n anecdote, he had hourly made his
position stronger, himself more honoured at the Castle Bercy. He had
also tactfully declined an offer of money from the Prince--none the less
decidedly because he was nearly penniless. The Duke's hospitality he was
ready to accept, but not his purse--not yet.

Yet he was not in all acting a part. He was sincere in his liking
for the soured, bereaved sovereign, forced to endure alliance with
a Government he loathed. He even admired the Duke for his vexing
idiosyncrasies, for they came of a strong individuality which, in
happier case, should have made him a contented and beloved monarch. As
it was, the people of his duchy were loyal to him beyond telling, doing
his bidding without cavil: standing for the King of France at his will,
declaring for the Republic at his command; for, whatever the Duke was
to the world outside, within his duchy he was just and benevolent, if
imperious.

All these things Philip had come to know in his short sojourn. He had,
with the Duke, mingled freely, yet with great natural dignity, among the
people of the duchy, and was introduced everywhere, and at all times, as
the sovereign's kinsman--"in a direct line from an ancient branch," as
his Highness declared. He had been received gladly, and had made himself
an agreeable figure in the duchy, to the delight of the Duke, who
watched his every motion, every word, and their effect. He came to know
the gossip gone abroad that the Duke had already chosen him for heir. A
fantastic rumour, maybe, yet who could tell?

One day the Duke arranged a conference of the civil and military
officers of his duchy. He chuckled to see how reluctant they all were at
first to concede their homage to his favourite, and how soon they fell
under that favourite's influence--all save one man, the Intendant of
the duchy. Philip himself was quick to see that this man, Count Carignan
Damour, apprehensive for his own selfish ends, was bitterly opposed to
him. But Damour was one among many, and the Duke was entirely satisfied,
for the common people received Philip with applause.

On this very day was laid before the Duke the result of the long
researches of the monks into the genealogy of the d'Avranches, and
there, clearly enough, was confirmation of all Philip had said about
his ancestors and their relation to the ancient house of d'Avranche.
The Duke was overjoyed, and thereupon secretly made ready for Philip's
formal adoption and succe