depart for France."

"For France!" said I; "and how? Surely the war will prevent your
passage."

The priest smiled. Nothing ever displeased me more than that priest's
smile. "The ecclesiastics," said he, "are the ambassadors of Heaven,
and have nothing to do with the wars of earth. I shall find no
difficulty in crossing the Channel. I shall not return for several
months, perhaps not till the expiration of a year: I leave you, till
then, to decide upon the terms I have proposed to you. Meanwhile,
gratify my vanity by employing my power; name some commission in France
which you wish me to execute."

"I can think of none,--yet, stay;" and I felt some curiosity to try the
power of which he boasted,--"I have read that kings are blest with a
most accommodating memory, and perfectly forget their favourites when
they can be no longer useful. You will see, perhaps, if my father's
name has become a Gothic and unknown sound at the court of the Great
King. I confess myself curious to learn this, though I can have no
personal interest in it."

"Enough, the commission shall be done. And now, my child, Heaven bless
you! and send you many such friends as the humble priest, who, whatever
be his failings, has, at least, the merit of wishing to serve those whom
he loves."

So saying, the priest closed the door. Sinking into a revery, as his
footsteps died upon my ear, I muttered to myself: "Well, well, my sage
ecclesiastic, the game is not over yet; let us see if, at sixteen, we