and attention.

"A boy is always a trouble," he said sententiously--"And it is
likely that so Monseigneur will find it. How old would the child
be?"

"About twelve, I should say," answered Madame--"But beautiful as a
little angel, Jean!"

"That's a pity!" and Patoux shook his head ominously--"Tis bad
enough when a girl is beautiful,--but a boy!--Well, well!
Monseigneur is a wise man, and a saint they say,--he knows best,--
but I fear he has taken a burden upon himself which he will very
soon regret! What dost thou think of it, petite?"

Madame hesitated a moment before replying.

"Truly, I do not know what to think," she answered--"For myself, I
have not spoken to the child. I have seen him,--yes!--and at the
sight of him a something in my throat rose up and choked me as it
were,--and stopped me from saying a rough word. Such a lonely gentle
lad!--one could not be harsh with him, and yet--"

"Yet! Oh, yes, I know!" said Patoux, finishing his coffee at a gulp
and smiling,--"Women will always be women,--and a handsome face in
girl or boy is enough to make fools of them all. Where are the
children? Are they gone to school?"

"Yes--they went before the Cardinal was up. 'Tis a Saturday, and
they will be back early,--they are going to bring little Fabien