When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete

commonplace almost to a classical simplicity, but there were times when, moved by some new theme, he talked to the villagers as if they, like himself, were learned and wise. He tho

ad-at St. Helena-Nap

t his Bible from the house, and, walking up and down, read a

ly turn and toss thee

hou die, and there the

hame of thy lo

ass in that day, that

the son

with thy robe, and s

commit thy governme

as a nail in a sure pl

rone to his f

pon him all the glory

ing and th

was talking to a vague audience, into that space where a man's eyes look when he is searching his own mind, discovering it to himself. The instability of earthly power, the putting down of the great, their exile and c

hat name the church became still, and the dullest habitant listened intently. Napoleon was in the air-a curious sequence to the song that was sung on the night of Valmond's arrival, wh

ambition, behind which was his great love of country; and how, for chastening, God turned upon him

France needs a man, even as a barren woman a child to be the token of her womanhood, it may be that one sprung from the loins of the Great Napoleon may again give life to the principle which some have sought to make into a legend. Even as the deliverer came out of obscure Corsica, so from some outp

t Monsieur Valmond. Parpon, beside him, hung over the back of a seat, his long arms stretched out, his hands applauding in a soundless way. Beneath the sword of Louis the Martyr, the great treasure of the parish

here goes

vive

a silve

Napol

lmond, who, people said, had given himself up to the stranger, body and soul; but no one could swear to that. Shocked, and t

holy water in the sacrament of baptism, had blessed man and maid at the altar, had quieted the angry arm lifted to strike, had anoi

n, but not till his eyes had again met those of Valmond, an

ll that made Pontiac for ever a notable spot in the eyes of

He had paid much attention to his toilet, selecting, with purpose, the white waistcoat, the long, blue-grey coat cut in a fashion anterior to this time by thirty years or more, and particularly to the arrang

tter seemed ludicrous enough at first,-the impression had remained. She was no Catholic, she did not as a rule care for religious services; but there was interest in the air,

her was an impressionist imitation, with dash, form, poetry, and colour. But where was the great strength? It was lacking. The close association of Parpon and Valmond-that was droll; yet, too, it had a sort of fitness, she knew scarcely why. However, Monsieur was not a fool, in the vulgar sense, for he had made a friend of a little creature who could be a wasp or a humming-bird, as he pleased. Then, too, this strang

an impostor, a base impostor, playing upon the credulities of a secluded village. Absurd-and interesting! So interesting, she did not resent the atten

above it all-an imaginative mind, certain of whose faculties had been sharpened to a fine edge of cleverness and wit. For she was but twenty-three; with the logic of a woman of fifty, without its setness and lack of elasticity. She went straight for the hearts of things, while yet she glittered upon the surface. This was why Valmond interested he

o pass out of the church, as though he were a great personage, Parpon trotting behind him. He carried

his pocket." Then, unconsciously plagiar

gift of humour, took on himself the office of inquisitor, even as there rose again little snatches of "Vive Napoleon" from

ess you by a name better known-indeed, the name dear to all Frenchmen. If it be so, will you not let us call

e stood a moment in a quandary, yet he was not outwardly ner

her better; and I trust you, who, as Frenchmen, descended from a better day in France, will not betray me.

han to hold out her hand, and say in her clear ton

haps you will bestow on me a half-hour at the Ma

what he said and what he did now had no pose, but sheer gratitude. With a few gracious word

s an impostor; and if he was not, as pathetic as droll. He was sca

, you walk too fast