in the intervals of the slow fever that consumed him,
suffering, ceaselessly resisted by study and by will, gave to that mask,
superficially so florid, a certain something that was terrible. Perhaps
this impression was explainable by the color of a sort of greasy layer
on the skin, due to the sedentary habits of the toiler, showing evidence
of the perpetual struggle which went on between that valetudinarian
temperament and one of the strongest wills ever known in the history
of the human mind. The mouth, though charming, had an expression of
cruelty. Chastity, necessitated by vast designs, exacted by so many
sickly conditions, was written upon that face. Regrets were there,
notwithstanding the serenity of that all-powerful brow, together with
pain in the glance of those eyes, the calmness of which was terrifying.

Calvin's costume brought into full relief this powerful head. He wore
the well-known cassock of black cloth, fastened round his waist by
a black cloth belt with a brass buckle, which became thenceforth the
distinctive dress of all Calvinist ministers, and was so uninteresting
to the eye that it forced the spectator's attention upon the wearer's
face.

"I suffer too much, Theodore, to embrace you," said Calvin to the
elegant cavalier.

Theodore de Beze, then forty-two years of age and lately admitted, at
Calvin's request, as a Genevese burgher, formed a violent contrast to
the terrible pastor whom he had chosen as his sovereign guide and ruler.
Calvin, like all burghers raised to moral sovereignty, and all
inventors of social systems, was eaten up with jealousy. He abhorred
his disciples; he wanted no equals; he could not bear the slightest
contradiction. Yet there was between him and this graceful cavalier
so marked a difference, Theodore de Beze was gifted with so charming a
personality enhanced by a politeness trained by court life, and Calvin
felt him to be so unlike his other surly janissaries, that the stern
reformer departed in de Beze's case from his usual habits. He never
loved him, for this harsh legislator totally ignored all friendship,
but, not fearing him in the light of a successor, he liked to play
with Theodore as Richelieu played with his cat; he found him supple and
agile. Seeing how admirably de Beze succeeded in all his missions, he
took a fancy to the polished instrument of which he knew himself the
mainspring and the manipulator; so true is it that the sternest of men
cannot do withou