He went to open it and found himself face to face with Abbe Miollens.

From the moment of their first meeting, Samuel Brohl had conceived for the abbe that warm sympathy, that strong liking, with which he was always inspired by people in whom he believed he recognised useful animals who might be of advantage to him, whom he considered destined to render him some essential service.

He seldom mistook; he was a admirable diagnostician; he recognised at first sight the divine impress of predestination.

He gave the most cordial reception to his reverend friend, and ushered him into his modest quarters with all the more _empressement_, because he detected at once the mysterious, rather agitated air he wore.

"Does he come in the quality of a diplomatic agent, charged with some mission extraordinary ?" he asked himself.