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"Did Monsieur Bronck, before he died, tell you his intention to do this?" pressed Marie, feeling less interest in the Dutch embalmer's method than in the sinuous motive of a man who could leave such a bequest. "Yes, madame." "I do marvel at such an act!" murmured the lady of St. John, challenging Jonas Bronck's loyal widow to take up his instant defense.
And here Madame Bronck and I have taken the air on winter days when we felt sure of its not blowing us away. But you need not look sad over our pleasures, monsieur. We have had many a sally out of this fort, and monsieur the priest will tell you there is great freedom on snowshoes." "Madame Bronck has allowed herself little freedom since I came to Fort St. John," observed Van Corlaer.
Le Rossignol crawled reluctantly up to stand in her dots of moccasins. "Yes, your highness" "Ladyship," repeated Claude La Tour's widow, to whom the sting was forever fresh, reminding her of a once possible regency. "But have you heard about the woman that was brought into the fortress before Madame Bronck went away?" "What of her?" "The Swiss says she comes from D'Aulnay."
"I have noticed he draws one's heart," laughed Marie. "He does. It is like witchcraft. He sets me afloat so that I lose my feet and have scarce any will of my own. I never was so disturbed by my husband Jonas Bronck," complained Antonia. "Did you love your husband?" inquired Marie. "We always love our husbands, madame. Mynheer Bronck was very good to me."
The woman of larger knowledge did not argue against this credulity. Antonia was of the provinces, bred out of their darkest hours of superstition and savage danger. But it was easy to see how Jonas Bronck's hand must hold his widow from second marriage. What lover could she ask to share her monthly gaze upon it, and thus half realize the continued fleshly existence of Jonas Bronck?
I was not more than sixteen, besides being an orphan, and Mynheer Bronck was above fifty, yet he married me, and became the best husband in the colony. He was far from putting me in such states as Mynheer Van Corlaer does." "The difference is that you love Monsieur Corlaer." "Do not speak that word, madame." "Would you have him marry another woman?"
Some sign from the lady of the fortress recalled Van Corlaer to his duty as a guest. The supper grew cold while he parleyed. So he turned quickly to take the chair she had set for him, and saw that Antonia was gone. "Madame Bronck will return," said Marie, pitying his chagrin, and searching her own mind for Antonia's excuse.
The monk's frock will scarce feel lonesome in that part of our tower now: we have had two Jesuits to lodge there since you left." "Did they carry away Madame Bronck? I do not see her among your women." "She is fortunate, Edelwald. A man loved her, and traveled hither from the Orange settlement. They were wed five days ago, and set out with the Jesuits to Montreal."
"You may come with me and be my resolution, Antonia; for I have to set about the unlocking of boxes which hold some sacred clothes." "I never saw you lack courage, madame, since I have known you." "Therein have I deceived you then," said Marie, throwing her cloak on Zélie's arm, "for I am a most cowardly creature in my affections, Madame Bronck." They moved toward the stairs.
Besides, the priest we have here with us himself admits that the town of Montreal is little to look upon. Ville-Marie though it be named by the papists, what is it but a cluster of huts in the wilderness?" "I was six months preparing to be wedded to Mynheer Bronck," remembered Antonia. "And will Monsieur Corlaer return here from Montreal?" "No, madame. He will carry me with him."
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