"Here, where we stand in the right-hand arch are Saint Potentien, the
first apostle of Chartres, and Saint Modesta, the daughter of Quirinus,
the Governor of the city, who killed her because she would not deny
Christ. Here you see Ferdinand of Castille. He presented certain windows
distinguished by his arms, _gules, three castles or_, side by side with
the azure shield and fleur-de-lys of France, in the principal window of
this front. Next to him that shrewd and severe face is probably that of
Baruch, the judge, and here, barefoot and burthened with a penitent's
satchel, you see Saint Louis, who loaded the cathedral with gifts and
inaugurated its use.

"Under the porch of the middle door are two vacant pedestals, on which
formerly stood the effigies of Philip Augustus and Richard Coeur de
Lion, two of the most liberal donors to the church. On the other plinths
stand the Comte and Comtesse de Boulogne, a buxom dame with masculine
features, wearing a biretta; a prophet who is nameless, but no doubt
Ezekiel, for he is missing from the series in this porch; Louis VIII.,
Saint Louis' father; and, finally, that king's sister Isabella, who
founded the Abbey of Longchamps under the rule of Saint Clare. She is
dressed as a nun, and next her in the shadow is a personage of the Old
Dispensation carrying a censer, like Melchizedec. Remark, too, the firm
and solemn mien of that priest, Zacharias, the father of John the
Baptist, whose canticle '_Benedictus_' foretells the blessings of
Christ.

"Thus ends our review of this wonderful text-book of the Old Testament
types, and the historical memorial of those benefactors whose gifts
endowed the church with this sculptured imagery of the Ancient Word."

Durtal lighted a cigarette, and they walked up and down in front of the
palace railing.

"Setting aside the question of art," said Durtal, "in this long array of
Christ's ancestors there is one--David--who really confounds me, for he
is the most complex of all; at once so august and so small! he is quite
puzzling!"

"Why?"

"Well, only think of the life of the man who was by turns shepherd,
warrior, and outlaw chief, an omnipotent king and a fugitive without
either hearth or home; who was a wonderful poet and an exact prophet and
seer! And is not the monarch's character even more enigmatical than his
career?

"He was mild and indulgent, devoid of rancour and hatred, and yet he was
ferocious. Remember the punishments he inflicte