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The Abbé was then ushered into the presence of the magistrate, who could not help laughing at the sight of the ludicrous figure; but soon resuming a grave look, and accustomed to make short work of such matters, he thus addressed him:—"I am already acquainted with every thing: confess then who you are, and what has induced you to appear in this disguise." The Abbé, never doubting the truth of so positive a declaration, frankly related the motives which had brought him into this awkward scrape. The magistrate dubiously shook his head, because this story was in direct contradiction to his former assertion. "This is a mere subterfuge," said he, "but it will avail you nothing. I shall soon get to the bottom of the affair."

At these words he pulled a bell; an officer entered; he whispered something in his ear, and the man retired. The magistrate uttered not another syllable, and the Abbé waited a quarter of an hour in painful uncertainty respecting his fate. All at once the magistrate again addressed him: "Have you recollected yourself?" said he, "Will you confess the truth?"—"That I have already done," replied the Abbé in a tremulous voice; "I have nothing more to confess."—"Your trembling betrays that you have not a good conscience: you only aggravate your fate by your obstinacy."

The poor old man shrugged his shoulders;