Yes; I can think of nothing which stabs so deeply as the finger
of ridicule, unmerited. I am not referring to the children of kings,
but to the forgotten by the lesser nobility."
His voice had risen steadily, losing its music but gaining a thrilling
intenseness. Strange words for a priest, thought the Chevalier, who
had spoken with irony aforethought. Glories of the world, the love of
women; did not all priests forswear these? Perhaps his eyes expressed
his thought, for he noted a faint color on the priest's checks.
"I am speaking as a moral physician, Monsieur," continued the priest,
his composure recovered; "one who seeks to observe all spiritual
diseases in order to apply a remedy."
"And is there a remedy for a case such as you have described?" asked
the Chevalier, half mockingly.
"Yes; God gives us a remedy even for such an ill."
"And what might the remedy be?"
"Death."
"What is your religious name, Monsieur?" asked the Chevalier, strangely
subdued.
"I am Father Jacques, _protege_ of the kindly Chaumonot. But I am
known to my brothers and friends as Brother Jacques. And you,
Monsieur, are doubtless connected with the court.
Pages:
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53