"What authority do I possess?
Tell her I will pray!" Noemi was trembling inwardly.

It would have been so easy now to speak to him of religion! And she did not dare.

Ah! but to lose such an opportunity! No, she must speak; but she could not reflect a quarter of an hour upon what she should say.

She said the first thing that came into her head.
"I beg your pardon, but as you speak of praying, I should like to ask you if you really approve of all my brother-in-law's religious views ?" As soon as she had uttered the question, it seemed to her so impertinent, so awkward, that she was ashamed.

She hastened to add, conscious she was saying something still more foolish, but, nevertheless, feeling impelled to say it.