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My uncle began to be jealous of the priest's insinuation, and very abruptly declared that if ever I should renounce my religion he would break off all connection and correspondence with me. I told him I was determined against any alteration in point of religion. The priest shook his head, and sighed, saying. Ah! son, son, what a glorious prospect is here spoiled by your stubborn prejudice! However I am acquainted with some people of rank at Versailles, to whom I can give you letters of recommendation, so that you may be entertained by some of them. I embraced his offer and he appointed me to come in the afternoon when he would not only give me the letters, but introduce me to a capuchin of his acquaintance, who intended to set out next morning to Paris, in whose company I might travel, without being at the expence of one livre during the whole journey. He performed his promise, by making me acquainted with the capuchin, with whom I departed next morning by break of day.
It was not long before I discovered my fellow traveller to be a merry facetious fellow, who loved good eating and drinking better than his rosary. His name was Frere Balthazer: and as he was perfectly well known on the road, we fared sumptuously without any cost. We took up our lodging the first night at a peasant's house, not far from
Abbe
