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His knowledge of human nature led him at once to the conclusion that such wonderful self-possession must be the key to other admirable qualities, which, joined to the spirit which she had displayed in her defence of Captain Bouchette, convinced him that he was in the presence of one who, when occasion required, would be likely to play the part of a heroine.
General Carleton is the most soft-hearted of men." Within an hour, Bouchette returned with the necessary permits duly signed and sealed. M. Belmont and his daughter were allowed to leave the town, the reason of their departure being fully stated, and a recommendation was added to the good offices of both friends and foes.
Roderick, through delicacy, had not ventured to mention the matter to M. Belmont, but had commissioned their mutual friend, Bouchette, to do so. The Belmont house was hereafter to be closely watched, and if Batoche or any of his companions were found there, not only would they be seized, but M. Belmont himself would be arrested and tried by court martial.
Sieur Sarpy made a solemn gesture of deprecation. "Are you serious, Batoche?" he asked. "Serious?" said the old man with that wild strange look characteristic of his preternatural moods. "Bouchette is safe." "Not from me." "He is well guarded." "I will break through any guard." "But you cannot enter the town." "I can enter whenever I like." "When inside, you will not be able to come out."
This, however, did not prevent him, from the comparative obscurity of the corner which he occupied, closely watching the features of the visitor, and studying all his movements. At length, at a convenient turn of the conversation, M. Belmont inquired of his friend what the news of the day might be. "Oh, nothing that I know of," replied Bouchette promptly, and quite unconcernedly.
This reminded her of the visit of Bouchette, and from that point her mind travelled backwards to all the scenes, and their concomitants, of which she had of late been the witness.
Batoche made a movement to rise, but his companion stopped him abruptly. "Do not stir," he said. "Your presence may be useful." Bouchette came striding in boisterously and in the fullest good humour. He embraced his old friend with effusion, and accepted the introduction to Batoche in a genial, off-hand fashion.
Recovering himself, he too rose abruptly from his seat, bringing his right arm down with a bang upon his thigh, and muttering a few inarticulate words. The wine was quaffed with pledges and bons mots. A second round of glasses was indulged in, and when the interview closed at length, Bouchette thundered out of the house as heartily as he had entered it.
Zulma listened eagerly to these details, which she had not heard before. Sieur Sarpy's single remark was: "Wonderful!" "And do you know who piloted him?" "Captain Bouchette, I believe." "Yes, Joseph Bouchette. And what is Joseph Bouchette?" "A French Canadian!" exclaimed Zulma, unable to contain herself. "Aye, mademoiselle, a French Canadian.
He had powerful friends in Lieutenant-Governor Cramahé, Captain Bouchette, and Roderick Hardinge, but the force of circumstances might render their interposition unavailable. M. Belmont did not know how much truth there was in all this. But, according as the siege progressed, spirits within the town were getting terribly excited, and he really could not tell what might happen.
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