I therefore respectfully ask to be enlightened, Monsieur le Cure; otherwise--" "Otherwise ?" repeated the Abby Pernot, inquiringly, rolling his eyes uneasily.
"Otherwise, I shall keep my word respectably, and I shall marry Claudet." "You will not do that ?" said he, imploringly, joining his hands as if in supplication; "after being openly warned by me, you dare not burden your soul with such a terrible responsibility.

Come, my child, does not the possibility of committing a mortal sin alarm your conscience as a Christian ?" "I can not sin if I am in ignorance, and as to my conscience, Monsieur le Cure, do you think it is acting like a Christian to alarm without enlightening ?" "Is that your last word ?" inquired the Abbe, completely aghast.
"It is my last word," she replied, vehemently, moved both by a feeling of self-respect, and a desire to force the hand of her interlocutor.
"You are a proud, obstinate girl!" exclaimed the Abbe, rising abruptly, "you wish to compel me to reveal this secret! Well, have your way! I will tell you.

May the harm which may result from it fall lightly upon you, and do not hereafter reproach me for the pain I am about to inflict upon you." He checked himself for a moment, again joined his hands, and raising his eyes toward heaven ejaculated fervently, as if repeating his devotions in the oratory: "O Lord, thou knowest I would have spared her this bitter cup, but, between two evils, I have avoided the greater.

If I forfeit my solemn promise, consider, O Lord, I pray thee, that I do it to avoid disgrace and exposure for her, and deign to forgive thy servant!" He seated himself again, placed one of his hands before his eyes, and began, in a hollow voice, Reine, all the while gazing nervously at him: "My child, you are forcing me to violate a secret which has been solemnly confided to me.

It concerns a matter not usually talked about before young girls, but you are, I believe, already a woman in heart and understanding, and you will hear resignedly what I have to tell you, however much the recital may trouble you.