so
amiable a man.

When the hermit and himself were in their chamber, they spent some
time in praises of their host. At break of day the old man woke his
comrade.

"We must be going," he remarked. "But while every one is still asleep,
I wish to leave this worthy man a pledge of my esteem." With these
words he took a torch and set the house on fire.

Zadig burst forth into cries of horror, and would have stopped the
frightful act. But the hermit, by superior strength, drew him away.
The house was in a blaze; and the old man, who was now a good way off
with his companion, looked back calmly at the burning pile.

"Heaven be praised!" he cried, "our kind host's house is destroyed
from top to bottom."

At these words Zadig knew not whether he should burst out laughing,
call the reverend father an old rascal, knock him down, or run away.
But he did neither. Still subdued by the superior manner of the
hermit, he followed him against his will to their next lodging.

This was the dwelling of a good and charitable widow, who had a nephew
of fourteen, her only hope and joy. She did her best to use the
travellers well; and the next morning she bade her nephew guide them
safely past a certain bridge, which, having recently been broken, had
become dangerous to cross over. The youth, eager to oblige them, led
the way.

"Come," said the hermit, when they were half across the bridge, "I
must show my gratitude toward your aunt;" and as he spoke he seized
the young man by the hair and threw him into the river. The youth
fell, reappeared for an instant on the surface, and then was swallowed
by the torrent.

"Oh, monster!" exclaimed Zadig, "ah, most detestable of men--"

"You promised me more patience," interrupted the old man. "Listen!
Beneath the ruins of that house which Providence saw fit to set on
fire, the owner will discover an enormous treasure; while this young
man, whose existence Providence cut short, would have killed his aunt
within a year, and you yourself in two."

"Who told you so, barbarian?" cried Zadig; "and even if you read the
issue in your Book of Destiny, who gave you power to drown a youth who
never injured you?"

While he spoke, he saw that the old man had a beard no longer, and
that his face had become fair and young; his hermit's frock had
disappeared; four white wings covered his majestic form, and shone
with dazzling lustre.

"Angel of heaven," cried Zadig, "you are then descended from the skies