"It would rejoice my heart to see your prediction fulfilled, commander," said Gerald, laughing. Then, turning to Olivier, he continued: "It will surprise you very much, I think, when I tell you what I know of M. Célestin de Macreuse. I have told you, I believe, how very exclusive the society is in which my mother has always moved, so you can judge of my astonishment when one evening, shortly after my return to Paris, I heard the name of M. de Macreuse announced in my mother's drawing-room. It was the very man. I had retained such an unpleasant recollection of the fellow, that I went to my mother and said:
"'Why do you receive that man who just spoke to you,—that big, light-haired, sallow man?'
"'Why, that is M. de Macreuse,' my mother replied, in tones indicative of the profoundest respect.
"'And who is M. de Macreuse, my dear mother? I never saw him in your house before.'
"'No, for he has just returned from his travels,' she answered. 'He is a very distinguished and highly exemplary young man,—the founder of the St. Polycarpe Mission.'
"'The deuce! And what is the St. Polycarpe Mission, my dear mother?'
"'It is a society that strives to make the poor resigned to their misery by teaching them that the more they suffer here, the happier they will be hereafter.'
"'Se non è vero, è ben trovato,' I laughingly remarked. 'But it seems to me that this fellow has a very plump face to be advocating the good effects of starvation.'
"'My son, I meant every word that I just said to you,' replied my mother, gravely. 'Many highly esteemed persons have connected themselves with M. de Macreuse's work,—a work to which he devotes himself with truly evangelical zeal. But here he comes. I would like to introduce you to him.'
"'Pray do nothing of the kind, mother,' I retorted, quickly. 'I am sure to be impolite; I do not like the gentleman's looks; besides, what I already know of him makes my antipathy to his acquaintance insurmountable. We were at college together, and—'