Very simply, very gravely the young boy spoke these words, his
delicate head uplifted, his face shining in the moon-rays, and his
slight, childish form erect with a grace which was not born of pride
so much as of endurance, and again the Cardinal trembled, though he
knew not why. Yet in his very agitation, the desire he had to
persuade the tired child to go with him grew stronger and
overmastered every other feeling.

"Come then," he said, smiling and extending his hand, "Come, and you
shall sleep in my room for the remainder of the night, and to-morrow
we will talk of the future. At present you need repose."

The boy smiled gratefully but said nothing, and the Cardinal,
satisfied with the mere look of assent walked with his foundling
across the square and into the Hotel Poitiers. Arrived at his own
bed-room, he smoothed his couch and settled the pillows carefully
with active zeal and tenderness. The boy stood silently, looking on.

"Sleep now, my child," said the Cardinal,--"and forget all your
troubles. Lie down here; no one will disturb you till the morning."

"But you, my lord Cardinal," said the boy--"Are you depriving
yourself of comfort in order to give it to me? This is not the way
of the world!"

"It is MY way," said the Cardinal cheerfully,--"And if the world has
been unkind to you, my boy, still take courage,--it will not always
be unjust! Do not trouble yourself concerning me; I shall sleep well
on the sofa in the next room--indeed, I shall sleep all the better
for knowing that your tears have ceased, and that for the present at