but they did not hold it a mere form. And the Romanists admit in
principle what they dissent from in practice; for they almost deify
those early martyrs for their constancy to the truth, and yet would
martyr us for doing the very same thing."

"Well, I don't mean them to martyr me," said La Croissette, "I've an
elastic creed, I!--it stretches or collapses like an easy stocking."

"Beware, beware, my friend, of fancying a creed like that of any worth
at all."

"Sir, we all have our weak points and our strong ones. I'm no polemic,
I!--I prefer meddling with things that will not bring me into trouble.
There was a factory burnt down last night--"

"Ah!" groaned my father.

"Some say both the partners were burnt; others that one of them is at a
distance. Some think the factory was set on fire on purpose; others that
it was an accident. Nothing remains of it but the outer walls and a
smoking heap of ruins."

My father covered his face with his hand.

"Then, again," pursued La Croissette, "that worthy old Monsieur
Laccassagne, unable to stand the deprivation of sleep any longer, has
conformed--"

"Has he, though!" cried my father, with a start. "Oh, how sad a fall!"