human
I now, sir, do myself the additional honour of presenting to you my felicitations upon the happy event which has doubtless brought you to Paris.
gpt
Dear nephew, it is the serious state of our possessions in India, owing to the advances of the English there, that brings me to France. Perhaps I misunderstand.
human
I mean, sir, the addition to our family alliances of a Montmorency.
gpt
Indeed, I am unaware of such a distinction. Pray inform me. I have so lately arrived.
human
Is it so lately, sir, that you have not heard of the forthcoming marriage of your son, my cousin, with Madame the Baroness de la Roche Vernay? Pardon, if you please, my surprise.
gpt
Still more mysterious to me! Of a certainty, my son Charles, your cousin, is at this moment with his vessel and the Biscay fleet off the coast of Portugal. I do not understand the chance which can have brought him to Paris, however much I desire it, nor his alliance to any one here, for I saw him in person three weeks ago at Lisbon, where he never made the slightest reference to any such matter. There is some mistake, I am certain.
human
Is he not the only Chevalier de Répentigny?
gpt
There, can be but one of the name. It is rare.
human
Has he not been lately appointed to a lieutenancy in the King's Bodyguard, company of Noailles?
gpt
Impossible. I left him captain of the ship _La Minerve_. He has not, I regret to say, the influence to become an officer of the Bodyguard.
human
This is something strange, remarked the Marquis de Lotbinière.
gpt
Did you inquire who this officer was? Suppose, Répentigny, he should be some distant relative of yours: he might be an addition to our influence at Court. An officer of the Bodyguard, if we can claim him as a relative, would be better than any alliance we possess, except Vaudreuil, who does nothing for us.
human
There can be no harm in Louis making inquiries.
gpt
I will call upon him. Trust _me_ to find some connection and make use of it.
human
Are you still the marvel you were at genealogies, Michel!
gpt
Genealogy is a power. Louis, I am interested in this new relative. Can you tell us more about him? Do you know his Province?
human
He is said to be a Canadian.
gpt
A Canadian! Does he say so himself?
human
So report goes.
gpt
Astonishing. How could any Canadian but de Vaudreuil--who owes it to his exceptional gifts--acquire such influence?
human
They say this Sieur de Répentigny is extraordinarily handsome and agreeable.
gpt
But his name! There are so few Canadian families, you can almost count them on your fingers--Fleurys, Bleurys, de Lérys, de Lanaudières, le Gardeurs, le Moynes, Beaujeus, Lotbinières, la Cornes, Salaberrys, and so forth. Can he be of these? He is not a le Gardeur, who alone in Canada could have a right to the appellation 'Répentigny.' Have you heard his family name?
human
He calls himself 'Le Cour de Répentigny.'
gpt
Heavens, I have it!
human
What, Uncle.
gpt
He is an _impostor_. No Canadian named Lecour can be what he pretends--nay, not even a petty gentleman, for I know the whole list by heart to its obscurest members. No Lecour whatever is on it. Who of that name is at Répentigny? Only the merchant of St. Elphège, my old _protégé_. Can it be any of his people! What is the appearance of this fellow?
human
He is about middle height, cheerful, graceful, hair and eyes black.
gpt
It is that well-looking boy of Lecour's--no other. His father would kill himself if he heard of his son duping the highest circles of Versailles. Poor man, he was the least of the very least when I knew him first--a private in my corps. I made him keeper of the canteen. How can the son of such a one be more than a 'pea-soup.' What insolence and folly! He shall learn that this kind of rascality is not permitted by the nobles of France. Beast! animal!
human
See that you make no mistake, Michel. If he is only some foolish young Canadian, would not a private monition be well?
gpt
There is no mistake, answered Lotbinière, decidedly.
human
As for lenient dealings, do you think that is the way to keep down the lower classes? The strong hand and the severe example are the only guarantees of social order.
gpt
Villain! The thought of him drives me beyond myself.