The abbe, deeply moved, recited the "Veni Creator" in a species of religious ecstasy.
The hymn served as the evening prayer of the three Christians kneeling together for the first time.
"What has happened ?" asked La Bougival, amazed at the sight.
"My godfather believes in God at last!" replied Ursula.
"Ah! so much the better; he only needed that to make him perfect," cried the old woman, crossing herself with artless gravity.
"Dear doctor," said the good priest, "you will soon comprehend the grandeur of religion and the value of its practices; you will find its philosophy in human aspects far higher than that of the boldest sceptics." The abbe, who showed a joy that was almost infantine, agreed to catechize the old man and confer with him twice a week.

Thus the conversion attributed to Ursula and to a spirit of sordid calculation, was the spontaneous act of the doctor himself.

The abbe, who for fourteen years had abstained from touching the wounds of that heart, though all the while deploring them, was now asked for help, as a surgeon is called to an injured man.

Ever since this scene Ursula's evening prayers had been said in common with her godfather.

Day after day the old man grew more conscious of the peace within him that succeeded all his conflicts.