Oh, my God, the Giver of My Redemption and Receiver of my soul, I have sinned and Thou hast suffered me!" Then, turning over a few more pages, he came at the end of the volume to a few passages collected by Monsieur de la Briere, among them these reflections on the Eucharist culled from a manuscript of the fifteenth century:-- "Not every man can assimilate this meat; some there be who eat it not, but swallow it down in haste.

It should be chewed as much as possible with the teeth of the understanding, to the end that the sweet of its savour be pressed out of it, and may come forth from it.

Ye have heard it said that in nature, that which is most crushed is most nourishing; now the crushing of the teeth is our deep and keen meditation on the Sacrament itself." Then, after having elucidated the individual use of each tooth, the author adds, in speaking of the fifteenth, "the Sacrament on the altar is not merely as meat to fill and refill us; but, which is more, to make us divine." "Lord!" murmured Durtal, laying down the book.

"O Lord! If we allowed ourselves nowadays to use such materialistic comparisons and make use of such homely terms in speaking of Thy supremely adorable Body, what a clamour would arise from the 'respectable' among the worshippers and the blessed legion of the good women who have comfortable praying-chairs and reserved places near the altar--like front seats in a theatre--in the House where all are equal." And Durtal pondered over these reflections which assailed him every time he happened to take up a clerical journal or one of the Manuals introduced by some prelate's note of approval, like a clean bill of health.
He could never get over his amazement at the incredible ignorance, the instinctive aversion for art, the type of ideas, the terror of words, peculiar to Catholics.

Why was this?
For after all there was no reason why believers should be more ignorant and stupid than any other folks.
Indeed, the contrary ought to be the truth.
Whence did this inferiority proceed?
And Durtal could answer himself.