The times., 1897-04-01
%ax pemberson.

my son. said he, ,'I pray you adj
dress me by my own name and not by
that to which | have no title 1t is true
that the Bishop Of Bloisiis unhappily dead,
but under no circumstances is it possible
that so unworthy successor should be
found for the See as the humble priest who
has lately enjoyed your hospitality. /,
gentlemen, am the Abbe Morellet, cure of
the village of Yyette, Il man with whom
the princes of the church may well con-
cern themselves but little. 1 go to Paris
now to carry my ward Corinne you may
know her as Mdlle de Montesson, gentle
men-to a convent of Bencdictine nuns at
Charenton. And heaven forbid that should
aspire to such a distinction as you have
named" ri
He spoke with great dignity, being a
man accustomed to comIuand in his own
little world His manner was that of one
who has made an end OF the argument;
but the three horsemen, who maintained
fine gravity of demeanor during the par
ley, would not be put off by it; and they
now held their horses at the walk while
the leader answered the obstinate Able
MY lord bishop said he, Il fear
you jest with us. We know you well,
and we are concerned To find you abroad
here at such an hour. The church has
too few faithful servants that one of the
stoutest OF her champions should make
himself mark for footpads. Dame, do
you forget that you are about to enter
the woods OF st. Cloud?-and that 1t is
sunset?''
The able looked surprised
..Sirs," said he, Il have never ridden
to Parts but once before in all my life;
and whether this he st. Cloud or an
other place, / am, indeed, unable to tell
you. Yet for any warning or direction
you may be pleased TO give me, you
will find a greateful listener. / am but
q simple priest, gentlemen. and l can
not think that any robher would stoop
to find victim unprofitable. Heaven
be my witness that | have an unpleasant
duty to perform in the city yonder. Au-
thorty, sirs, Is a physc which the sur
geon may hesitate to employ, until both
persuasion and counsel have been admin
istered. Too long have l been patient
the day for that has passed. Even though
the king himself were to intercede, my
purpose should be delayed no more. To-
morrow gentlemen, all Paris shall hear
that the Hotel BeautreilliS is closed and
that its mistress, Coriune. my ward, is
safe within the convent walls at Charen-
ton"
The abbe was emphatic. He brought his
pompous speech to fitting close with Il
good thwack of the Cudgcl, nicely laidupOn
the pony's quarters. His two servants, al
ways initiative, laid two sticks smartly
upon the backs of their asses, and all he.
gan to ride at good trot toward the park
of st. Cloud. As for the three horsemen,
they seemed to en Joy the abbe's company
immensely, and they Kept close at his side,
while merry glances passed between them;
ana the youngest Of the three-who had
the figure Of a girl-bent low, the better
to escape observation. Thus they came all
together to the summit OF the hill, where.
from they could see the thick woods about
the chateau of St Cloud, with the river
Seine flowing like a river of blood in the
valley, and Paris herself away in the dis
tance, the sunlight making mighty jewels
of her domes and towers, and shining with
a deep crimson fFim a thousand west
turned windows Here the three strangers
drew rain, and one IL tliem, who had not
spoken before. addressed the abbe In
parting word -
My lord bishop" said he, regardless
| of the abbe's protests, "you go on bolc
I task. There have been many before this
| who have sought to stand between Corinne
| de Montesson and her pleasures. Do yor
| seek for those persons YOU will find them
| in all the prisons of Paris -ior gone to the
wars for shame of their defeat. Beware
| how you act then, and think yourself d
| lucky man If you ride into Paris at all
! Nav. | will wager you a thousand crowns
| that this time tomorrow night you shal
| he glad to see us and to get back Il
yyette with what speed you may. YoI
wood is full of strange sights and sounds
| monsieur; many a man who has entered Il
| at suudown has been known no more when
| dawn has come. Look to your steps,
! heseech YOU; and heaven grant that th'
| witches of St Cloud may respect the patti
| of the Lord Bishop of Blois. i"
| He DOTTED his cap as the other had done
| and all three howing with ready grace
| presently they set spurs to their horses anc
| disappeared at eallop into the heart o
| the woods. The good Ahbe, who had bee
| content at first to think that some mistake
| had led them to give him so distinguished
| title. now became very angry and not 8
little alarmed.