hadtakenrootinthebrokenwall;twoenormouspinesstandingcloseagainsttheapsisservedaslightning—rods。Thecemetery，enclosedbyalow，half—ruinedwall，hadforornamentanironcross，mountedonapedestalandhungwithbox，blessedatEaster，——oneofthoseaffectingChristianthoughtsforgottenincities。Thevillagerectoristheonlypriestwho，inthesedays，thinkstogoamonghisdeadandsaytothemeachEastermorn，\"Thoushaltliveagain！\"Hereandthereafewrottenwoodencrossesstoodupfromthegrassymounds。
Theinteriorofthechurchharmonizedperfectlywiththepoetictangleofthehumbleexterior，theluxuryandartofwhichwasbestowedbyTime，foronceinawaycharitable。Within，theeyefirstwenttotheroof，linedwithchestnut，towhichagehadgiventherichesttintsoftheoldestwoodsofEurope。Thisroofwassupportedatequaldistancesbystrongshaftsrestingontransversalbeams。Thefourwhite—washedwallshadnoornamentwhatever。Povertyhadmadetheparishiconoclastic，whetheritwouldornot。Thechurch，pavedandfurnishedwithbenches，waslightedbyfourarchedwindowswithleadedpanes。
Thealtar，shapedlikeatomb，wasadornedbyalargecrucifixplacedaboveatabernacleinwalnutwithafewgiltmouldings，keptcleanandshining，eightcandlestickseconomicallymadeofwoodpaintedwhite，andtwochinavasesfilledwithartificialflowerssuchasthedrudgeofamoney—changerwouldhavedespised，butwithwhichGodwassatisfied。
Thesanctuarylampwasanight—wickplacedinanoldholy—waterbasinofplatedcopperhangingbysilkencords，thespoilofsomedemolishedchateau。Thebaptismalfontswereofwood;sowerethepulpitandasortofcageprovidedforthechurch—wardens，thepatriciansofthevillage。AnaltartotheVirginpresentedtopublicadmirationtwocoloredlithographsinsmallgiltframes。Thealtarwaspaintedwhite，adornedwithartificialflowersingildedwoodenvases，andcoveredbyaclothedgedwithshabbyanddiscoloredlace。
Atthefartherendofthechurchalongwindowentirelycoveredbyaredcalicocurtainproducedamagicaleffect。Thiscrimsonmantlecastarosytintuponthewhitewashedwalls;athoughtdivineseemedtoglowuponthealtarandclaspthepoornaveasiftowarmit。Thepassagewhichledtothesacristyexhibitedononeofitswallsthepatronsaintofthevillage，alargeSaintJohntheBaptistwithhissheep，carvedinwoodandhorriblypainted。
Butinspiteofallthispovertythechurchwasnotwithoutsometenderharmoniesdelightfultochoicesouls，andsetincharmingreliefbytheirowncolors。Therichdarktonesofthewoodrelievedthewhiteofthewallsandblendedwiththetriumphalcrimsoncastonthechancel。ThistrinityofcolorwasareminderofthegrandCatholicdoctrine。
IfsurprisewasthefirstemotionrousedbythispitifulhouseoftheLord，surprisewasfollowedspeedilybyadmirationmingledwithpity。
Diditnottrulyexpressthepovertyofthatpoorregion？Wasitnotinharmonywiththenaivesimplicityoftheparsonage？Thebuildingwasperfectlycleanandwell—kept。Thefragranceofcountryvirtuesexhaledwithinit;nothingshowedneglectorabandonment。Thoughrusticandpoorandsimple，prayerdweltthere;thoseprecinctshadasoul，——asoulwhichwasfelt，thoughwemightnotfullyexplaintoourownsoulshowwefeltit。
VIII
THERECTOROFMONTEGNAC
TheAbbeGabrielglidedsoftlythroughthechurchsoasnottodisturbthedevotionsoftwogroupsofpersonsonthebenchesnearthehighaltar，whichwasseparatedfromthenaveattheplacewherethelampwashungbyarathercommonbalustrade，alsoofchestnutwood，andcoveredwithaclothintendedforthecommunion。Oneithersideofthenaveascoreofpeasants，menandwomen，absorbedinferventprayer，paidnoattentiontothestrangerwhenhepassedupthenarrowpassagebetweenthetworowsofseats。
Whentheyoungabbestoodbeneaththelamp，whencehecouldseethetwolittletranseptswhichformedacross，oneofwhichledtothesacristy，theothertothecemetery，henoticedonthecemeterysideafamilyclothedinblackkneelingonthepavement，thetranseptshavingnobenches。Theyoungpriestkneltdownonthestepofthebalustradewhichseparatedthechoirfromthenaveandbegantopray，castingobliqueglancesatascenewhichwassoonexplainedtohim。Thegospelhadbeenread。Therector，havingremovedhischasuble，camedownfromthealtarandstoodbeforetherailing;theyoungabbe，whoforesawthismovement，leanedbackagainstthewall，sothatMonsieurBonnetdidnotseehim。Teno’clockwasstriking。
\"Brethren，\"saidtherector，inavoiceofemotion，\"atthisverymomentachildofthisparishispayinghisdebttohumanjusticebyenduringitslastpenalty，whileweareofferingthesacrificeofthemassforthepeaceofhissoul。LetusuniteinprayertoGod，imploringHimnottoturnHisfacefromthatchildinthesehislastmoments，andtogranttohisrepentancethepardoninheavenwhichisdeniedtohimherebelow。Thesinofthisunhappyman，oneofthoseonwhomwemostreliedforgoodexamples，canonlybeexplainedbyhisdisregardofreligiousprinciples。\"
Heretherectorwasinterruptedbysobsfromthekneelinggroupinmourninggarments，whomtheAbbeGabrielrecognized，bythisshowofaffection，astheTascheronfamily，althoughhedidnotknowthem。
Firstamongthemwasanoldcouple（septuagenarians）standingbythewall，theirfacesseamedwithdeep—cut，rigidwrinkles，andbronzedlikeaFlorentinemedal。Thesepersons，stoicallyerectlikestatues，intheirolddarnedclothes，weredoubtlessthegrandfatherandthegrandmotherofthecriminal。Theirglazedandreddenedeyesseemedtoweepblood，theirarmstrembledsothatthesticksonwhichtheyleanedtappedlightlyonthepavement。Next，thefatherandthemother，theirfacesintheirhandkerchiefs，sobbedaloud。Aroundthesefourheadsofthefamilykneltthetwomarriedsistersaccompaniedbytheirhusbands，andthreesons，stupefiedwithgrief。Fivelittlechildrenontheirknees，theoldestnotsevenyearsold，unable，nodoubt，tounderstandwhatwashappening，gazedandlistenedwiththetorpidcuriositythatcharacterizesthepeasantry，andisreallytheobservationofphysicalthingspushedtoitshighestlimit。Lastly，thepoorunmarriedsister，imprisonedintheinterestsofjustice，nowreleased，amartyrtofraternalaffection，DeniseTascheron，waslisteningtothepriest’swordswithalookthatwaspartlybewilderedandpartlyincredulous。Forher，herbrothercouldnotdie。ShewellrepresentedthatoneoftheThreeMaryswhodidnotbelieveinthedeathofChrist，thoughshewaspresentatthelastagony。Pale，withdryeyes，likeallthosewhohavegonewithoutsleep，herfreshcomplexionwasalreadyfaded，lessbytoilandfieldlaborthanbygrief;nevertheless，shehadmanyofthebeautiesofacountrymaiden，——aplump，fullfigure，finelyshapedarms，roundedcheeks，andclear，pureeyes，lightedatthisinstantwithflashesofdespair。Belowthethroat，afirm，fairskin，nottannedbythesun，betrayedthepresenceofawhiteandrosyfleshwheretheformwashidden。
Themarrieddaughterswept;theirhusbands，patientfarmers，weregraveandserious。Thethreebrothers，profoundlysad，didnotraisetheireyesfromtheground。Inthemidstofthisdreadfulpictureofdumbdespairanddesolation，Deniseandhermotheraloneshowedsymptomsofrevolt。
TheotherinhabitantsofthevillageunitedintheafflictionofthisrespectablefamilywithasincereandChristianpitywhichgavethesameexpressiontothefacesofall，——anexpressionamountingtohorrorwhentherector’swordsannouncedthattheknifewasthenfallingontheneckofayoungmanwhomtheyallknewwellfromhisverybirth，andwhomtheyhaddoubtlessthoughtincapableofcrime。
Thesobswhichinterruptedtheshortandsimpleallocutionwhichthepastormadetohisflockovercamehimsomuchthathestoppedandsaidnomore，excepttoinviteallpresenttoferventprayer。
Thoughthisscenewasnotofanaturetosurpriseapriest，GabrieldeRastignacwastooyoungnottobeprofoundlytouchedbyit。Asyethehadneverexercisedthepriestlyvirtues;heknewhimselfcalledtootherfunctions;hewasnotforcedtoenterthesocialbreacheswheretheheartbleedsatthesightofwoes:hismissionwasthatofthehigherclergy，whomaintainthespiritofdevotion，representthehighestintellectoftheChurch，andoneminentoccasionsdisplaythepriestlyvirtuesonalargerstage，——liketheillustriousbishopsofMarseilleandMeaux，andthearchbishopsofArlesandCambrai。
Thislittleassemblageofcountrypeopleweepingandprayingforhimwho，astheysupposed，wasthenbeingexecutedonapublicsquare，amongacrowdofpersonscomefromallpartstoswelltheshameofsuchadeath，——thisfeeblecounterpoiseofprayerandpity，opposedtotheferociouscuriosityandjustmaledictionsofamultitude，wasenoughtomoveanysoul，especiallywhenseeninthatpoorchurch。TheAbbeGabrielwastemptedtogouptotheTascheronsandsay，——
\"Yoursonandbrotherisreprieved。\"
Buthedidnotliketodisturbthemass;and，moreover，heknewthatareprievewasonlyadelayofexecution。Insteadoffollowingtheservice，hewasirresistiblydrawntoastudyofthepastorfromwhomtheclergyinLimogesexpectedtheconversionofthecriminal。
Judgingbytheparsonage，GabrieldeRastignachadmadehimselfaportraitofMonsieurBonnetasastout，shortmanwithastrongandredface，framedfortoil，halfapeasant，andtannedbythesun。Sofarfromthat，theyoungabbemethisequal。Slightanddelicateinappearance，MonsieurBonnet’sfacestrucktheeyesatonceasthetypicalfaceofpassiongiventotheApostles。Itwasalmosttriangular，beginningwithabroadbrowfurrowedbywrinkles，andcarrieddownfromthetemplestothechinintwosharplineswhichdefinedhishollowcheeks。Inthisface，sallowedbytonesasyellowasthoseofachurchtaper，shonetwoblueeyesthatwereluminouswithfaith，burningwitheagerhope。Itwasdividedintotwoequalpartsbyalongnose，thinandstraight，withwell—cutnostrils，beneathwhichspoke，evenwhenclosedandvoiceless，alargemouth，withstronglymarkedlips，fromwhichissued，wheneverhespokealoud，oneofthosevoiceswhichgostraighttotheheart。Thechestnuthair，whichwasthinandfine，andlayflatuponthehead，showedapoorconstitutionmaintainedbyafrugaldiet。WILLmadethepowerofthisman。
Suchwerehispersonaldistinctions。Hisshorthandsmighthaveindicatedinanothermanatendencytocoarsepleasures，andperhapshehad，likeSocrates，conqueredhistemptations。Histhinnesswasungraceful，hisshouldersweretooprominent，hiskneesknockedtogether。Thebody，toomuchdevelopedfortheextremities，gavehimthelookofahump—backedmanwithoutahump。Inshort，hisappearancewasnotpleasing。Nonebutthosetowhomthemiraclesofthought，faith，artareknowncouldadorethatflaminggazeofthemartyr，thatpallorofconstancy，thatvoiceoflove，——distinctivecharacteristicsofthisvillagerector。
Thisman，worthyoftheprimitiveChurch，whichexistsnolongerexceptinthepicturesofthesixteenthcenturyandinthepagesofMartyrology，wasstampedwiththedieofthehumangreatnesswhichmostnearlyapproachesthedivinegreatnessthroughConviction，——thatindefinablesomethingwhichembellishesthecommonestform，gildswithglowingtintsthefacesofmenvowedtoanyworship，nomatterwhat，andbringsintothefaceofawomanglorifiedbyanobleloveasortoflight。CONVICTIONishumanwillattainingtoitshighestreach。Atoncebothcauseandeffect，itimpressesthecoldestnatures;itisaspeciesofmuteeloquencewhichholdsthemasses。
ComingdownfromthealtartherectorcaughttheeyeoftheAbbeGabrielandrecognizedhim;sothatwhenthebishop’ssecretaryreachedthesacristyUrsule，towhomhermasterhadalreadygivenorders，waswaitingforhimwitharequestthathewouldfollowher。
\"Monsieur，\"saidUrsule，awomanofcanonicalage，conductingtheAbbedeRastignacbythegallerythroughthegarden，\"MonsieurBonnettoldmetoaskifyouhadbreakfasted。YoumusthaveleftLimogesveryearlytogetherebyteno’clock。Iwillsoonhavebreakfastreadyforyou。Monsieurl’abbewillnotfindatablelikethatofMonseigneurthebishopinthispoorvillage，butwewilldothebestwecan。
MonsieurBonnetwillsoonbein;hehasgonetocomfortthosepoorpeople，theTascherons。Theirsonhasmetwithaterribleendto—day。\"
\"But，\"saidtheAbbeGabriel，whenhecouldgetinaword，\"whereisthehouseofthoseworthypersons？ImusttakeMonsieurBonnetatoncetoLimogesbyorderofthebishop。Thatunfortunatemanwillnotbeexecutedto—day;Monseigneurhasobtainedareprieveforhim。\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedUrsule，whosetongueitchedtospreadthenewsaboutthevillage，\"monsieurhasplentyoftimetocarrythemthatcomfortwhileIgetbreakfastready。TheTascherons’houseisbeyondthevillage;followthepathbelowthatterraceanditwilltakeyouthere。\"
AssoonasUrsulelostsightoftheabbeshewentdownintothevillagetodisseminatethenews，andalsotobuythethingsneededforthebreakfast。
Therectorhadbeeninformed，whileinchurch，ofadesperateresolutiontakenbytheTascheronsassoonastheyheardthatJean—
Francois’sappealwasrejectedandthathehadtodie。Theseworthysoulsintendedtoleavethecountry，andtheirworldlygoodsweretobesoldthatverymorning。Delaysandformalitiesunexpectedbythemhadhithertopostponedthesale。Theyhadbeenforcedtoremainintheirhomeuntiltheexecution，anddrinkeachdaythecupofshame。
Thisdeterminationhadnotbeenmadepublicuntiltheeveningbeforethedayappointedfortheexecution。TheTascheronshadexpectedtoleavebeforethatfatalday;buttheproposedpurchaseroftheirpropertywasastrangerinthoseparts，andwaspreventedfromclinchingthebargainbyadelayinobtainingthemoney。Thusthehaplessfamilywereforcedtobeartheirtroubletoitsend。Thefeelingwhichpromptedthisexpatriationwassoviolentinthesesimplesouls，littleaccustomedtocompromisewiththeirconsciences，thatthegrandfatherandgrandmother，thefatherandthemother，thedaughtersandtheirhusbandsandthesons，inshort，allwhoboreandhadbornethenameofTascheronorwerecloselyalliedtoitmadereadytoleavethecountry。
Thisemigrationgrievedthewholecommunity。Themayorentreatedtherectortodohisbesttoretaintheseworthypeople。AccordingtothenewCodethefatherwasnotresponsiblefortheson，andthecrimeofthefatherwasnodisgracetothechildren。Togetherwithotheremancipationswhichhaveweakenedpaternalpower，thissystemhasledtothetriumphofindividualism，whichisnowpermeatingthewholeofmodernsociety。Hewhothinksonthethingsofthefutureseesthespiritoffamilydestroyed，wherethemakersofthenewCodehaveintroducedfreedomofwillandequality。TheFamilymustalwaysbethebasisofsociety。Necessarilytemporary，incessantlydivided，recomposedtodissolveagain，withouttiesbetweenthefutureandthepast，itcannotfulfilthatmission;theFamilyoftheoldentimenolongerexistsinFrance。Thosewhohaveproceededtodemolishtheancientedificehavebeenlogicalindividingequallythefamilyproperty，indiminishingtheauthorityofthefather，insuppressinggreatresponsibilities;butisthereconstructedsocialstateassolid，withitsyounglawsstilluntried，asitwasunderamonarchy，inspiteoftheoldabuses？Inlosingthesolidarityoffamilies，societyhaslostthatfundamentalforcewhichMontesquieudiscoveredandnamedHONOR。Ithasisolatedinterestsinordertosubjugatethem;
ithassunderedalltoenfeebleall。Societyreignsoverunits，oversinglefiguresagglomeratedlikegrainsofcorninaheap。CanthegeneralinterestsofalltaketheplaceofFamily？Timealonecananswerthatquestion。
Nevertheless，theoldlawstillexists;itsrootshavestrucksodeepthatyouwillfinditstillliving，aswefindperennialsinpolarregions。Remoteplacesarestilltobefoundintheprovinceswherewhatarenowcalledprejudicesexist，wherethefamilysuffersinthecrimeofachildorafather。
ThissentimentmadetheplaceuninhabitableanylongertotheTascherons。Theirdeepreligiousfeelingtookthemtochurchthatmorning;forhowcouldtheyletthemassbeofferedtoGodaskingHimtoinspiretheirsonwithrepentancethatalonecouldrestoretohimlifeeternal，andnotshareinit？Besides，theywishedtobidfarewelltothevillagealtar。Buttheirmindsweremadeupandtheirplansalreadycarriedout。Whentherectorwhofollowedthemfromchurchreachedtheprincipalhousehefoundtheirbagsandbundlesreadyforthejourney。Thepurchaserofthepropertywastherewiththemoney。Thenotaryhaddrawnupthepapers。Intheyardbehindthehousewasacarriolereadyharnessedtocarryawaytheoldercouplewiththemoney，andthemotherofJean—Francois。Theremainderofthefamilyweretogoonfootbynight。
AtthemomentwhentheyoungabbeenteredthelowroominwhichthefamilywereassembledtherectorofMontegnachadexhaustedalltheresourcesofhiseloquence。Theoldpair，nowinsensibletotheviolenceofgrief，werecrouchinginacornerontheirbagsandlookingroundontheiroldhereditaryhome，itsfurniture，andthenewpurchaser，andthenuponeachotherasiftosay:——
\"Didweeverthinkthisthingcouldhappen？\"
Theseoldpeople，whohadlongresignedtheirauthoritytotheirson，thefatherofthecriminal，were，likekingsontheirabdication，reducedtothepassiveroleofsubjectsandchildren。Tascheron，thefather，wasstandingup;helistenedtothepastor，andrepliedtohiminalowvoiceandbymonosyllables。Thisman，whowasaboutforty—
eightyearsofage，hadthenoblefacewhichTitianhasgiventosomanyofhisApostles，——acountenancefulloffaith，ofgraveandreflectiveintegrity，asternprofile，anosecutinastraightandprojectingline，blueeyes，anoblebrow，regularfeatures，black，crisp，wiryhair，plantedonhisheadwiththatsymmetrywhichgivesacharmtothesebrownfaces，bronzedbytoilintheopenair。Itwaseasytoseethattherector’sappealswerepowerlessagainstthatinflexiblewill。
Denisewasleaningagainstthebread—box，lookingatthenotary，whowasusingthatreceptacleasawriting—table，seatedbeforeitinthegrandmother’sarmchair。Thepurchaserwassittingonastoolbesidehim。Themarriedsisterswerelayingaclothuponthetable，andservingthelastmealthefamilyweretotakeinitsownhousebeforeexpatriatingitselftootherlandsandotherskies。Thesonswerehalf—seatedonthegreensergebed。Themother，busybesidethefire，wasbeatinganomelet。Thegrandchildrencrowdedthedoorway，beforewhichstoodtheincomingfamilyofthepurchaser。
Theoldsmokyroomwithitsblackenedrafters，throughthewindowofwhichwasvisibleawell—keptgardenplantedbythetwooldpeople，seemedinharmonywiththepent—upanguishwhichcouldbereadonalltheirfacesindiverseexpressions。Themealwaschieflypreparedforthenotary，thepurchaser，themenkind，andthechildren。Thefatherandmother，Deniseandhersisters，weretoounhappytoeat。Therewasalofty，sternresignationintheaccomplishmentoftheselastdutiesofrustichospitality。TheTascherons，menoftheoldentime，endedtheirdaysinthathouseastheyhadbegunthem，bydoingitshonors。
Thisscene，withoutpretension，thoughfullofsolemnity，mettheeyesofthebishop’ssecretarywhenheapproachedthevillagerectortofulfiltheprelate’serrand。
\"Thesonofthesegoodpeoplestilllives，\"saidGabriel。
Atthesewords，heardbyallinthedeepsilence，thetwooldpeoplerosetotheirfeetasifthelasttrumphadsounded。Themotherdroppedherpanuponthefire;Denisegaveacryofjoy;alltheothersstoodbyinpetrifiedastonishment。
\"Jean—Francoisispardoned！\"criedthewholevillage，nowrushingtowardthehouse，havingheardthenewsfromUrsule。\"Monseigneurthebishop——\"
\"Iknewhewasinnocent！\"criedthemother。
\"Willithinderthepurchase？\"saidthepurchasertothenotary，whoansweredwithasatisfyinggesture。
TheAbbeGabrielwasnowthecentreofalleyes;hissadnessraisedasuspicionofmistake。Toavoidcorrectingithimself，heleftthehouse，followedbytherector，andsaidtothecrowdoutsidethattheexecutionwasonlypostponedforsomedays。Theuproarsubsidedinstantlyintodreadfulsilence。WhentheAbbeGabrielandtherectorreturned，theexpressiononthefacesofthefamilywasfullofanguish;thesilenceofthecrowdwasunderstood。
\"Myfriends，Jean—Francoisisnotpardoned，\"saidtheyoungabbe，seeingthattheblowhadfallen;\"butthestateofhissoulhassodistressedMonseigneurthathehasobtainedadelayinordertosaveyoursonineternity。\"
\"Buthelives！\"criedDenise。
Theyoungabbetooktherectorasidetoexplaintohimtheinjurioussituationinwhichtheimpenitenceofhisparishionerplacedreligion，andthedutythebishopimposeduponhim。
\"Monseigneurexactsmydeath，\"repliedtherector。\"Ihavealreadyrefusedtheentreatiesofthefamilytovisittheirunhappyson。Suchaconferenceandthesightofhisdeathwouldshattermelikeglass。
Everymanmustworkashecan。Theweaknessofmyorgans，orrather，thetoogreatexcitabilityofmynervousorganization，preventsmefromexercisingthesefunctionsofourministry。IhaveremainedasimplerectorexpresslytobeusefultomykindinasphereinwhichI
canreallyaccomplishmyChristianduty。IhavecarefullyconsideredhowfarIcouldsatisfythisvirtuousfamilyanddomypastoraldutytothispoorson;buttheveryideaofmountingthescaffoldwithhim，themerethoughtofassistinginthosefatalpreparations，sendsashudderasofdeaththroughmyveins。Itwouldnotbeaskedofamother;andremember，monsieur，hewasborninthebosomofmypoorchurch。\"
\"So，\"saidtheAbbeGabriel，\"yourefusetoobeyMonseigneur？\"
\"Monseigneurisignorantofthestateofmyhealth;hedoesnotknowthatinaconstitutionlikeminenaturerefuses——\"saidMonsieurBonnet，lookingattheyoungerpriest。
\"Therearetimeswhenweought，likeBelzunceatMarseille，toriskcertaindeath，\"repliedtheAbbeGabriel，interruptinghim。
Atthismomenttherectorfeltahandpullingathiscassock;heheardsobs，andturningroundhesawthewholefamilykneelingbeforehim。
Youngandold，smallandgreat，allwerestretchingtheirsupplicatinghandstohim。Onesolecryrosefromtheirlipsasheturnedhisfaceuponthem:——
\"Savehissoul，atleast！\"
Theoldgrandmotheritwaswhohadpulledhiscassockandwaswettingitwithhertears。
\"Ishallobey，monsieur。\"
Thatsaid，therectorwasforcedtositdown，forhislegstrembledunderhim。Theyoungsecretaryexplainedthefrenziedstateofthecriminal’smind。
\"Doyouthink，\"hesaid，asheendedhisaccount，\"thatthesightofhisyoungsisterwouldshakehisdetermination？\"
\"Yes，Ido，\"repliedtherector。\"Denise，youmustgowithus。\"
\"AndI，too，\"saidthemother。
\"No！\"criedthefather;\"thatchildnolongerexistsforus，andyouknowit。Noneofusshallseehim。\"
\"Donotopposewhatmaybeforhissalvation，\"saidtheyoungabbe。
\"Youwillberesponsibleforhissoulifyourefuseusthemeansofsofteningit。Hisdeathmaypossiblydomoreinjurythanhislifehasdone。\"
\"Shemaygo，\"saidthefather;\"itshallbeherpunishmentforopposingallthedisciplineIeverwishedtogiveherson。\"
TheAbbeGabrielandMonsieurBonnetreturnedtotheparsonage，whereDeniseandhermotherwererequestedtocomeintimetostartforLimogeswiththetwoecclesiastics。
AstheyoungermanwalkedalongthepathwhichfollowedtheoutskirtsofupperMontegnachewasabletoexaminethevillagepriestsowarmlycommendedbythevicar—generallesssuperficiallythanhedidinchurch。Hefeltatonceinclinedinhisfavor，bythesimplemanners，thevoicefullofmagicpower，andthewordsinharmonywiththevoiceofthevillagerector。Thelatterhadonlyvisitedthebishop’spalaceoncesincetheprelatehadtakenGabrieldeRastignacassecretary。Hehadhardlyseenthisfavorite，destinedfortheepiscopate，thoughheknewhowgreathisinfluencewas。Nevertheless，hebehavedwithadignifiedcourtesythatplainlyshowedthesovereignindependencewhichtheChurchbestowsonrectorsintheirparishes。Butthefeelingsoftheyoungabbe，farfromanimatinghisface，gaveitasternexpression;itwasmorethancold，itwasicy。Amancapableofchangingthemoralconditionofawholepopulationmustsurelypossesssomepowersofobservation，andbemoreorlessofaphysiognomist;
andeveniftherectorhadnoothersciencethanthatofgoodness，hehadjustgivenproofofraresensibility。Hewasthereforestruckbythecoldnesswithwhichthebishop’ssecretarymethiscourteousadvances。Compelledtoattributethismannertosomesecretannoyance，therectorsoughtinhisownmindtodiscoverifhehadwoundedhisguest，orinwhatwayhisconductcouldseemblameworthyintheeyesofhissuperiors。
Anawkwardsilenceensued，whichtheAbbedeRastignacbrokebyaspeechthatwasfullofaristocraticassumption。
\"Youhaveaverypoorchurch，monsieur，\"hesaid。
\"Itistoosmall，\"repliedMonsieurBonnet。\"Onthegreatfete—daystheoldmenbringbenchestotheporch，andtheyoungmenstandoutsideinacircle;butthesilenceissogreatthatallcanhearmyvoice。\"
Gabrielwassilentforsomemoments。
\"Iftheinhabitantsaresoreligioushowcanyouletthebuildingremaininsuchastateofnudity？\"hesaidatlast。
\"Alas，monsieur，Ihavenotthecouragetospendthemoneywhichisneededforthepoorondecoratingthechurch，——thepoorarethechurch。IassureIshouldnotbeashamedofmychurchifMonseigneurshouldvisititontheFete—Dieu。Thepoorreturnonthatdaywhattheyhavereceived。Didyounoticethenailswhichareplacedatcertaindistancesonthewalls？Theyareusedtoholdasortoftrellisofironwireonwhichthewomenfastenbouquets;thechurchisfairlyclothedwithflowers，andtheykeepfreshallday。Mypoorchurch，whichyouthinksobare，isdeckedlikeabride;itisfilledwithfragrance;eventhefloorisstrewnwithleaves，inthemidstofwhichtheymakeapathofscatteredrosesforthepassageoftheholysacrament。That’sadayonwhichIdonotfearcomparisonwiththepompsofSaint—PeteratRome;theHolyFatherhashisgold，andImyflowers，——toeachhisownmiracle。Ah！monsieur，thevillageofMontegnacispoor，butitisCatholic。Informertimestheinhabitantsrobbedtravellers;nowtravellersmayleaveasackfullofmoneywheretheypleaseandtheywillfinditinmyhouse。\"
\"Thatresultistoyourglory，\"saidGabriel。
\"Itisnotaquestionofmyself，\"repliedtherector，coloringatthislaboredcompliment，\"butofGod’sword，oftheblessedbread——\"
\"Brownbread，\"remarkedtheabbe，smiling。
\"Whitebreadonlysuitsthestomachsoftherich，\"repliedtherector，modestly。
Theyoungabbetookthehandsoftheolderpriestandpressedthemcordially。
\"Forgiveme，monsieur，\"hesaid，suddenlymakingamendswithalookinhisbeautifulblueeyeswhichwenttothedepthsoftherector’ssoul。
\"Monseigneurtoldmetotestyourpatienceandyourmodesty，butI
can’tgoanyfurther;Iseealreadyhowmuchinjusticethepraisesoftheliberalshavedoneyou。\"
Breakfastwasready;fresheggs，butter，honey，fruits，cream，andcoffeewereservedbyUrsuleinthemidstofflowers，onawhiteclothlaidupontheantiquetableinthatolddining—room。Thewindowwhichlookedupontheterracewasopen;clematis，withitswhitestarsrelievedinthecentrebytheyellowbunchoftheircrispedstamens，claspedtherailing。Ajasmineranuponeside，nasturtiumsclamberedovertheother。Above，thereddeningfoliageofavinemadearichborderthatnosculptorcouldhaverendered，soexquisitewasthetraceryofitslace—workagainstthelight。