t some semblance of affection. Theodore was Calvin's
spoilt child; the harsh reformer never scolded him; he forgave him his
dissipations, his amours, his fine clothes and his elegance of language.
Perhaps Calvin was not unwilling to show that the Reformation had a few
men of the world to compare with the men of the court. Theodore de Beze
was anxious to introduce a taste for the arts, for literature, and for
poesy into Geneva, and Calvin listened to his plans without knitting his
thick gray eyebrows. Thus the contrast of character and person between
these two celebrated men was as complete and marked as the difference in
their minds.

Calvin acknowledged Chaudieu's very humble salutation by a slight
inclination of the head. Chaudieu slipped the bridles of both horses
through his arms and followed the two great men of the Reformation,
walking to the left, behind de Beze, who was on Calvin's right. The
servant-woman hastened on in advance to prevent the closing of the Porte
de Rive, by informing the captain of the guard that Calvin had been
seized with sudden acute pains.

Theodore de Beze was a native of the canton of Vezelay, which was
the first to enter the Confederation, the curious history of which
transaction has been written by one of the Thierrys. The burgher spirit
of resistance, endemic at Vezelay, no doubt, played its part in the
person of this man, in the great revolt of the Reformers; for de Beze
was undoubtedly one of the most singular personalities of the Heresy.

"You suffer still?" said Theodore to Calvin.

"A Catholic would say, 'like a lost soul,'" replied the Reformer, with
the bitterness he gave to his slightest remarks. "Ah! I shall not be
here long, my son. What will become of you without me?"

"We shall fight by the light of your books," said Chaudieu.

Calvin smiled; his red face changed to a pleased expression, and he
looked favorably at Chaudieu.

"Well, have you brought me news? Have they massacred many of our
people?" he said smiling, and letting a sarcastic joy shine in his brown
eyes.

"No," said Chaudieu, "all is peaceful."

"So much the worse," cried Calvin; "so much the worse! All pacification
is an evil, if indeed it is not a trap. Our strength lies in
persecution. Where should we be if the Church accepted Reform?"

"But," said Theodore, "that is precisely what the queen-mother appears
to wish."

"She is capable of it," remarked Calvin. "I study that woman--"

"What, at th