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Updated: May 28, 2025
Vaguely I comprehended that I was no longer Adele la Chesnayne, but the wife of that man I followed. A word, a muttered prayer, an uplifted hand, had made me his slave, his vassal. Nothing could break the bond between us save death. I might hate, despise, revile, but the bond held. This thought grew clearer as my mind readjusted itself, and the full horror of the situation took possession of me.
I was a La Chesnayne to whom honor was a religion; a Catholic bowing humbly to the vow of Holy Church; a Frenchwoman taught that marriage was a sacred rite. The knowledge of my love for De Artigny brought me more fear than pleasure. I dare not dream, or hope; I must escape his presence while I retained moral strength to resist temptation.
Cassion, and La Barre he whom I now hear is Governor of New France were alike opposed to Captain la Chesnayne, and but for reports they made he would have been the colonel. He struck Cassion in the mess tent, and they were to fight the very morning the Iroquois met us at Bois le Blanc. 'Twas the talk of the men that the captain was shot from behind." "By Cassion?"
"You the daughter of Captain la Chesnayne," he exclaimed, the words bursting forth uncontrolled, "and married to Cassion! how can this be?" "You knew him then my father?" "Ay, Madame; I was with him at the Richelieu, at the village of the Mohawks; and at Bois le Blanc, where he died. I am Jacques Barbeau, a soldier for twenty years; did he not speak to you of me?"
"I am the daughter of Captain la Chesnayne, whom the Sieur de Artigny hath taken under his protection." "La Chesnayne's daughter! Ah, I heard the story told in Quebec 'twas La Barre's aid who gave me the facts with many a chuckle as though he held it an excellent joke. But why are you here, Madame? Is not M. Cassion in the fort yonder?"
I am Adele la Chesnayne; if you doubt, the way of discovery is open without word from me." His suspicious, doubting eyes never left my face, and there was sneer in his voice as he answered. "Bah! I am not in love to be played with by a witch. Perchance 'tis not easy for you to lie. Well, we will see. Look within the alcove, Cassion."
Monsieur Cassion surely I am not in error that you informed me of your engagement to Mademoiselle la Chesnayne?" "She has been pledged me in marriage, Monsieur the banns published." I sat with bowed head, my cheeks flaming. "'Tis then as I understood," La Barre went on, chuckling. "The lady is over modest." "I have made no pledge," I broke in desperately.
It read: "Use your discretion as to De Artigny, but violence will hardly be safe; he is thought too well of by La Salle, and that fox may get Louis' ear again. We had best be cautious. Chevet, however, has no friends, and, I am told, possesses a list of the La Chesnayne property, and other documents which had best be destroyed. Do not fail in this, nor fear results.
False reports were made to France regarding Captain la Chesnayne. We have not learned what they were, or who made them, but they were so serious that Louis, by royal decree, issued order that his estates revert to the crown. Later La Chesnayne's friends got the ear of the King, no doubt through Frontenac, ever loyal to him, and by royal order the estates were restored to his ownership.
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