But his relations with the Church turned out as fruitless as his struggles with the State.

The priest was a kindly old soul who bore a certain resemblance to Renan, and seemed interested only in getting alms for his poor out of Don Marcelo, even carrying his good-natured boldness so far as to try to excuse the marauders on his property.
How remote these struggles of a few months ago now seemed to him!.

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The millionaire was greatly surprised to see the priest, on leaving his house to enter the church, greet the mayor as he passed, with a friendly smile.
After long years of hostile silence they had met on the evening of August first at the foot of the church tower.

The bell was ringing the alarm, announcing the mobilization to the men who were in the field--and the two enemies had instinctively clasped hands.