He brought charges against the weird world of Presles with
an insouciance and brutality which defeated their own aim. He described
the vices of his master and the sins of the servants in a slang which
would sit more gracefully upon an idle roysterer than upon a pious Abbe.
And, his story ended, he leered at the Court with the satisfaction of
one who had discharged a fearsome duty.
But his rascality overshot its mark; the Marquise, obedient to his
priestly casuistry, displayed too fierce a zeal in the execution of his
commands. And he took to flight, hoping to lose in the larger world of
Paris the notoriety which his prowess won him among the poor despised
Berrichons. He left behind for our consolation a snatch of philosophy
which helps to explain his last and greatest achievement. 'Those who
have money exist only to be fleeced.' Thus he spake with a reckless
revelation of self. Yet the mystery of his being is still unpierced. He
is traitor, schemer, spy; but is he an Abbe? Perhaps not. At any rate,
he once attended the 'Messe des Morts,' and was heard to mumble a
'Credo,' which, as every good Catholic remembers, has no place in that
solemn service.
*****
Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty at the Edinburgh
University Press
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Book of Scoundrels, by Charles Whibley
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BOOK OF SCOUNDRELS ***
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