ic value is not diminished on that account. Would you intimate
that you have assumed it to answer some sinister design?"

"And, supposing I have," he asked; "what then?"

"Why, then you are a hypocrite."

"It is well for my lord's lieutenant to speak of hypocrisy," said the
boy, laughing; "it is like Satan preaching sanctity; tell the good
puritans of Boston, that the French Hugonot who worshipped in their
conventicle with so much decorum, is a papist, and what, think you,
would they say?"

"Who are you, that dares speak to me thus?" asked De Valette, angrily.

"That is a question, which I do not choose to answer; I care not to let
strangers into my secret counsels."

"You are impertinent, boy;" said De Valette, "yet your bearing shews
that you have discernment enough to distinguish between right and wrong,
and you must be aware that policy sometimes renders a disguise
expedient, and harmless too, if neither honour or principle are
compromised."

"I like a disguise, occasionally, of all things," said the boy, archly;
"are you quick at detecting one?"

"Sometimes I am," returned De Valette; "but--now, by my troth," he
exclaimed, starting, and gazing intently on him, "is it possible, that
you have again deceived me?"

"Nothing more likely," answered the other, carelessly; "but, hush! M. de
la Tour, and the stranger with him, are observing us. See! they come
this way: not a word more, if you have any wish to please me."

"Stay but one moment," said De Valette, grasping his arm; "I _must_ know
for what purpose you are thus attired."

"Well, release me, and I will tell you the whole truth, though you might
suppose it was merely some idle whim. I wished to see Annette married,
and as Mad. de la Tour thought it would be out of character for her page
to appear in a Catholic assembly, I prevailed on a boy, whom father
Gilbert had selected to officiate in the ceremony to transfer his dress
and office to me: this is all;--and now are you satisfied?"

"Better than I expected to be, I assure you; but, for the love of the
saints, be careful, or this whimsical fancy of your's may lead to some
unpleasant consequences."

"Never fear; I enjoy this Proteus sort of life extremely, and you may
expect to see me in some new shape, before long."

"Your own shape is far better than any you can assume," said De Valette;
"and by these silken locks, which, if I had looked at, I must have
known, you cannot impose on me again."

"