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north of Belgium； they are accustomed to different temperatures。〃
〃Just as your highness pleases；〃 said Mrs。 Grivois； as she placed two
enormous logs on the fire； 〃but in such a heat as there is here his
Lordship might really be suffocated。〃
〃I also find it too warm； but does not our holy religion teach us lessons
of self…sacrifice and mortification？〃 said the princess； with a touching
expression of devotion。
We have now explained the cause of the rather gay attire of the princess。
She was preparing for a reception of prelates； who； along with Father
d'Aigrigny and other dignitaries of the Church； had already held at the
princely house a sort of council on a small scale。 A young bride who
gives her first ball； an emancipated minor who gives his first bachelor's
dinner； a woman of talent who reads aloud for the first time her first
unpublished work； are not more joyous and proud； and； at the same time；
more attentive to their guests； than was this lady with her prelates。 To
behold great interests discussed in her house； and in her presence； to
hear men of acknowledged ability ask her advice upon certain practical
matters relating to the influence of female congregations； filled the
princess with pride； as her claims to consideration were thus sanctioned
by Lordships and Eminences； and she took the position； as it were； of a
mother of the Church。 Therefore； to win these prelates； whether native
or foreign； she had recourse to no end of saintly flatteries and
sanctified coaxing。 Nor could anything be more logical than these
successive transfigurations of this heartless woman； who only loved
sincerely and passionately the pursuit of intrigue and domination。 With
the progress of age； she passed naturally from the intrigues of love to
those of politics； and from the latter to those of religion。
At the moment she finished inspecting her preparations； the sound of
coaches was heard in the courtyard； apprising her of the arrival of the
persons she had been expecting。 Doubtless； these persons were of the
highest rank； for contrary to all custom； she went to receive them at the
door of her outer saloon。 It was； indeed； Cardinal Malipieri； who was
always cold； with the Belgian Bishop of Halfagen； who was always hot。
They were accompanied by Father d'Aigrigny。 The Roman cardinal was a
tall man； rather bony than thin； with a yellowish puffy countenance；
haughty and full of craft； he squinted a good deal； and his black eyes
were surrounded by a deep brown circle。 The Belgian Bishop was short；
thick； and fat； with a prominent abdomen； an apoplectic complexion； a
slow； deliberate look； and a soft； dimpled； delicate hand。
The company soon assembled in the great saloon。 The cardinal instantly
crept close to the fire； whilst the bishop； beginning to sweat and blow；
cast longing glances at the iced chocolate and coffee； which were to aid
him in sustaining the oppressive heat of the artificial dog…day。 Father
d'Aigrigny； approaching the princess； said to her in a low voice： 〃Will
you give orders for the admittance of Abbe Gabriel de Rennepont； when he
arrives？〃
〃Is that young priest then here？〃 asked the princess； with extreme
surprise。
〃Since the day before yesterday。 We had him sent for to Paris； by his
superiors。 You shall know all。 As for Father Rodin； let Mrs。 Grivois
admit him； as the other day； by the little door of the back stairs。〃
〃He will come to…day？〃
〃He has very important matters to communicate。 He desires that both the
cardinal and the bishop should be present for they have been informed of
everything at Rome by the Superior General； in their quality of
associates。〃
The princess rang the bell； gave the necessary orders； and； returning
towards the cardinal； said to him； in a tone of the most earnest
solicitude： 〃Does your Eminence begin to feel a little warmer？ Would
your Eminence like a bottle of hot water to your feet？ Shall we make a
larger fire for your Eminence？〃
At this proposition； the Belgian bishop； who was wiping the perspiration
from his forehead； heaved a despairing sigh。
〃A thousand thanks； princess；〃 answered the cardinal to her； in very good
French； but with an intolerable Italian accent； 〃I am really overcome
with so much kindness。〃
〃Will not your Lordship take some refreshment？〃 said the princess to the
bishop； as she turned towards the sideboard。
〃With your permission； madame； I will take a little iced coffee；〃 said
the prelate； making a prudent circuit to approach the dishes without
passing before the fire。
〃And will not your Eminence try one of these little oyster…patties？ They
are quite hot；〃 said the princess。
〃I know them already； princess；〃 said the cardinal； with the air and look
of an epicure； 〃they are delicious； and I cannot resist the temptation。〃
〃What wine shall I have the honor to offer your Eminence？〃 resumed the
princess； graciously。
〃A little claret； if you please； madame；〃 and as Father d'Aigrigny
prepared to fill the cardinal's glass； the princess disputed with him
that pleasure。
〃Your Eminence will doubtless approve what I have done；〃 said Father
d'Aigrigny to the cardinal； whilst the latter was gravely despatching the
oyster…patties； 〃in not summoning for to…day the Bishop of Mogador； the
Archbishop of Nanterre； and our holy Mother Perpetue； the lady…superior
of St。 Mary Convent； the interview we are about to have with his
Reverence Father Rodin and Abbe Gabriel being altogether private and
confidential。〃
〃Our good father was perfectly right；〃 said the cardinal； 〃for； though
the possible consequences of this Rennepont affair may interest the whole
Church； there are some things that are as well kept secret。〃
〃Then I must seize this opportunity to thank your Eminence for having
deigned to make an exception in favor of a very obscure and humble
servant of the Church；〃 said the princess to the cardinal； with a very
deep and respectful curtsey。
〃It is only just and right； madame；〃 replied the cardinal； bowing as he
replaced his empty glass upon the table； 〃we know how much the Church is
indebted to you for the salutary direction you give to the religious
institutions of which you are the patroness。〃
〃With regard to that； your Eminence may be assured that I always refuse
assistance to any poor person who cannot produce a certificate from the
confessional。〃
〃And it is only thus； madame；〃 resumed the cardinal； this time allowing
himself to be tempted by the attractions of the crawfish's tails； 〃it is
only thus that charity has any meaning。 I care little that the
irreligious should feel hunger； but with the pious it is different；〃 and
the prelate gayly swallowed a mouthful。 〃Moreover；〃 resumed he； 〃it is
well known with what ardent zeal you pursue the impious； and those who
are rebels against the authority of our Holy Father。〃
〃Your Eminence may feel convinced that I am Roman in heart and soul； I
see no difference between a Gallican and a Turk；〃 said the princess；
bravely。
〃The princess is right；〃 said the Belgian bishop： 〃I will go further； and
assert that a Gallican should be more odious to the church than a pagan。
In this r