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if he had been converted to the Roman Catholic faith。
〃No；〃 he said。 〃I hate the inveterate striving of that priesthood
after social influence and political power as cordially as the
fiercest Protestant living。 But let us not forget that the Church
of Rome has great merits to set against great faults。 Its system
is administered with an admirable knowledge of the higher needs
of human nature。 Take as one example what you have just seen。 The
solemn tranquillity of that church； the poor people praying near
me； the few words of prayer by which I silently united myself to
my fellow…creatures； have calmed me and done me good。 In _our_
country I should have found the church closed； out of service
hours。〃 He took my arm and abruptly changed the subject。 〃How
will you occupy yourself；〃 he asked； 〃if my aunt receives me
to…morrow？〃
I assured him that I should easily find ways and means of getting
through the time。 The next morning a message came from Lady
Berrick； to say that she would see her nephew after breakfast。
Left by myself； I walked toward the pier； and met with a man who
asked me to hire his boat。 He had lines and bait； at my service。
Most unfortunately； as the event proved； I decided on occupying
an hour or two by sea fishing。
The wind shifted while we were out； and before we could get back
to the harbor； the tide had turned against us。 It was six o'clock
when I arrived at the hotel。 A little open carriage was waiting
at the door。 I found Romayne impatiently expecting me； and no
signs of dinner on the table。 He informed me that he had accepted
an invitation； in which I was included； and promised to explain
everything in the carriage。
Our driver took the road that led toward the High Town。 I
subordinated my curiosity to my sense of politeness； and asked
for news of his aunt's health。
〃She is seriously ill； poor soul；〃 he said。 〃I am sorry I spoke
so petulantly and s o unfairly when we met at the club。 The near
prospect of death has developed qualities in her nature which I
ought to have seen before this。 No matter how it may be delayed；
I will patiently wait her time for the crossing to England。〃
So long as he believed himself to be in the right； he was； as to
his actions and opinions； one of the most obstinate men I ever
met with。 But once let him be convinced that he was wrong； and he
rushed into the other extremebecame needlessly distrustful of
himself； and needlessly eager in seizing his opportunity of
making atonement。 In this latter mood he was capable （with the
best intentions） of committing acts of the most childish
imprudence。 With some misgivings； I asked how he had amused
himself in my absence。
〃I waited for you；〃 he said； 〃till I lost all patience； and went
out for a walk。 First； I thought of going to the beach； but the
smell of the harbor drove me back into the town； and there； oddly
enough； I met with a man； a certain Captain Peterkin； who had
been a friend of mine at college。〃
〃A visitor to Boulogne？〃 I inquired。
〃Not exactly。〃
〃A resident？〃
〃Yes。 The fact is； I lost sight of Peterkin when I left
Oxfordand since that time he seems to have drifted into
difficulties。 We had a long talk。 He is living here； he tells me；
until his affairs are settled。〃
I needed no further enlightenmentCaptain Peterkin stood as
plainly revealed to me as if I had known him for years。 〃Isn't it
a little imprudent；〃 I said； 〃to renew your acquaintance with a
man of that sort？ Couldn't you have passed him； with a bow？〃
Bolnayne smiled uneasily。 〃I daresay you're right；〃 he answered。
〃But； remember； I had left my aunt； feeling ashamed of the unjust
way in which I had thought and spoken of her。 How did I know that
I mightn't be wronging an old friend next； if I kept Peterkin at
a distance？ His present position may be as much his misfortune；
poor fellow； as his fault。 I was half inclined to pass him； as
you saybut I distrusted my own judgment。 He held out his hand；
and he was so glad to see me。 It can't be helped now。 I shall be
anxious to hear your opinion of him。〃
〃Are we going to dine with Captain Peterkin？〃
〃Yes。 I happened to mention that wretched dinner yesterday at our
hotel。 He said； 'Come to my boarding…house。 Out of Paris； there
isn't such a table d'hote in France。' I tried to get off itnot
caring； as you know； to go among strangersI said I had a friend
with me。 He invited you most cordially to accompany me。 More
excuses on my part only led to a painful result。 I hurt
Peterkin's feelings。 'I'm down in the world；' he said； 'and I'm
not fit company for you and your friends。 I beg your pardon for
taking the liberty of inviting you！' He turned away with the
tears in his eyes。 What could I do？〃
I thought to myself； 〃You could have lent him five pounds； and
got rid of his invitation without the slightest difficulty。〃 If I
had returned in reasonable time to go out with Romayne； we might
not have met the captainor； if we had met him； my presence
would have prevented the confidential talk and the invitation
that followed。 I felt I was to blameand yet； how could I help
it？ It was useless to remonstrate： the mischief was done。
We left the Old Town on our right hand； and drove on； past a
little colony of suburban villas； to a house standing by itself；
surrounded by a stone wall。 As we crossed the front garden on our
way to the door； I noticed against the side of the house two
kennels； inhabited by two large watch…dogs。 Was the proprietor
afraid of thieves？
III。
THE moment we were introduced to the drawing…room； my suspicions
of the company we were likely to meet with were fully confirmed。
〃Cards； billiards； and betting〃there was the inscription
legibly written on the manner and appearance of Captain Peterkin。
The bright…eyed yellow old lady who kept the boarding…house would
have been worth five thousand pounds in jewelry alone； if the
ornaments which profusely covered her had been genuine precious
stones。 The younger ladies present had their cheeks as highly
rouged and their eyelids as elaborately penciled in black as if
they were going on the stage； instead of going to dinner。 We
found these fair creatures drinking Madeira as a whet to their
appetites。 Among the men； there were two who struck me as the
most finished and complete blackguards whom I had ever met with
in all my experience； at home and abroad。 One； with a brown face
and a