Part 2, Chapter 1, Section 1 (through page 83) Summary

The priest is heading west on a mule towards his home. He has tried to change his appearance so he will not be easily recognized. As he heads home he thinks of the last time he was there. He had given into temptation, he knows he is a bad priest, a whiskey priest. Yet he feels confident that he will be welcomed as he enters the town. A woman spots him and after staring at him for a moment recognizes him. She tells the priest he looks like a common man because of his clothes. Without looking at her he asks with embarrassment about Brigetta and his heart jumps as he speaks her name. It has been six years since he last visited the village. The woman says Brigetta is as well as anyone.

As...