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But his question was not answered, for just at that moment a loud knock came at the door of the inn, and a tall broadly built personage in close canonical attire appeared in the narrow little passage of entry, attended by another smaller and very much more insignificant-looking individual. Patoux hastily scrambled out of his chair. "The Archbishop!" he whispered to his wife "He himself!
Ah, yes, a good man! but ignorant alas! very ignorant!" Papa Patoux brought his eyes down from the ceiling and fixed them enquiringly on Cazeau.
Ah, heaven! could anything be a trouble for Monseigneur!" and Madame Patoux, moved to tears by the quiet contentment with which the Cardinal took possession of the two bare, common rooms which were the best she could place at his disposal, hurried away, and hustling Henri and Babette like two little roly- poly balls before her into the kitchen, she told them with much emphasis that there was a saint in the house, a saint fit to be the holy companion of any of those who had their niches up in the Cathedral near the great rose-window, and that if they were good children they would very likely see an angel coming down from heaven to visit him.
And, as before said, peace reigned in the Patoux household, even the entrance of Papa Patoux himself, fresh from his celery beds, and smelling of the earth earthy, created no particular diversion.
"Ah, yes, Monseigneur!" replied Madame Patoux "Only just now he has finished his little supper. Shall I show Monseigneur to his room?" "If you please," returned the Archbishop, still smiling benevolently "And permit my secretary to wait with you here till I return."
"Ignorant?" he began, when at this juncture Madame Patoux entered, and taking possession of Henri and Babette, informed Monsieur Cazeau that the Archbishop would be for some time engaged in conversation with Cardinal Bonpre, and that therefore he, Monsieur Cazeau, need not wait, Monseigneur would return to his house alone.
All the same, you may be sure the children WILL bring Fabien Doucet to Monseigneur; they have made up their minds about it, and if the little miserable's lameness gets no better, we shall have work enough in future to make the saints respected!" Patoux muttered something inaudible, and went his way.
"So has she!" echoed Midon, opening his eyes a little wider "Then what do you suppose? "Just this," said Patoux, emphasizing his words by marking them out with a fat thumb on the palm of the other hand "That Cazeau was the villain of the piece as they say in the theatres, and that she has punished him for his villainy.
It shall be as you please, I will not think that you could do yourself or me a wrong by concealing what would be right for you to tell. It is true that you are alone in the world?" "Quite, quite alone!" answered Manuel, a faint shadow darkening the serenity of his eyes "No one was ever more alone than I!" Madame Patoux drew nearer and listened.
She gave a short laugh of scorn, and resumed the clicking of her needles, not raising her eyes from her work even when her neighbour, the old woman who sold vegetables at the next stall, ventured to address her. "Where is thy unfortunate boy gone to, Martine?" she enquired, "Is it wise to let him be with the Patoux children?
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