And so as he, Pierre, before going off with Francois, approached Bertheroy to wish him good day, he pointedly remarked: "Guillaume will be very sorry that he was unable to hear you unfold those admirable ideas." The old _savant_ smiled.

"Pooh!" said he; "just give him a summary of what I said.

He will understand.

He knows more about the matter than I do." In presence of the illustrious chemist, Francois preserved the silent gravity of a respectful pupil, but when he and Pierre had taken a few steps down the street in silence, he remarked: "What a pity it is that a man of such broad intelligence, free from all superstition, and anxious for the sole triumph of truth, should have allowed himself to be classified, ticketed, bound round with titles and academical functions! How greatly our affection for him would increase if he took less State pay, and freed himself from all the grand cordons which tie his hands." "What would you have!" rejoined Pierre, in a conciliatory spirit.

"A man must live! At the same time I believe that he does not regard himself as tied by anything." Then, as they had reached the entrance of the Ecole Normale, the priest stopped, thinking that his companion was going back to the college.