"Have ye never read in the Psalms," he cried, "how David said that the
Lord would arise in judgment to help all the meek of the earth, and how
that surely even the wrath of man God would turn to His praise?"

"I have also read in the same place," retorted the Professor of
Eloquence, "that 'the remainder of the wrath He will restrain.' You
Huguenots are not quite of the meek of the earth. When one cheek is
smitten, doth the Bearnais turn the other? I, for one, should not like
to try. Nay, not even with good Master Johannus here, Doctor in
Theology, late of Geneva, commonly known as Jean-aux-Choux!"

"If, indeed, you know a better way, my good Doctor of the Sorbonne,"
said Jean, "pray show it forthwith! I am open to conviction, even as was
my master, John Calvin!"

"That I will," quoth the Professor; "if you will have none of prudence,
then seek wisdom. Ask of God. He will not refuse you. Is it not written
in the Book that 'Wisdom, the worker of all things, hath taught me? For
in her is the spirit of understanding--holy, only begotten, manifold,
subtle, clear, undefined, loving the good and doing it, courteous,
stable, sure, without care, having all power, yet circumspect in all
things--and so, passing into all intellectual, pure, and subtle
spirits.' So, indeed, it is written."

"Ah, that is part of your lecture on the blessings of peace," said the
Abbe John, disgusted that he could arrive no nearer to the goal of his
desirings. A three-legged stool makes a courser both slow and noisy.

"Eh," said the Professor, "it may be--it may be. I have often read these
words with delight and, I grant you, I may have used them in another
connexion."

"I have the notes of the lecture in my pocket!" said the Abbe John.

"Hum," commented Professor Anatole, looking sidelong at his pupil, "it
is well to find you so attentive once in a way. At the Sorbonne the
thing did not happen too often."

There was a short, uncomfortable period of silence, for the tone of the
Professor of Eloquence had been somewhat rasping. He was annoyed, as
perhaps John d'Albret had expected.

But he resumed again after awhile, his anger having as quickly fallen.

"I do not deny it. I am by nature a man urbane. I hold with him who said
that the worst peace that ever was made is better than the best war that
ever was waged. I am of Paul's faction, when he counselled 'Follow peace
with all men'!"

There came a sudden loud knocking at the river-gate.