Chapter 52 - Page 2

this
hotel, where, moreover, I was expected."

The landlord looked at the Franciscan in amazement, but the latter, with
his thumb, made the sign of the cross in a peculiar manner upon his
breast. The host replied by making a similar sign on his left shoulder.
"Yes, indeed," he said, "we did expect you, but we hoped that you would
arrive in a better state of health." And as the peasants were looking at
the innkeeper, usually so supercilious, and saw how respectful he had
become in the presence of a poor monk, the Franciscan drew from a deep
pocket three or four pieces of gold which he held out.

"My friends," said he, "here is something to repay you for the care you
have taken of me. So make yourselves perfectly easy, and do not be
afraid of leaving me here. The order to which I belong, and for which I
am traveling, does not require me to beg; only, as the attention you have
shown me deserves to be rewarded, take these two louis and depart in
peace."

The peasants did not dare to take them; the landlord took the two louis
out of the monk's hand and placed them in that of one of the peasants,
all four of whom withdrew, opening their eyes wider than ever. The door
was then closed; and, while the innkeeper stood respectfully near it, the
Franciscan collected himself for a moment. He then passed across his
sallow face a hand which seemed dried up by fever, and rubbed his nervous
and agitated fingers across his beard. His large eyes, hollowed by
sickness and inquietude, seemed to peruse in the vague distance a
mournful and fixed idea.

"What physicians have you at Fontainebleau?" he inquired, after a long
pause.

"We have three, holy father."

"What are their names?"

"Luiniguet first."

"The next one?"

"A brother of the Carmelite order, named Brother Hubert."

"The next?"

"A secular member, named Grisart."

"Ah! Grisart?" murmured the monk, "send for M. Grisart immediately."

The landlord moved in prompt obedience to the direction.

"Tell me what priests are there here?"

"What priests?"

"Yes; belonging to what orders?"

"There are Jesuits, Augustines, and Cordeliers; but the Jesuits are the
closest at hand. Shall I send for a confessor belonging to the order of
Jesuits?"

"Yes, immediately."

It will be imagined that, at the sign of the cross which they had
exchanged, the landlord and the invalid monk had recognized each other as
two affiliated members of the well-known Society of Jesus. Left to
himself, the Franciscan drew from his pocket a bundle of papers, some of
which he read over with the most careful attention. The violence of his
disorder, however, overcame his courage; his eyes