great joy on learning of the bishopric given your nephew, my reverend seigneur Pierre Verse. Is he not Bishop of Amiens?”

“Yes, monsieur Archdeacon; it is a grace and mercy of God.”

“Do you know that you made a great figure on Christmas Day at the bead of your company of the chamber of accounts, Monsieur President?”

“Vice-President, Dom Claude.

Alas! nothing more.”

“How is your superb house in the Rue Saint-Andr� des Arcs coming on? ‘Tis a Louvre. I love greatly the apricot tree which is carved on the door, with this play of words: ‘A L’ABRI-COTIER — Sheltered from reefs.’”