The latter fancied that he could trace in the movement of her lips the sound of his own name, and a dozen times during the confession he thought he could even comprehend sentences of which he himself was the subject.

Twice the good father smiled involuntarily, and at each indiscretion he laid a hand in affection on the bared head of the suppliant.

But Violetta ceased to speak, and the absolution was pronounced with a fervor that the remarkable circumstances in which they all stood did not fail to heighten.
When this portion of his duty was ended, the Carmelite entered the oratory.

With steady hands he lighted the candles of the altar, and made the other dispositions for the mass.

During this interval Don Camillo was at the side of his mistress, whispering with the warmth of a triumphant and happy lover.