Page:A French Volunteer of the War of Independence.djvu/213

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
OF THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE.
189


tical character when he was outside the pale of the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church, the following story will testify. M. de Talleyrand had with him a fierce dog, which was a very sagacious animal. When it wanted to enter its master's house it would ring the bell, and if the door was not opened, instead of waiting it would go to the lady's house, and lie upon the bed until the return of the two lovers.

But instead of relating a part of what the Bishop did, it would be preferable to recall to mind what he told us.

Amongst other things he related in his own inimitable manner an account of an interview he had at London with a Gascon refugee. Early one morning he heard a knock at his door, and asked, "Who is there?"

"The Chevalier de C——," replied a wheedling voice with a strong accent of the land of the Garonne.

The Bishop of Autun opened the door, and the Chevalier entered and after a series of bows, said, "M. de Talle3rrand, I have