ard would burst with envy.

'And, by the way, about my Charles the Fifths, you know! It's absolutely
false. Here is something to confute the old backbiter,' and he clapped
with his thick short hand a heavy leather pocket-book. He was so happy
that he tried to arouse an answering happiness in Freydet by leading the
conversation to the topic of yesterday--his candidature for the first
place in the Academie that should be vacant. It would be delightful when
the master and the scholar sat together under the dome! 'And you will
find how pleasant it is, and how comfortable. It cannot be imagined till
you are there.' The moment of entrance, he seemed to say, put an end
to the miseries of life. At that threshold they might beat in vain. You
soared into a region of peace and light, above envy, above criticism,
blessed for ever! All was won, and nothing left to desire. Ah, the
Academie! Those who spoke ill of it spoke in ignorance, or in jealousy,
because they could not get in. The apes, the dunces!

His strong voice rose till it made everyone turn as he went along the
quay. Some recognised him and mentioned his name. The booksellers and
the vendors of engravings and curiosities, standing at their stalls, and
accustomed to see him go by at his regular hours, stepped back and bowed
respectfully.

'Freydet, look at that,' said his master, pointing to the Palais
Mazarin, to which they had now come. 'There it is! There's the Institute
as I saw it on the Didot books when I was a lad. I said to myself then,
"I will get into that;" and I have got in. Now, my boy, it is your turn
to use your will. Good luck to you.' He stepped briskly in at the gate
to the left of the main building, and went on into a series of large
paved courts, silent and majestic, his figure throwing a lengthening
shadow upon the ground.

He disappeared; but Freydet was gazing still, struck motionless. And
on his kindly round brown face and in his soft, full-orbed eyes was the
same expression as had been on the visages of the human dogs who waited
before the barracks for their soup. Henceforward, whenever he looked at
the Institute, that expression would always come over his face.

CHAPTER V.

[Illustration: A select reception, at the Padovani mansion 102]

It was the evening of a great dinner, to be followed by a select
reception, at the Padovani mansion. The Grand-Duke Leopold was
entertaining at the table of his 'respected friend,' as he called the
D