ST. CLOUD. 153 



and the faces of tlie villagers, their wives and children, 

 blocked up the doorway of the sacristy. The king com- 

 menced to be rather annoyed and embarrassed. 



" Sire," respectfully observed the cur6, taking up the pen, 

 and dipping it again into the ink, which had dried upon the 

 quill during this interlude of astonishment and enthusiasm, 

 " I must write, then, upon the baptismal register, Monsieur 

 LeKoiT 



"Of France!" replied, loudly, Charles X. "You per- 

 ceive I have told you the truth. And as to the name of the 

 child Charles !" 



At this moment a fresh chorus of vwats commenced, and 

 the whole nave of the church resounded with Vive le Roi ! 

 It is needless to add that the cure", the clerk, the church, the 

 mother of the child, and the godmother, were made fully 

 sensible of the service the king had rendered them in re- 

 placing the Cousin Francois. Charles X. was remarkable for 

 his liberality towards poor and honest people. 



One man distinguished himself amongst the rest by his 

 enthusiastic applause as the king left the church. It was 

 the same who had recognised him, and the poacher, who, by 

 his bounty and generosity, had been reclaimed from his 

 former habits. He related to everybody the story of his 

 rencontre with his Majesty, and the kind words that had 

 been addressed to him, souvenirs not easily forgotten, and 

 which pass down to posterity like titles and family pictures. 



On arriving at Yilleneuve 1'Etang, the king related this 

 scene to Madame la Dauphine, who was much interested by 

 it, and the same day sent some proofs of her generosity to 

 his majesty's godson. Afterwards the king often inquired 

 after the health of little Charles, and promised to look 

 after his interest. Alas ! poor child, at the time of his birth 

 what king of France could guarantee his future prospects ? 



