And withal he looked a pleasant companion, full of wit to the tip of his little pointed nose, the nose of a sporting dog that is ever scenting game.

"What can I do for you, Monsieur l'Abbe ?" he inquired.
Then Pierre briefly presented his request, recounting his visit to Laveuve that morning, giving every heart-rending particular, and asking for the poor wretch's immediate admittance to the Asylum.
"Laveuve!" said the other, "but hasn't his affair been examined?
Why, Duthil drew up a report on it, and things appeared to us of such a nature that we could not vote for the man's admittance." But the priest insisted: "I assure you, monsieur, that your heart would have burst with compassion had you been with me this morning.

It is revolting that an old man should be left in such frightful abandonment even for another hour.

He must sleep at the Asylum to-night." Fonsegue began to protest.

"To-night! But it's impossible, altogether impossible! There are all sorts of indispensable formalities to be observed.