other men in setting them a noble example, and one worthy of
imitation. It is your sacred duty, in accordance with the demands of
truth, to give the most detailed information regarding every thing
that concerns this affair, and your eminence will have the goodness
to remember that we are the secular priests of God, before whom
every accused person must confess the whole truth with a perfect
conscience."

"I thank you, Mr. President," said the cardinal, with so gentle and
tremulous a voice, that you might hear after it a faint sob from
some deeply-veiled ladies who sat on the spectators' seats, and so
that even the eyes of President de l'Aigro filled with tears--" I
thank you, Mr. President," repeated the cardinal, breathing more
freely. "You take a heavy burden from my heart, and your wisdom
instructs me as to my own duty."

The president blushed with pleasure at the high praises of the
cardinal.

"And now," he said, "I take the liberty of repeating my question,
did the Countess Lamotte-Valois succeed in procuring for your
eminence a secret audience with the queen?"

"She did," replied the cardinal, "she did procure an interview for
me."

And compelling himself to a quiet manner, he went on with his story:
The Countess de Valois came to him after two days with a joyful
countenance, and brought to him the request to accompany the
Countess Valois two days after to Versailles, where, in the garden,