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〃Until there is proof positive and complete of the fact； Ambrosius must
be defended against these infamous calumnies； the work of a party that
never shrinks from； monstrous inventions。 Go on！〃
〃Thompson； of Liverpool； has at length succeeded in procuring for Justin
the place of agent or manager to Lord Stewart； a rich Irish Catholic；
whose head grows daily weaker。〃
〃Let the fact be once verified； and Thompson shall have a premium of
fifty louis。 Make a note of it for Duplessis。 Proceed。〃
〃Frantz Dichstein； of Vienna；〃 resumed Rodin； 〃announces that his father
has just died of the cholera； in a little village at some leagues from
that city： for the epidemic continues to advance slowly； coming from the
north of Russia by way of Poland。〃
〃It is true；〃 said Rodin's master； interrupting him； 〃may its terrible
march be stayed； and France be spared。〃
〃Frantz Dichstein；〃 resumed Rodin； 〃says that his two brothers are
determined to contest the donation made by his father； but that he is of
an opposite opinion。〃
〃Consult the two persons that are charged with all matters of litigation。
What next？〃
〃The Cardinal Prince d'Amalfi will conform to the three first points of
the proposal： he demands to make a reservation upon the fourth point。〃
〃No reserve！Either full and absolute acceptanceor else warand （mark
me well） war without mercyon him and his creatures。 Go on！〃
〃Fra Paolo announces that the Prince Boccari； chief of a redoubtable
secret society； in despair at seeing his friends accuse him of treachery；
in consequence of suspicions excited in their minds by Fra Paolo himself；
has committed suicide。〃
〃Boccari！ is it possible？〃 cried Rodin's master。 〃Boccari！ the patriot
Boccari！ so dangerous a person！〃
〃The patriot Boccari；〃 repeated the impassible secretary。
〃Tell Duplessis to send an order for five…and…twenty louis to Fra Paolo。
Make a note of it。〃
〃Hausman informs us that the French dancer； Albertine Ducornet； is the
mistress of the reigning prince； she has the most complete influence over
him； and it would be easy through her means to arrive at the end
proposed； but that she is herself governed by her lover （condemned in
France as a forger）； and that she does nothing without consulting him。〃
Let Hausman get hold of this manif his claims are reasonable； accede to
themand learn if the girl has any relations in Paris。〃
〃The Duke d'Orbano announces； that the king his master will authorize the
new establishment； but on the conditions previously stated。〃
〃No condition！either a frank adhesion or a positive refusal。 Let us
know our friends from our enemies。 The more unfavorable the
circumstances； the more we must show firmness； and overbear opposition by
confidence in ourselves。〃
〃The same also announces； that the whole of the corps diplomatique
continues to support the claims of the father of that young Protestant
girl； who refuses to quit the convent where she has taken refuge； unless
it be to marry her lover against her father's will。〃
〃Ah！ the corps diplomatique continues to remonstrate in the father's
name？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃Then； continue to answer； that the spiritual power has nothing to do
with the temporal。〃
At this moment； the bell of the outer door again sounded twice。 〃See who
it is；〃 said Rodin's master； and the secretary rose and left the room。
The other continued to walk thoughtfully up and down； till； coming near
to the huge globe； he stopped short before it。
For some time he contemplated； in profound silence； the innumerable
little red crosses； which appeared to cover； as with an immense net； all
the countries of the earth。 Reflecting doubtless on the invisible action
of his power； which seemed to extend over the whole world； the features
of this man became animated； his large gray eye sparkled； his nostrils
swelled； and his manly countenance assumed an indescribable expression of
pride； energy； and daring。 With haughty brow and scornful lip； he drew
still nearer to the globe； and leaned his strong hand upon the pole。
This powerful pressure； an imperious movement； as of one taking
possession； seemed to indicate； that he felt sure of governing this
globe； on which he looked down from the height of his tall figure； and on
which he rested his hand with so lofty and audacious an air of
sovereignty。
But now he no longer smiled。 His eye threatened； and his large forehead
was clad with a formidable scowl。 The artist； who had wished to paint
the demon of craft and pride； the infernal genius of insatiable
domination； could not have chosen a more suitable model。
When Rodin returned； the face of his master had recovered its ordinary
expression。 〃It is the postman；〃 said Rodin； showing the letters which
he held in his hand； 〃there is nothing from Dunkirk。〃
〃Nothing？〃 cried his masterand his painful emotion formed a strange
contrast to his late haughty and implacable expression of countenance
〃nothing？ no news of my mother？Thirty…six hours more； then； of
anxiety。〃
〃It seems to me； that； if the princess had bad news to give； she would
have written。 Probably the improvement goes on。〃
〃You are doubtless right； Rodinbut no matterI am far from easy。 If；
to…morrow； the news should not be completely satisfactory； I set out for
the estate of the princess。 Why would my mother pass the autumn in that
part of the country？ The environs of Dunkirk do not； I fear； agree with
her。〃
After a few moments' silence； he added； as he continued to walk： 〃Well
these letterswhence are they？〃
Rodin looked at the post…marks； and replied： 〃Out of the four there are
three relative to the great and important affairs of the medals。〃
〃Thank heaven！provided the news be favorable；〃 cried his master； with
an expression of uneasiness； which showed how much importance he attached
to this affair。
〃One is from Charlestown； and no doubt relative to Gabriel； the
missionary；〃 answered Rodin； 〃this other from Batavia； and no doubt
concerns the Indian； Djalma。 The third is from Leipsic； and will
probably confirm that received yesterday； in which the lion…tamer； Morok；
informed us； that； in accordance with his orders； and without his being
compromised in any way； the daughters of General Simon would not be able
to continue their journey。〃
At the name of General Simon； a cloud passed over the features of Rodin's
master。
CHAPTER XVI。
THE ORDERS。
The principal houses correspond with that in Paris； they are also in
direct communication with the General； who resides at Rome。 The
correspondence of the Jesuits so active； various； and organized in so
wonderful a manner； has for its object to supply the heads with all the
information they can require。 Every day； the General receives a host of
reports； which serve to check one another。 In the central house； at
Rome； are immense registers； in which are inscribed the names of all the
Jesuits； of their adherents； and of all the considerable persons； whether
friends or enemies； with whom they have any connection。 In these
registers are reported； without alteration； hatred or passion the facts
relating to the life of each individual。 It is the