"I have a promise from the University of Orleans."
"A certificate of good life and manners."
"Then your highness will give me one. The signature of the regent of France must have as much weight at Rome as that of a wicked cardinal."
"Dubois," said the regent, "a little more respect, if you please, for the princes of the Church."
"You are right, monseigneur. There is no saying what one may become."
"You, a cardinal!" cried the regent, laughing.
"Certainly. I do not see why I should not be pope some day."
"May God give us both a long life, monseigneur, and you will see that, and many other things."
"Pardieu!" said the regent, "you know that I laugh at death."
"Well, you will make a poltroon of me by curiosity."
"It would be none the worse; and to commence, monseigneur would do well to discontinue his nocturnal excursions."
"In the first place because they endanger his life."
"Because," said Dubois, assuming a hypocritical air, "they are a subject of scandal for the Church!"
"You see, monsieur," said Dubois, turning to Tressan, "in the midst of what libertines and hardened sinners I am obliged to live. I hope that your eminence will consider my position, and will not be too severe upon me."
"We will do our best, monsieur," said Tressan.
"And when?" asked Dubois, who was unwilling to lose an hour.
"Very well; on the fourth I shall be at your orders."
"Only I warn you beforehand, abbe," answered the regent, "that one person of some importance will be absent at your consecration."
"And who will dare to do me that injury?"
"You, monseigneur! You will be there, and in your official gallery."
"On Wednesday, M. de Tressan. At my consecration, monseigneur."
And Dubois left the room highly delighted, and spread about everywhere the news of his nomination. Still Dubois was wrong on one point, namely, the adhesion of the Cardinal de Noailles. No menace or promise could draw from him the attestation to good life and morals which Dubois flattered himself he should obtain at his hands. It is true that he was the only one who dared to make this holy and noble opposition to the scandal with which the Church was menaced. The University of Orleans gave the licenses, and everything was ready on the appointed day. Dubois left at five o'clock in the morning, in a hunting-dress, for Pautoix, where he found M. de Tressan, who, according to his promise, bestowed on him the deaconship, the archdeaconship, and the priesthood. At twelve all was finished; and at four, after having attended the regent's council, which was held at the old Louvre in consequence of the measles having, as we have said, attacked the Tuileries, Dubois returned home in the dress of an archbishop.