His whole scientific belief, based on the assertions of the school of Locke and Condillac, was in ruins.

Seeing his hollow ideas in pieces, his scepticism staggered.

Thus the advantage in this struggle between the Catholic child and the Voltairean old man was on Ursula's side.

In the dismantled fortress, above these ruins, shone a light; from the center of these ashes issued the path of prayer! Nevertheless, the obstinate old scientist fought his doubts.

Though struck to the heart, he would not decide, he struggled on against God.
But he was no longer the same man; his mind showed its vacillation.
He became unnaturally dreamy; he read Pascal, and Bossuet's sublime "History of Species"; he read Bonald, he read Saint-Augustine; he determined also to read the works of Swedenborg, and the late Saint-Martin, which the mysterious stranger had mentioned to him.