soft and contemplative Brahmins, the child-like Chinese,

which gave him somewhat the air of the abbes of former times. His

countenance did not belie him. Pere Cardot belonged to that race of

lively Gerontes which is now disappearing rapidly, though it once

served as Turcarets to the comedies and tales of the eighteenth

century. Uncle Cardot always said "Fair lady," and he placed in their

carriages, and otherwise paid attention to those women whom he saw

without protectors; he "placed himself at their disposition," as he

But beneath his calm air and his snowy poll he concealed an old age