The Grey Cloak

e widow of Monsieur Boisjoli, step

said the Chevalier; "tha

waiter. "Charlot, bring Monsieur le Chevalier the pheasant pie, th

have seen me when I came in! And devil take this nose of mine; not even steam and water have thawed the frost from it." He chucked her under the chin and smiled comicall

turned from Rome? Ah,

able, M

black eyes grew moist and tender. Madame B

non, alive; don

a woman who loved the recital of exploits. Monsi

pping his rapier and his pockets

e been w

of comfort. And will you have Charlot hasten that

eur;" and she flew

in in the constant mortification of the flesh, he would have been a singularly handsome man. His features were elegantly designed, but it was evident that melancholy had recast them in a serious mold. His face was clean-shaven, and his hair clipped, close to the skull. There

way of gratifying a natural curiosity, both men experienced a mental disturbance which was at once strang

himself. "A tolerably shrewd night, Mo

d in a mellow barytone. "May Saint Ignatius listen kindly

y arrived?" asked th

ago. I leave for

the crinkle of a chill ran across the Chevalier's shoulders. The thumb, the fo

red worse discomforts;" and to this statement the priest added a sour smile. H

ver?" suggested

, the gift of F

esty's c

es

re a J

son, to see his Eminence in regard to the raising of funds for some new missions we have in mind; but I have been indifferently successful, due po

The Chevalier's tones expressed genuine interest. He could now account for the presence of the muti

d I am all eager

ncy, but I confess that it excites my amusement to be

he Jesuit, his brows sinking. "I have known men of thirty to be old. Youth never leaves us till we

neither young nor old. I stand on the threshold. I can not say that I have s

in years is so small as to destroy the dignity of the term, I

re! "But some are rich and some are poor; beggars

nister, an object of scorn, contumely and forgetfulness; to be cut away from the love of women and the affection of men, the two strongest of human ties; to dream what might and should have been; to be proved guilty of a crime we did not commit; to be laughed at, to be

ought the Chevalier, who had spoken with irony aforethought. Glories of the world, the love of women; did not all

the priest, his composure recovered; "one who seeks to o

such as you have described?" ask

us a remedy even

might the

ea

me, Monsieur?" asked the C

I am known to my brothers and friends as Brother Jacques.

ier du Cévennes, under De Guit

uminating. "Why, that is the name

of war. I possess a title, but I do not assume it; I simply draw its revenues." The

it had grown harsh and repellent. "Monsieur, I proceed

Oh, indif

as if hesitant to break the silence. "Have

quis de Périgny? Ah, yes; I have hear

I intend to apply to him for assistance. Mazarin has not been very liberal. Ah, how little they dre

aughed without merriment. "The marquis and charit

endly toward the Marquis?"

nd of Monsieur le Marquis," p

nged you?" asked the priest,

te affair, Mon

which he dropped into the bowl. Presently he pushed aside the bowl and rose, his long black cass

attention was drawn to

re of the pipe, which I stood but poorly. Well, my brother, I am outward bound, and Rouen is far away. The night

nsieur," returned th

is mule, and rode away, caring as little as the Chev

? That is droll. Now, why does the marquis give to the Church? He has me there. Bah! and this priest's eyes. Ah!" as he s

s gone?" said mada

evalier sat d

r Paul?"

ing. Mignon was cert

ce Brother Ja

them?" with a shade of annoyance. Vanity c

o strange. And what a

him back, Mign

ited a round

, the Chevalier felt the man made whole again. The warmth of the wine turned the edge of his sterner thoughts; and at ten minutes to eight he went forth, a brave and gallant ma

so the Chevalier walked, lightly humming an old chanson of the reign of

my poor

it makes

e grand k

th of th

of ghostly stones. The hands of the clock in the quaint water-tower La Samaritaine pointed at five to eight. Oddly enough there came to the Chevalier a transitory picture of a young Jesuit priest, winding through the bleak hills on the way to Rouen. The glories of the world, the love of women? What romance lay smolderin

azarin was giving a party. He lifted his cloak from his shoulders, shook it, and threw it over his arm, and ascended the broad staircase, his heart beating swiftly

d the captain, f

, my Captain. His Emin

an of sense, and on the way to Spain. And my word of honor, you stick your head down the lion's mouth! Follo

in bewilderment. Spain? ... W

nes?" cried a thin

and beheld Bernouin,

have returned from Rome, and also explain why you are looking at me with such bulging eyes? Am I a ghost?" The Cheva

g, Monsieur, nothing!" quickly. "I will this

n trying to run away," mused th

ton, lackey to Monsieur le Chevalier du Cévennes. He was directed to the floor above. On hearing a knock, Breton hastily clo

n?" the strange

me?" Breton ask

stranger placed a bundle in Breton's hands. Immediately he turned and

as greatly surprised to find his master's celebrated grey cloak. He examined it. It wa

never have returned it in this condition; besides, Hector would hav

s liberty was in danger, Breton reseated himself by the candles and continued his indulgence in s