'That you demand,' said the bishop. 'Well, I have suffered so much from your insolence, that a grain more will not crush me. Follow me.' He rose and led the way haughtily into a cabinet; bowing first to Foulon and Berthier, and requesting them to excuse his absence for a moment. 'I will trouble you to bring a candle,' said De Narbonne; 'I have no desire to be closeted with you in the dark.' Lindet returned to the table, and, taking up one of the wax lights, followed the bishop with it into the apartment. 'Now, sir,' said the prelate, throwing himself into a fauteuil, 'tell me at once your business, and then begone!' 'Monseigneur,' Lindet said, earnestly, 'I am ready to submit to you in anything without a murmur. I am ready to make to you an apology for having irritated and annoyed you. I will readily and on my knee ask your pardon for any pain I may have caused you, if you will only listen to me with patience for a few moments.' 'I am ready,' answered the prelate, the severe, sullen look fading from his brow; 'submission comes late, but better late than never.' 'Monseigneur,' continued Lindet, 'the subject on which I have come to speak is of public importance. I know that you, my Lord, have the ear of her majesty the queen.' 'Well,' said the bishop, 'I will not deny it; her most gracious majesty _is_ pleased to listen to and to act upon the advice I, her most unworthy servant, tender to her.' 'I know well, also, my Lord, that the influence exercised by the queen upon the king is paramount, and consequently you have in your power the welfare of the nation.' 'Well,' said De Narbonne, every cloud disappearing from his face, 'perhaps you exaggerate a little; but let that pass, we will for the moment suppose it so. Proceed, my good sir.' 'My Lord, at the present instant the fate of France hangs on the turn of the scale; a feather may incline the balance one way or the other.' 'Possibly you are right,' said the bishop. 'M. Necker has been dismissed.' 'Indeed! how do you know that?'