After I have humiliated them, I shall give them money, and they will say, '_Absolvo te_.' It is simple.

And they will promise to pray for the repose of my soul when I am dead.

My faith, how easy it is to gain Heaven! A thousand livres, a prayer mumbled in Latin, and look! Heaven is for the going.

The thief and the murderer, the fool and the wise man, the rich and the beggared, how they must jostle one another in the matter of precedence! Poor Lucifer! Who will lend Lucifer a thousand livres and an '_Absolvo te_' ?" Jehan crossed himself, for he was a pious Catholic.
"Hypocrite!" snarled the marquis; "Have I not forbidden you this mummery in my presence?
Begone!" The Swiss clock on the mantel had chimed the first quarter after eight ere the marquis was again disturbed.

He turned in his seat to witness the entrance of his unwelcome guests.