But what had put the severest strain upon the modesty of Pontiac was the fact that, on the morrow of Madelinette's first triumph in Paris, she had married M.
Louis Racine, the new Seigneur of Pontiac.
What more could Pontiac wish?
It had been rewarded for its mistakes; it had not even been chastened, save that it was marked Suspicious as to its loyalty, at the headquarters of the English Government in Quebec.

It should have worn a crown of thorns, but it flaunted a crown of roses.

A most unreasonable good fortune seemed to pursue it.

It had been led to expect that its new Seigneur would be an Englishman, one George Fournel, to whom, as the late Seigneur had more than once declared, the property was devised by will; but at his death no will had been found, and Louis Racine, the direct heir in blood, had succeeded to the property and the title.
Brilliant, enthusiastic, fanatically French, the new Seigneur had set himself to revive certain old traditions, customs, and privileges of the Seigneurial position.

He was reactionary, seductive, generous, and at first he captivated the hearts of Pontiac.