"Why, if ever a man revealed a magnificent comprehension of things human and divine, it was that great Abbot and founder of monasteries!" "Oh! there is no suggestion implied that Saint Columba was feeble of brain; and as to why the mission was trusted to him rather than another of protecting the greater part of the human race, I do not know." "Perhaps he may have cured lunatics and healed those possessed ?" the Abbe Gevresin suggested.
"At any rate," said Durtal, "it would be vain to erect a chapel to him, since it would always be empty; no one would come to entreat him, poor saint! for the essential mark of an idiot is not to think himself one!" "A saint out of work!" remarked Madame Bavoil.
"And who is not likely to find any," said Durtal, as he left them..