without consolation, that we may go
to him without one backward look, humble through tribulation."

"What a strange book!" thought Godefroid, turning over the leaves. Then
his eyes lighted on the following words:--

"When thou hast reached the height of finding all afflictions
sweet, since they have made thee love the love of Jesus Christ,
then know thyself happy; for thou hast found thy paradise in this
world."

Annoyed by this simplicity (the characteristic of strength), angry at
being foiled by a book, he closed the volume; but even then he saw, in
letters of gold on the green morocco cover, the words:--

SEEK THAT WHICH IS ETERNAL, AND THAT ONLY.

"Have they found it here?" he asked himself.

He went out to buy the handsomest copy he could find of the "Imitation
of Jesus Christ" thinking that Madame de la Chanterie would wish to read
her chapter that night. When he reached the street he stood a moment
near the door, uncertain which way to take and debating in what
direction he was likely to find a bookseller. As he stood there he heard
the heavy sound of the massive porte-cochere closing.

Two men were leaving the hotel de la Chanterie. If the reader has fully
understood the character of this old house he will know that it was
one of the ancient mansions of the olden time. Manon, herself, when she
called Godefroid that morning, had asked him, smiling, how he had slept
in the hotel de la Chanterie.

Godefroid followed the two men without the slightest intention of
watching them; they took him for an accidental passer, and spoke in
tones which enabled him to hear distinctly in those lonely streets.

The two men passed along the rue Massillon beside the church and crossed
the open space in front of it.

"Well, you see, old man, it is easy enough to catch their sous. Say what
they want you to say, that's all."

"But we owe money."

"To whom?"

"To that lady--"

"I'd like to see that old body try to get it; I'd--"

"You'd pay her."

"Well, you're right, for if I paid her I'd get more another time."

"Wouldn't it be better to do as they advise, and build up a good
business?"

"Pooh!"

"But she said she would get some one to lend us the money."

"Then we should have to give up the life of--"

"Well, I'd rather; I'm sick of it; it isn't being a man at all to be
drunk half one's time."

"Yes, but you know the abbe turned his back on old Marin the other day;
he refused him everything.