They rose at once and
exchanged greetings. Robert, although he did not trust them, felt that
they had no cause of quarrel with the two, and it was no part of his
character to be brusque or seek trouble.
De Courcelles gave them a swift, comprehensive glance, and then said,
as if they were chance visitors to Quebec:
"You've arrived ahead of us, I see, and as I learn, you find the Marquis
Duquesne away. Perhaps, if your letters are urgent, you would care to
present them to the Intendant, Monsieur Bigot, a man of great perception
and judgment."
Robert turned his examining look with interest. Was he also one of
Bigot's men, or did he incline to the cause of the _honnetes gens?_ Or,
even if he were not one of Bigot's followers, did he prefer that
Robert's mission should fail through a delivery of his letters to the
wrong man? Bigot certainly was not one with whom the English could deal
easily, since so far as Robert could learn he was wrapped in the folds
of a huge conceit.
"We might do that," the youth replied, "but I don't think it's quite
proper.
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