He believed the robbery had been committed, and no longer tried to explain to himself the abnormal condition of his "little dreamer." He left Ursula at once and went directly to Minoret's.
"Monsieur l'abbe," said Zelie, "my husband's temper is so soured I don't know what he mightn't do.

Until now he's been a child; but for the last two months he's not the same man.

To get angry enough to strike me--me, so gentle! There must be something dreadful the matter to change him like that.

You'll find him among the rocks; he spends all his time there,--doing what, I'd like to know ?" In spite of the heat (it was then September, 1836), the abbe crossed the canal and took a path which led to the base of one of the rocks, where he saw Minoret.
"You are greatly troubled, Monsieur Minoret," said the priest going up to him.

"You belong to me because you suffer.