y a mysterious listener. The reverend father, following
scrupulously Rodin's instructions, had at first visited his boarder very
rarely. We have said, that when Father d'Aigrigny wished it, he could
display an almost irresistible power of charming, and accordingly he
threw all his tact and skill into the interviews he had with Hardy,
when he came from time to time to inquire after his health. Informed of
everything by his spies, and aided by his natural sagacity, he soon saw
all the use that might be made of the physical and moral prostration of
the boarder. Certain beforehand that Hardy would not take the hint,
he spoke to him frequently of the gloom of the house, advising him
affectionately to leave it, if he felt oppressed by its monotony, or at
all events to seek beyond its walls for some pleasure and amusement.
To speak of pleasure and amusement to this unfortunate man, was in his
present state to insure a refusal, and so it of course happened. Father
d'Aigrigny did not at first try to gain the recluse's confidence, nor
did he speak to him of sorrow; but every time he came, he appeared to
take such a tender interest in him, and showed it by a few simple and
well timed words. By degrees, these interviews, at first so rare, became
more frequent and longer. Endowed with a flow of honeyed, insinuating,
and persuasive eloquence, Father d'Aigrigny naturally took for his
theme those gloomy maxims, to which Hardy's attention was now so often
directed.

Supple, prudent, skillful, knowing that the hermit had hitherto
professed that generous natural religion which teaches the grateful
adoration of God, the love of humanity, the worship of what is just and
good, and which, disdaining dogmas, professes the same veneration for
Marcus Aurelius as for Confucius, for Plato as for Christ, for Moses as
for Lycurgus--Father d'Aigrigny did not at first attempt to convert
him, but began by incessantly reminding him of the abominable deceptions
practised upon him; and, instead of describing such treachery as an
exception in life--instead of trying to calm, encourage, and revive
his drooping soul--instead of exhorting Hardy to seek oblivion and
consolation in the discharge of his duties toward humanity, towards his
brethren, whom he had previously loved and succored--Father d'Aigrigny
strove to inflame the bleeding wounds of the unfortunate man, painted
the human race in the most atrocious blackness, and, by declaring all
men treacherous,