The way of his duty.

To forget Suzanne!  He had that very morning, without wishing it, almost unknowingly, commenced the rapture; the father’s visit had just completed the work.

To forget Suzanne!  Yes, he would forget her, he must; not only his honour, his reputation, but his very existence were involved in it.  Material impossibilities rose up before him in every direction where he tried to deviate from the straight path.  His servant!  The father!  He was compelled to be an honourable man anyhow, not lost sight of, watched and spied upon by these two enemies.

To forget Suzanne!  How, after what had passed the previous day, would he dream for a moment of remembering her?  He was almost thankful to his servant for having stopped him in time on a descent, at the end of which was scandal and dishonour.

In any other circumstances his pride would have revolted at the menaces of the foolish father, he would have been stung in his self-esteem, and he would have disputed with him for his treasure.  But where was his pride?  Where was his dignity?  He had left all that on the lap of a cook.

Reputation was safe; that was henceforth the only good which he must keep at any price.

“Come,” said he, “keep it, have courage.  Stand up, son of saints and martyrs.  Yield not, hesitate not, march forward, without being anxious for what is on the right or left.  Do thy duty in one direction, since in the other thou hast failed.  Is a man then lost because he has for one moment deviated from his way?  Is he dead for one false step?  Peter denied his master three times, thou hast done so but once!"[1]

The postman’s ring drew him from his reverie.  He ran to receive the letter, recognized the writing, hastily put it into his pocket, took up his hat and his breviary, and went out without saying a word.

When he was in the little hollow road which is at the bottom of the hill, he turned round, and, certain that he was not being followed, only then did he open the letter which follows: 

“MONSIEUR LE CURE,

“Why are you vexed with me?  If you have not seen me any more at Mass, it is that I have had to contend with my father, and that I have been obliged to yield.  Nevertheless, I am unhappy, and more than ever have I need of your counsel.  You have said:  ‘We cannot serve two masters,’ and ’it is very difficult to render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and to God that which is God’s.’  One word, if you please, through the medium of Marianne to

“Your very devoted

“S.D.”

He tore up the letter into the smallest fragments and returned home in all haste.

A few hours after, Marianne received the following notice: 

"To-morrow evening at 7 o’clock, in honour of the Holy Virgin, there will be Salutation and Benediction at the Chapel of St. Anne.  The faithful are besought to attend."

[Footnote 1:  Thou art man and not God, says the holy book of Consolation, thou art flesh and not an angel.  How canst thou always continue in very virtue?]