To-morrow is Fools' Day."
"Why, then, do not those on yonder ship sail to-morrow instead of
to-day?"
"You were not always so bitter."
"I must have my jest. To-morrow may have its dupes as well as its
fools. . . . Silence! The Comte d'Herouville in Rochelle? I am lost
if he sees me. Let us go!" And Madame de Brissac dragged her
companion back into the crowd. "That man here? Anne, you must hide me
well."
"Why do you ask about the gloomy ship which is to take me to Quebec?"
asked Anne, her curiosity aroused of a sudden.
Madame put a finger against her lips. "I shall tell you presently.
Just now I must find a hiding place immediately. He must not know that
I am here. He must have traced me here. Oh! am I not in trouble
enough without that man rising up before me? I am afraid of him, Anne."
The two soon gained their chairs and disappeared. Neither of them saw
the count go on board the ship.
On board all was activity. There came a lurch, a straining of ropes
and a creaking of masts, and the good ship Saint Laurent swam out to
sea. Suddenly the waters trembled and the air shook: the king's
man-of-war had fired the admiral's salute.
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