or what I am about to do,' said he, smiling.

'The will is half the deed, father.'

'A good adage, and an old,' replied he, while he proceeded to arrange
his drapery, and make himself as presentable as the nature of his
costume would admit.

'This was a rapid business of yours,' said he, as he smoothed down his
few locks at the back of his head.

'That it was, _pere_--a regular runaway.'

'I guessed as much,' said he. 'I said so, the moment I saw you at the
ferry.'

The _pere_ is no bad judge of horse-flesh, thought I, to detect the
condition of our beasts at that distance.

'"There's something for me," said I to Madame Guyon. "Look yonder! See
how their cattle are blowing! They've lost no time, and neither will I."
And with that I put on my gown and came up here.'

'How considerate of you, _pere_; you saw we should need your help.'

'Of course I did,' said he, chuckling. 'Of course I did. Old Gregoire,
here, is so stupid and so indolent that I have to keep a sharp lookout
myself. But he's the _maire_, and one can't quarrel with him.'

'Very true,' said I. 'A functionary has a hundred opportunities of doing
civil things, or the reverse.'

'That's exactly the case,' said the _pere_. 'Without him we should have
no law on our side. It would be all _sous la cheminee_, as they say.'

The expression was new to me, and I imagined the good priest to mean,
that without the magistrature, respect for the laws might as well be 'up
the chimney.'

'And now, if you will allow me, we 'll pay our duty to the lady,' said
the Pere Jose, when he had completed his toilette to his satisfaction.

When the ceremonial of presenting the _pere_ was over I informed Laura
of his great kindness in our behalf, and the trouble he had taken to
provide us with an equipage.

'A sorry one, I fear, mademoiselle,' interposed he, with a bow. 'But
I believe there are few circumstances in life where people are more
willing to endure sacrifices.'

'Then monsieur has explained to you our position?' said Laura, half
blushing at the absurdity of the adventure.

'Everything, my dear young lady--everything. Don't let the thought give
you any uneasiness, however. I listen to stranger stories every day.

'Taste that Haut-Brion, _pere_,' said I, wishing to give the
conversation a turn, as I saw Laura felt uncomfortable, 'and give me
your opinion of it. To my judgment it seems excellent.'

'And your judgment is unimpeachable in more respects than