On my arrival, I found him in bed, with a royal commissioner seated beside him, who was talking to him with great show of courtesy, while my uncle looked much wearied.

The bishop of Valence was on the other side of his bed.

Finding myself in such high company, I fell back, and awaited a better opportunity of presenting myself.
The commissioner was inquiring very sedulously after my uncle's health, and assuring him he respected him greatly, and wished to show him favor.
"We have been constrained," said he, "to subject several of your colleagues to temporary confinement, but I have great hope that nothing of the kind will be necessary in your case, if you are a man of wisdom who know how to comply with exigencies as they arise, and thereby set an example to those around you.

To this end the bishop has come to put a few easy interrogations.

It is a mere form, and I am sure you will make no difficulty." My uncle thanked him for his kind expressions, but said he had a Master in heaven to whom he owed his first duty.
"So have we all," interposed the bishop.