This is an hour when gentlemen are abed."
"I could not sleep."
"Ah, the misfortune! For you may have a hard day. Remember, you are to
do your best, and use your strongest arguments. You will need them. My
father is wilful."
"Have no fears, Princess, I shall do all in my power, for the cause
seems righteous. The Duc de Fontrevault is, as you say, too old a man to
be left alone under such conditions."
"Surely! And you are the one of all others to convince him. He will not
listen to the rest of us. And don't fail to impress upon him his duty to
his family. That is your strongest point, is it not?"
"Yes, and that now he can return with safety."
She shook her head. "No, do not rely too much on that, for he loves his
wilderness. And he has known for a long time all danger was past. Better
attack his conscience, and his sense of duty."
"As you say, Princess. And I shall spare no effort."
"Then you will succeed." And looking up with a smile, "You could
convince anybody of anything, dear Archbishop. A few words from you, if
you could only get him alone, and the devil himself would turn over a
new leaf--perhaps join the Church. Who knows?"
For these sentiments his Grace had no responsive smile. This lady from
Paris, while a good Catholic, seemed to have so little reverence for
certain sanctities that he was always on his guard. Her nature was not
of the sort he preferred to deal with. There were too many conflicting
elements. No one could tell with precision just when she was serious or
when she was having a little fun. And, moreover, the dignity of an
archbishop was not a thing to be compromised. But she was a _grande
dame_, a person of great influence--also of great wealth and a free
giver. And the Archbishop was no fool.
As they rounded the promontory and came in sight of the bay the emotion
of the Princess was apparent. Impatiently she walked the deck. With the
sun once fairly above the water, the little point of land at the farther
end of the bay showed clearly in the morning light.
She beckoned the old servant to her side.
"There it is, Jacques! I see distinctly the cottage, a little mass of
green against the shadows of the pines. And surely there is smoke from
the chimney! My father is an early riser; already up and cooking his
breakfast. Is it not so, Jacques?"
"Yes, I do not doubt Monsieur le Duc cooks his breakfast at this
moment."
"What enormous trees!" she went on. "Beautiful, beautiful! And they
stretch away forever. An ocean of pines! I had forgotten they were so
tall--so gigantic. How many minutes now, Jacques, before we arrive?"
Jacques frowned and shrugged his heavy shoulders. "I shall not tell
you."
"Wicked old man!"
And again, through her glass, she studied the coast.
He had carried this lady in his arms before she could walk; he had
superintended, in a way, her childhood; and so, like many old servants
in France, he was not expected to bear in mind, at all times, certain
differences in birth.
With a fresh enthusiasm she exclaimed: "And there, down below, to the
right, is the little beach--the ravishing little beach! How I loved it!
Here, take the glasses, Jacques, and regard it."