The eyes of the men were turned upon him curiously, and he
glanced from one to the other, as though mistrusting their
sympathy.

"It was not me--it was the Church they came to welcome. The
fools," he cried bitterly, "they thought they could destroy
the faith of the people by banishing the servants of the
Church. As soon end a mother's love for her children by
putting an ocean between them. For six years those peasants
have been true. I left them faithful, I returned to find them
faithful. And now--" he concluded, looking steadily at the
King as though to hold him to account, "and now they are to
have their reward."

The King bowed his head gravely in assent. "They are to have
their reward," he repeated. He rose and with a wave of his
hand invited the priest to follow him, and they walked
together to the other end of the terrace. When they were out
of hearing of the others the King seated himself, and the
priest halted beside his chair.

"I wish to speak with you, father," Louis said, "concerning
this young American girl, Miss Carson, who has promised to
help us--to help you--with her money. Has she said yet how
much she means to give us," asked the King, "and when she
means to let us have it? It is a delicate matter, and I do
not wish to urge the lady, but we are really greatly in need
of money. Baron Barrat, who arrived from Paris this morning,
brings back no substantial aid, although the sympathy of the
old nobility, he assures me, is with us. Sympathy, however,