For after a time you will return, leaving me
behind."
"Perhaps. And yet who can say that we both may not return, only with
fame marching on ahead to announce us in that wonderfully pleasing way
she has?"
"It is your illusions that I love, Victor: I see myself again in you.
Keep to your ballades, your chant-royals, your triolets; you will write
an epic whenever you lose your illusions; and epics by Frenchmen are
dull and sorry things. When you go below tell Breton to unpack my
portmanteau."
On the wharf nearest the vessel stood two women, hooded so as to
conceal their faces.
"There, Gabrielle; you have asked to see the Chevalier du Cevennes,
that is he leaning against the railing."
"So that is the Chevalier. And he goes to Quebec. In mercy's name,
what business has he there?"
"You are hurting my arm, dear. Victor would not tell me why he goes to
Quebec."
"Ah, if he goes out of friendship for Victor, it is well."
"Is he not handsome?"
"Melancholy handsome, after the pattern of the Englishman's Hamlet. I
like a man with a bright face. When does the Henri IV sail?" suddenly.
"Two weeks from to-morrow.
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