CHAPTER XIV

A STORMY DAY

As an exact historian, we must go back and begin the day at six in the morning, when we can see Madame Thuillier going to the Madeleine to hear the mass that the Abbe Gondrin was in the habit of saying at that hour, and afterwards approaching the holy table,—­a viaticum which pious souls never fail to give themselves when it is in their minds to accomplish some great resolution.

About mid-day the abbe received a visit in his own home from Madame Thuillier and Celeste.  The poor child wanted a little development of the words by which the priest had given security, the evening before, in Brigitte’s salon, for the eternal welfare of Felix Phellion.  It seemed strange to the mind of this girl-theologian that, without practising religion, a soul could be received into grace by the divine justice; for surely the anathema is clear:  Out of the Church there is no salvation.

“My dear child,” said the Abbe Gondrin, “learn to understand that saying which seems to you so inexplicable.  It is more a saying of thanksgiving for those who have the happiness to live within the pale of our holy mother the Church than a malediction upon those who have the misfortune to live apart from her.  God sees to the depths of all hearts; He knows His elect; and so great is the treasure of His goodness that to none is it given to limit its riches and its munificence.  Who shall dare to say to God:  Thou wilt be generous and munificent so far and no farther.  Jesus Christ forgave the woman in adultery, and on the cross He promised heaven to a thief, in order to prove to us that He deals with men, not according to human sentiments, but according to his wisdom and his mercy.  He who thinks himself a Christian may be in the eyes of God an idolator; and another who is thought a pagan may, by his feelings and his actions be, without his own knowledge, a Christian.  Our holy religion has this that is divine about it; all grandeur, all heroism are but the practice of its precepts.  I was saying yesterday to Monsieur de la Peyrade that pure souls must be, in course of time, its inevitable conquest.  It is all-important to give them their just credit; that is a confidence which returns great dividends; and, besides, charity commands it.”

“Ah! my God!” cried Celeste, “to learn that too late!  I, who could have chosen between Felix and Monsieur de la Peyrade, and did not dare to follow the ideas of my heart!  Oh!  Monsieur l’abbe, couldn’t you speak to my mother?  Your advice is always listened to.”

“Impossible, my dear child,” replied the vicar.  “If I had the direction of Madame Colleville’s conscience I might perhaps say a word, but we are so often accused of meddling imprudently in family matters!  Be sure that my intervention here, without authority or right, would do you more harm than good.  It is for you and for those who love you,” he added, giving a look to Madame Thuillier, “to see if these arrangements, already so far advanced, could be changed in the direction of your wishes.”