A thunderstruck Empire now witnessed the greatest despondency Canada would extend its soldiers. Religious, political, and military heads across Canada pleaded for harmony. Quebec’s clergy demanded their people halt the petition of injustice. To countrywide surprise, the order was obeyed.
Canada was tearing herself asunder. The more her prestige grew in the world’s eye, the more she was divided against herself. The split between Anglophones and Francophones ever widening, government declared martial law in its two major French cities, Montreal and Quebec City. Military was brought forth to safeguard government and army establishments in both cities. Francophone troops were mandated to stay in barrack due to government mistrust. The handful of thousand soldiers sent from Ontario and the West was remarkable in light of the Corps fancy.
Habeas Corpus was adjourned. Any male who was caught part of the riots was, by Order-in-Council, conscripted. Quebec policemen denied assisting Military Service Agents to impose the new laws. Defaulters, the majority being Francophone, withdrew to forests and made do until war’s end. Federal agents scoured the dominion’s landscape for evaders. Canada and the United States entered into an agreement that any hidden conscript found south of the border would be made to return or absorbed into the American draft. Tens of thousands of defaulters were in concealment. Early April found more than four thousand evaders apprehended.
For the first time since Confederation, Quebec contemplated divorcing the country. Joseph-Napoléon Francoeur, of the Quebec Legislative Assembly, recited one of the most downhearted speeches to be uttered in Parliament, “If this House is of the opinion that the province of Quebec would be disposed to accept the breaking of the Confederation Pact of 1867 if, in the eyes of the other provinces, it is believed that she is an obstacle to the union, progress, and development of Canada.”
The “Francoeur motion” brought about rage and despair in the form of scoundrelly strikes against French Canada respecting conscription, the election, and Regulation 17, among other allies of secession. The Premier of Quebec, Sir Jean-Lomer Gouin, then arose and defended Confederation with a sparkling oration. Parliament gallantly held steadfast in denouncement of the vote, unescorted by motion. Regardless, both families were unanimous in yelling at the other, “Cowards! Traitors! Murderers!” Canada had never been so at odds with herself as when Louis Riel was executed in 1885. Borden soldiered his young country forward.
Ottawa was experiencing almost uncontrollable dread due to the Spring Offensive. At morning prayer, Auré announced his return to the front. The servants were so upset, they murmured amongst each other. Aubrey always felt comforted by his presence. Obviously, he did not feel the same towards her. She could not bring herself to ask him to stay. She had lost her son and resigned herself to most likely losing her husband, too.
That evening, Auré was in the upstairs library. Beethoven’s Sonata No. 31 was playing on the Victrola. A novel was found in his hand. He allured to brighter worlds and led the way191 was a line Aubrey made out from The Deserted Village. She was caught unawares at his leisured position. She turned to leave.
Auré said, “Aubrey, you are not getting away that easily. Iz everything alright?”
If he were in love with her, she would burst into tears and sob that every time she looked at him she thought of René, and that she desperately wanted him to stay. The knowledge of him sleeping with others was almost more than she could bear. No, her guard must never be let down.
He carried on resignedly, “Do you ever think of the jewellery I ‘ave given you? Your engagement ring perhaps? Dans les moments critiques je disais trois fois, ‘Je vous salue, Marie’192 (In critical moments I would repeat three times, “Hail, Mary”) in battle.”
Men are such simple creatures. How can he talk of material possessions at a time like this? she thought furiously. She needed to hear that she was loved.
He returned to his tall-backed chair. At feelings unreciprocated, as she left the room, she muttered, “When have you ever helped me through a hard time?” She went to her room to undress without a maid. She wanted to be left alone. It took time to take off her silk undergarments and don her matching wrap. Her corset was taken off first. Her six layers of underwear — admired ladies did not wear fewer, and the servants thought silk underwear sinful — were placed to the side. She removed the stockings last.
She had nearly pulled the wrap over her bare back when Auré spoke, “Aubrey, you may as well let that be.” She froze in fright. Then she pulled the wrap completely around her and turned to the closet entryway to face her husband. She wondered how long he had been watching her.
“I think you ought to remember yourself,” she said hotly. Even the master needed to ask permission to enter the mistress’ boudoir. A move was made to pass him. He gently took her by the arm, though she could feel how strong he was.
Her husband lowered his voice to a whisper in an uncharacteristic break in decorum, “His memory long will live alone in all our hearts193 but you don’t ‘ave to be so brave.” He finished speaking by placing his hand around her upper neck and jawline.
She stayed silent, unwilling to look him in the eye, lest her emotions overcome her. He was gone by the time she awoke. How could one so passionate not be in love? But he must care for me! she thought, confused by his sleeping with her but not beside her afterwards.
The nonchalant demeanor of her husband gave no indication of the previous evening, when he and Philippe awaited outside for Aubrey.
“Not now but in the coming years, sometime, someday we’ll understand194,” Auré spoke quietly to Philippe about his and his wife’s grief. The brothers had just come from viewing René’s grave. Auré remarked that the country was on the verge of civil war and his wife had to go shopping. “The British ‘ave gone mad letting their women vote,” Auré said in a louder manner as Aubrey approached them.
Aubrey was really going to the city to buy Larrigans as a parting gift for him. Soldiers would often stay in wallow up to the knee or the thigh for as much as forty-eight hours. After certain heavy rainfalls, soldiers could swim to the back of the lines when a trench proved evacuated. The tall moccasin was most favoured for lengthy jaunts in the trenches.
“Or has needles joined ze battle to do volunteer work?” Auré mockingly referenced the wartime dittie. He took her weepers to help her into the automobile. Aubrey’s thick white mourning cuffs were made to nab her tears. So lighthearted from the previous evening was she, not a mind was paid to his witticism. The lady’s maid was already at the milliners, re-trimming several black mushroom mourning hats with white under-rim. Aubrey would go into the city with them for the errand.
In Ottawa, by and by more residences were displaying signs that read “To let.” New dwellings were being designed with electricity in mind and without back stairscases or a below stairs. Attics were constructed solely for storage rather than servant quarters. Consistent for hundreds of years, the average property was being designed differently to accommodate the horseless carriage. Carriages were dismantled and horses sold off. Stables kept motor vehicles or became luxury quest accomodations. Coachmen were given pensions and a cottage on the estate. Stable servants were let go or became mechanics, given aristocrats were above toiling with the mechanisms of their motor cars. Estate holders were compelled to sell their stables and kennels to the now few who could continue to provide the decades-old favourite aristocratic pastime of hunting.
At the train station, the brothers said their adieux.
After they shook hands, Auré said, “Our work must be brought to a satisfactory conclusion or we die in the attempt195.”
Philippe corrected his brother and said cheerily, “Don’t see yourself killed in another man’s war.”
Auré answered, “Yet remember this, God and our good cause fight upon our side196.”
Auré had been awaiting her. Under an overcast sky, Auré helped a number of the members of the Daughters of the Empire alight or assist them to their automobiles. He went up to her as she finished relating to another member of their club about a friend of hers, “A gifted surgeon. Killed at the post of duty197.”
After all her friends departed, Auré addressed her.
“I have eh favor to ask of you, pleaze,” Auré began. Henrietta smiled at him. “While I am ehway, if you could care for Mrs. Richardieux, I would be greatly appreciative.”
“Major Richardieux, I cannot stay,” Henrietta gave a white lie, wishing to avoid the subject.
“Pleaze, Mrs. Smith.”
Such a generous donation from Richardieux was given to the Daughters of the Empire, Henrietta felt she could do nothing but relent.
“All our beauty and peace and joy we owe to lads like you198,” she said simply, conceding to his favour.
A grateful Auré bent to kiss her on the cheek to thank her.
From across the courtyard, Aubrey saw him lean over Henrietta. His large frame momentarily obscured Henrietta from view. Aubrey had forgotten the Daughters of the Empire had their office on Bank Street where Auré’s automobile sat. She made haste in shopping to return the Larrigans to the automobile before Auré could see the package. Aubrey now understood why Auré had ridden aside the auto to town. Her husband had implied he had business to attend to in the city. Aubrey clasped her hand over her mouth in an attempt to maintain the British stiff upper lip. The final smash. A knife through the flesh would have hurt less. Auré could not love her, such was now obvious. Mistakenly, Aubrey thought she saw her husband actually kiss another woman. She could no longer ask him to stay; no, she would never throw herself at a man, her husband least of all, who was unfaithful to her. Since René’s death, Aubrey had scarcely thought about Auré’s dalliances. Henrietta must have become his official mistress after the Victoria Cross ball. The few horrid crows were the only other witnesses to the intimate scene. They brought Aubrey back to the present moment. They reminded her of something — a scene from Hamlet: “The croaking raven doth bellow for revenge.” Thoughts raced with all the acquaintances she could go to. Auré seemed indifferent to Lawrence. Then it struck her who could be used. A black-hearted smile crossed her lips. She still wanted him for a lover. It would prove to Auré she did not care about their marriage, either. I’ll let it be known we slept together. Auré will be humiliated. Everyone will howl with laughter. It will be Auré’s fall from Empire hero. I hope I bear his son. I’ll get back at Auré if it is the last thing I do. If it kills me! she avowed. At Aubrey’s return to Pembina, one of the footmen was promptly sent to town with an invitation to afternoon tea, the envelope marked Edwards.