prayer! Ab-ove all, for the he'pless! By day the fo' corner' of my
room, by night the fo' post' of my bed, are----"

"Yes, _chérie_, I know."

"Yes, they're to me for Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John! Since three
days every time I heard the cathedral clock I've prayed to them; and
now----!"

"Well, my angel? Now?"

"Well, now! He's dining there next Tuesday!"

"Truly. Yet even now we can only hope----"

"Ah, no! Me, I can also continue to supplicate! From now till
Wednesday, every time that clock, I'll pray those four _évangélistes_!
and Thursday you'll see--the power of prayer! Oh, 'tis like _magique_,
that power of prayer!"




VIII

On Tuesday evening Chester, a country boy yet now and then, was first
at the De l'Isles'.

Madame lauded him. "Punctualitie! tha'z the soul of pleasure!" She
had begun to explain why her other guests included but one young lady,