"It is a strange hour for business," she said severely.
"The King may come at all hours," he answered soothingly: "is it
not so? By the law he may enter when he wills."
"You are not the King, monsieur," she objected, with her head
held up sedately.
"Or the Governor may come, good Mother?"
"You are not the Governor, Monsieur Doltaire," she said, more
sharply still.
"But a Governor may demand admittance to this convent, and by
the order of his Most Christian Majesty he may not be refused:
is it not so?"
"Must I answer the catechism of Monsieur Doltaire?"
"But is it not so?" he asked again urbanely.
"It is so, yet how does that concern you, monsieur?"
"In every way," and he smiled.
"This is unseemly, monsieur. What is your business?"
"The Governor's business, good Mother."
"Then let the Governor's messenger give his message and depart
in peace," she answered, her hand upon the door.
"Not the Governor's messenger, but the Governor himself," he
rejoined gravely.
He turned and was about to shut the door, but she stopped him.
"This is no house for jesting, monsieur," she said. "I will arouse
the town if you persist.--Sister," she added to one standing near,
"the bell!"
"You fill your office with great dignity and merit, Mere St.
George," he said, as he put out his hand and stayed the Sister.
"I commend you for your discretion.
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