ed by the English to the advantage
of their adherents at the time when they held a part of France made the
fortune of several princely houses.

"Our law allows M. d'Espard to dispose of his income without accounting
for it, or suffering him to be accused of its misapplication. A
Commission in Lunacy can only be granted when a man's actions are devoid
of reason; but in this case, the remittances made to you have a reason
based on the most sacred and most honorable motives. Hence you may keep
it all without remorse, and leave the world to misinterpret a noble
action. In Paris, the highest virtue is the object of the foulest
calumny. It is, unfortunately, the present condition of society that
makes the Marquis' actions sublime. For the honor of my country, I would
that such deeds were regarded as a matter of course; but, as things are,
I am forced by comparison to look upon M. d'Espard as a man to whom a
crown should be awarded, rather than that he should be threatened with a
Commission in Lunacy.

"In the course of a long professional career, I have seen and heard
nothing that has touched me more deeply than that I have just seen and
heard. But it is not extraordinary that virtue should wear its noblest
aspect when it is practised by men of the highest class.

"Having heard me express myself in this way, I hope, Monsieur le
Marquis, that you feel certain of my silence, and that you will not
for a moment be uneasy as to the decision pronounced in the case--if it
comes before the Court."

"There, now! Well said," cried Madame Jeanrenaud. "That is something
like a judge! Look here, my dear sir, I would hug you if I were not so
ugly; you speak like a book."

The Marquis held out his hand to Popinot, who gently pressed it with
a look full of sympathetic comprehension at this great man in private
life, and the Marquis responded with a pleasant smile. These two
natures, both so large and full--one commonplace but divinely kind, the
other lofty and sublime--had fallen into unison gently, without a jar,
without a flash of passion, as though two pure lights had been merged
into one. The father of a whole district felt himself worthy to grasp
the hand of this man who was doubly noble, and the Marquis felt in the
depths of his soul an instinct that told him that the judge's hand
was one of those from which the treasures of inexhaustible beneficence
perennially flow.

"Monsieur le Marquis," added Popinot, with a bow, "I am happ