She was fresh, volatile, without affectation or pride, and had a
temperament responsive to every phase of life's simple interests. She
took the attention of the young men a little bit as her due, but yet
without conceit. The gallants had come about her like bees, for there was
Jean Jacques' many businesses and his reputation for wealth; and there
was her own charm, concerning which there could be far less doubt than
about Jean Jacques' magnificent solvency.
Zoe had gone heart-whole and with no especial preference for any young
man, until the particular person came, the Man from Outside.
His name was Gerard Fynes, and his business was mumming. He was a young
lawyer turned actor, and he had lived in Montreal before he went on the
stage. He was English--that was a misfortune; he was an actor--that was a
greater misfortune, for it suggested vagabondage of morals as well as of
profession; and he was a Protestant, which was the greatest misfortune of
all. But he was only at St. Saviour's for his convalescence after a
so-called attack of congestion of the lungs; and as he still had a slight
cough and looked none too robust, and as, more than all, he was simple in
his ways, enjoying the life of the parish with greater zest than the
residents, he found popularity. Undoubtedly he had a taking way with him.
He was lodging with Louis Charron, a small farmer and kinsman of Jean
Jacques, who sold whisky--"white whisky"--without a license.
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