monseigneur's permission to make a few preparations for
the interesting ceremony?"

Gonzague nodded, and the brisk little man, with the aid of his two
clerks, pushed a table into place, arranged writing materials, and,
seating himself with a great air of formality, investigated a quill pen,
spread out his contract, and surveyed the company with the air of one who
should say: "I have done, and done well, all that it becometh me to do;
it is now for you to play your part in this ceremony."

Gonzague addressed the notary: "Have you entered the names of groom and
bride?"

Master Griveau gave a little, protesting cough. "I do not know them, your
highness. I have left blank spaces for the names."

Gonzague pointed to Gabrielle, where she sat apart. "The lady is
Mademoiselle de Lagardere." Then he turned to the hunchback. "And you,
what is your lawful name, AEsop?"

The hunchback made an appeal to Gonzague. "Highness, humor my jest to the
end. I have kept my real name a secret long enough; let me keep it secret
a little longer. Will you and your friends honor me by signing as
witnesses? Then I will fill in the blanks and set down my own name--a
name that will make you laugh."

Oriol gave a grin. "AEsop is comic enough."

Lagardere nodded to him. "AEsop is a nickname. My true name will divert
you more. Sign, sirs, sign."

Master Griveau, with due solemnity, unfolded the contract and spread it
before him. Then he dipped a pen in the ink, and stood waiting for the
illustrious company to sign the contract.

"Give me the pen," said Gonzague. He was beginning to tire a little of
the comedy, in spite of its element of marvel, and to wish the girl well
out of his sight with her hunchback husband. He signed his name and held
up the pen. It was eagerly sought for. Taranne gained the privilege of
taking it from the fingers of his master. Taranne signed, Noce signed,
Oriol signed, Gironne signed, Choisy signed, Albret signed, Montaubert
signed. When the pen was offered to Chavernay, Chavernay put his hands
behind his back and shook his head. It came to Navailles to sign last.

"Now for the happy pair," Navailles said. As he spoke he turned to where
the hunchback and Gabrielle stood together silent, a strangely contrasted
bride and bridegroom--youth and age, so it seemed, beauty and ugliness,
sin and purity. Truly, it appeared to be what Chavernay thought it and
called it--a damnable alliance.

While the signing had been towa