"Monseigneur felt himself more feeble this evening, and desired monsieur to come without delay. If they found you absent, M. Jean was to fetch M. Pinot at once. I got him to talk about that affair at Minguard, which kept him a little; but it is too horrible to think of that other creature's triumph. If monsieur were to walk very fast?" "There is no occasion for such an exertion, Marie, since M. Pinot is there. Monseigneur is quite safe with him." "Monsieur will not go?" "Oh, yes, I shall go. Only I should like my coffee first. And, stay, have there been no other messages?" "Only one from that old Andre. The boy is worse--or so they said." "Why did you not say so?" demanded M. Deshoulieres, sternly. "Give me my coat at once." "But, monsieur, the coffee--" "Give me my coat." "Monseigneur--" But the doctor was clattering down the stairs. "What a man!" muttered Veuve Angelin, throwing up her hands. "He is no more fit to manage his affairs than a child--an idiot! I do what I can, but he overthrows every thing. Monseigneur sending for him, that wretched little Pinot longing to jump into his shoes, and in the face of it all he first orders coffee, and then rushes off to that old misery Andre, from whom he will never get a _sou_. It upsets my nerves to think of it. Monseigneur at the Eveche, and that boy of old Andre's in a hole of a place, both wanting him, and he must choose to go to the boy! And M. Jean was so agreeable! It is true, as he says, that I have a great deal of solitude to endure here, but one could bear a great deal if those one lived with were only reasonable. And there will be that cook of M. Pinot's giving herself airs at the market to-morrow! I will take care to let them know whom M. Jean came to first--but monsieur never arrives at taking his position, do what I will." It was midnight before M. Deshoulieres reached the Eveche; the Bishop's nephew received him freezingly. "It is some hours since we sent to request your services, monsieur." "When I reached my house, Monsieur l'Abbe, I understood that your servant had wisely gone on to M. Pinot, and knowing Monseigneur to be in good hands I obeyed a pressing summons to a poor boy whose state gives me great uneasiness." M. l'Abbe stared. Here was the chief pastor of the flock lying upstairs, sick and weary, and this doctor-- occupying himself with attendance upon one of the very poorest of the sheep. He answered stiffly:-- "M. Pinot is at this moment with the Bishop." The doctor bowed. "He appears to understand the case, and I do not think we need deprive your other patients of your time." "Under those circumstances, as I am very sleepy, M. l'Abbe," said M. Deshoulieres cheerfully, "I shall go and indulge myself with great satisfaction. With Monseigneur's symptoms, you may have perfect confidence in Monsieur Pinot."