on it. In the position in which we found ourselves, Monsieur Berryer
finding it impossible to come to Besancon, Monsieur de Garcenault
advised him to employ this Monsieur Albert Savaron, foretelling our
success. As soon as I saw him and heard him, I felt faith in him, and I
was not wrong."

"Is he then so extraordinary?" asked Madame de Chavoncourt.

"Certainly, madame," replied the Vicar-General.

"Well, tell us about it," said Madame de Watteville.

"The first time I saw him," said the Abbe de Grancey, "he received me in
his outer room next the ante-room--old Galard's drawing-room--which
he has had painted like old oak, and which I found entirely lined with
law-books, arranged on shelves also painted as old oak. The painting
and the books are the sole decoration of the room, for the furniture
consists of an old writing table of carved wood, six old armchairs
covered with tapestry, window curtains of gray stuff bordered with
green, and a green carpet over the floor. The ante-room stove heats this
library as well. As I waited there I did not picture my advocate as
a young man. But this singular setting is in perfect harmony with his
person; for Monsieur Savaron came out in a black merino dressing-gown
tied with a red cord, red slippers, a red flannel waistcoat, and a red
smoking-cap."

"The devil's colors!" exclaimed Madame de Watteville.

"Yes," said the Abbe; "but a magnificent head. Black hair already
streaked with a little gray, hair like that of Saint Peter and Saint
Paul in pictures, with thick shining curls, hair as stiff as horse-hair;
a round white throat like a woman's; a splendid forehead, furrowed
by the strong median line which great schemes, great thoughts, deep
meditations stamp on a great man's brow; an olive complexion marbled
with red, a square nose, eyes of flame, hollow cheeks, with two long
lines, betraying much suffering, a mouth with a sardonic smile, and a
small chin, narrow, and too short; crow's feet on his temples; deep-set
eyes, moving in their sockets like burning balls; but, in spite of all
these indications of a violently passionate nature, his manner was calm,
deeply resigned, and his voice of penetrating sweetness, which surprised
me in Court by its easy flow; a true orator's voice, now clear and
appealing, sometimes insinuating, but a voice of thunder when needful,
and lending itself to sarcasm to become incisive.

"Monsieur Albert Savaron is of middle height, neither stout nor t