"Don't give me the credit of it, my dear abbé," replied Célestin, with ironical modesty. "Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's."
"And to what Cæsar am I to attribute this admirable idea for a first interview?"
"To the author of these lines, my dear abbé." And in a sardonic tone, M. de Macreuse repeated:
| "'Ah, if you had but seen him as I first saw him, |
| You would feel for him the same fondness that I feel. |
| Each day to church he came with gentle air, |
| To kneel devoutly right before me, |
| And attracted the gaze of all assembled there, |
| By the sincerity and ardour of his prayer.' |
"You see everything has been planned for me, even to offering the holy water on leaving the church," added Macreuse. "And yet, people persist in declaring that the writings of this impious playwright are immoral and reprehensible."
"That's pretty good, upon my word!" cried the abbé, laughing heartily. "Well, Heaven speed the good cause, whatever may be the weapons used! You have everything to hope for, my dear Célestin. You are clever and persevering, and more likely to make a favourable impression on the orphan than any one I know. I would advise, however, that you be extremely careful about your dress. Let it be rich, but not gaudy, and characterised always by that elegant simplicity which is the perfection of good taste. Let me look at you a minute, Yes," continued the abbé, after scrutinising the young man closely for a moment, "you had better give a slight wave to your hair instead of wearing it smooth. It takes something more than fine talk to captivate a young girl's fancy."
"Oh, you need feel no uneasiness, my dear abbé, I understand all those little matters. I know, too, that the greatest victories are often won by trivial means. And success in this instance means the most delightful and blissful future of which man ever dreamed," exclaimed Célestin, his eyes sparkling joyously.
"And you will attain this success, for all the resources at our disposal—and they are immense—will be employed, if need be."
"Ah, my indebtedness to you will be immeasurable."
"And your success will not benefit you alone!"