pain of
incurring the aversion and contempt of all honest men. Well, sir! be it
so," said Gabriel, with deep bitterness; "I will expose myself to all
the consequences of perjury; you may proclaim it everywhere. I may be
hated and despised by all--but God will judge me!" The young priest
dried a tear, which trickled from his eye.

"Oh! do not be afraid, my dear boy!" cried Dagobert, with reviving hope.
"All honest men will be on your side!"

"Well done, brother!" said Agricola.

"M. Notary," said Rodin, in his little sharp voice, "please to explain
to Abbe Gabriel, that he may perjure himself as much as he thinks
fit, but that the Civil Code is much less easy to violate than a mere
promise, which is only--sacred!"

"Speak, sir," said Gabriel.

"Please to inform Abbe Gabriel," resumed Rodin, "that a deed of gift,
like that made in favor of Father d'Aigrigny, can only be cancelled for
one of three reasons--is it not so?"

"Yes, sir, for three reasons," said the notary.

"The first is in case of the birth of a child," said Rodin, "and I
should blush to mention such a contingency to the Abbe Gabriel. The
second is the ingratitude of the donee--and the Abbe Gabriel may
be certain of our deep and lasting gratitude. The last case is the
non-fulfilment of the wishes of the donor, with regard to the employment
of his gifts.

"Now, although the Abbe Gabriel may have suddenly conceived a very bad
opinion of us, he will at least give us some time to show that his
gifts have been disposed of according to his wishes, and applied to the
Greater Glory of the Lord."

"Now, M. Notary," added Father d'Aigrigny, "it is for you to decide and
say, if Abbe Gabriel can revoke the donation he has made."

Just as the notary was going to answer, Bathsheba reentered the room,
followed by two more personages, who appeared in the Red Room at a
little distance from each other.

BOOK VI.

PART SECOND.--THE CHASTISEMENT. (Concluded.)

XXVI. A Good Genius XXVII. The First Last, And the Last
First XXVIII. The Stranger XXIX. The Den XXX. An Unexpected
Visit XXXI. Friendly Services XXXII. The Advice XXXIII. The
Accuser XXXIV. Father d'Aigrigny's Secretary XXXV. Sympathy
XXXVI. Suspicions XXXVII. Excuses XXXVIII. Revelations
XXXIX. Pierre Simon

CHAPTER XXVI. A GOOD GENIUS.

The first of the two, whose arrival had interrupted the answer of the
notary, was Faringhea. At sight of this man's