after breakfast, to visit my uncle Chambrun, who had
fallen sick; and as the distance was about seven leagues, I went to him
on a small but active horse. On my arrival, I found him in bed, with a
royal commissioner seated beside him, who was talking to him with great
show of courtesy, while my uncle looked much wearied. The bishop of
Valence was on the other side of his bed. Finding myself in such high
company, I fell back, and awaited a better opportunity of presenting
myself.

The commissioner was inquiring very sedulously after my uncle's health,
and assuring him he respected him greatly, and wished to show him favor.

"We have been constrained," said he, "to subject several of your
colleagues to temporary confinement, but I have great hope that nothing
of the kind will be necessary in your case, if you are a man of wisdom
who know how to comply with exigencies as they arise, and thereby set an
example to those around you. To this end the bishop has come to put a
few easy interrogations. It is a mere form, and I am sure you will make
no difficulty."

My uncle thanked him for his kind expressions, but said he had a Master
in heaven to whom he owed his first duty.

"So have we all," interposed the bishop. And that he should make answer
with that end in view and nothing else.

The bishop then took up the word, and very little can I remember of what
he said, so hampered was I by his presence; but it was plain that he
sought to entangle my uncle in his talk. That was no easy thing to do,
my uncle was so temperate and logical, and so much more conversant with
the Holy Scriptures than the bishop was.

The commissioner, perceiving that the bishop was getting the worst of
it, broke in with--

"All this is beside the mark. The king is determined that you, Monsieur
Chambrun, should be a good Catholic; so it is no good begging off. You
had much better accept the good offer made you, which I trust you will
do on thinking it over."

"The only offer I desire," replied my uncle, "is of a passport, to
enable me, as soon as I am well enough, to follow my brother ministers
to Holland. My reason tells me--"

"A truce with your reason," interrupted the bishop, rising to go away.
"You have too much rhetoric by half. I advise you to reflect and to
obey."

"Monseigneur, I am sure you think you are giving me the best advice,"
said my uncle, feebly. "Nephew, see the noble and reverend gentlemen
out."

CHAPTER IV.

MY U