VALOUR AND PRUDENCE. 65

vanity, or think more highly of yourself than you
ought to think on account of your achievement,
however honourable; for I trust you know and feel
that, before our Maker, we are all but as potter’s clay.’

‘My lord,’ replied Walter, pausing in some per-

‘xity, ‘I would fain hope my ideas on the subject

-ever besuch as befit a Christian and a gentleman.’

Well, well,’ said Louis, hastily, ‘on that point I
meant not to express a doubt, and,’ added he, ‘seeing
that you give promise of being a preuhomme, I pray
€od. out of His goodness, that you may prove a
preuchomme as well as a preuhomme.’

‘Sire,’ said Walter, looking puzzled, ‘you must
pardon me when I confess that 1 comprehend not
clearly the distinction.’

‘Ah,’ replied Louis, smiling, and shaking his head
oravely, ‘the distinction is of much consequence;
for know that by preuhomme I mean a man who
is valiant and bold in person, whereas by preud-
homme I signify one who is prudent, discreet, and
who fears God, and has a good conscience.’

Walter bowed again; and, being at a loss for
words to answer, took refuge in silence. In fact, he
began to feel so awkward that he wished nothing so
fervently as that the interview would come to an
end; and Louis, after condescending to ask some
more. questions, and inculcate some more lessons,
dismissed him with words of encouragement, and
gifted him with an amulet in the form of a ring, |
which bore on it this inscription—

Who wears me shall perform exploits,
And with great joy return.