“’Gabriel is five-and-twenty; disposition as angelic as his countenance; rare and solid virtues; unfortunately he was brought up with his adopted brother, Agricola, Dagobert’s son.  This Agricola is a poet and workman—­but an excellent workman; he is employed by M. Hardy; has imbibed the most detestable doctrines; fond of his mother; honest, laborious, but without religious feeling.  Marked as very dangerous.  This causes his intimacy with Gabriel to be feared.

“’The latter, notwithstanding his excellent qualities, sometimes causes uneasiness.  We have even delayed confiding in him fully.  A false step might make him, too, one of the most dangerous.  Much precaution must be used then, especially till the 13th of February; since, we repeat it, on him, on his presence in Paris at that time, depend immense hopes and equally important interests.

“’Among other precautions, we have consented to his taking part in the American mission, for he unites with angelic sweetness of character a calm intrepidity and adventurous spirit which could only be satisfied by allowing him to engage in the perilous existence of the missionaries.  Luckily, his superiors at Charlestown have received the strictest orders not to endanger, on any account, so precious a life.  They are to send him to Paris, at least a month or two before February 13th."’

Rodin’s master again interrupted him, and said:  “Read the letter from Charlestown, and see what it tells you in order to complete the information upon this point also.”

When he had read the letter, Rodin went on:  “Gabriel is expected every day from the Rocky Mountains, whither he had absolutely insisted on going alone upon a mission.”

“What imprudence!”

“He has no doubt escaped all danger, as he himself announces his speedy return to Charlestown.  As soon as he arrives, which cannot (they write) be later than the middle of this month, he will be shipped off for France.”

“Add this to the note which concerns him,” said Rodin’s master.

“It is written,” replied the secretary, a few moments later.

“Proceed, then,” said his master.  Rodin continued

“’Note, No.  VI. 
“’Adrienne Rennepont de Cardoville.

“’Distantly related (without knowing it) to Jacques Rennepont, alias Sleepinbuff, and Gabriel Rennepont, missionary priest.  She will soon be twenty-one years of age, the most attractive person in the world—­extraordinary beauty, though red-haired—­a mind remarkable for its originality—­immense fortune—­all the animal instincts.  The incredible independence of her character makes one tremble for the future fate of this young person.  Happily, her appointed guardian, Baron Tripeaud (a baron of 1829 creation, formerly agent to the late Count of Rennepont, Duke of Cardoville), is quite in the interest, and almost in the dependence, of the young lady’s aunt.  We count, with reason, upon this worthy and respectable relative, and on the Baron Tripeaud, to oppose and repress the singular, unheard-of designs which this young person, as resolute as independent, does not fear to avow—­and which, unfortunately, cannot be turned to account in the interest of the affair in question—­for—­”