"My first rebuff was from that gentlemanly philosopher from Sweden,
a great friend of the Governor, you know. But, alas, I might as
well have tried to fascinate an iceberg! I do not believe that he
knew, after a half-hour's conversation with me, whether I was man or
woman. That was defeat number one."

"And what was number two?" Amelie was now thoroughly interested in
Angelique's gossip.

"I left the dry, unappreciative philosopher, and devoted myself to
charm the handsome Colonel Philibert. He was all wit and courtesy,
but my failure was even more signal with him than with the cold
Swede."

Amelie's eyes gave a sparkle of joy, which did not escape Angelique,
but she pretended not to see it. "How was that? Tell me, pray, how
you failed with Colonel Philibert?"

"My cause of failure would not be a lesson for you, Amelie. Listen!
I got a speedy introduction to Colonel Philibert, who, I confess, is
one of the handsomest men I ever saw. I was bent on attracting
him."

"For shame, Angelique! How could you confess to aught so
unwomanly!" There was a warmth in Amelie's tone that was less
noticed by herself than by her companion.

"Well, it is my way of conquering the King's army. I shot my whole
quiver of arrows at Colonel Philibert, but, to my chagrin, hit not a