UNDER THE BAN. (L e J.audit.) Galt uof tIr infttrauti entulrq. TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF M. L'ABBE * * * NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE. 1864. AUTHOR'S PREFACE. THIS book (a mere literary effort) is neither polemical nor historical, as the title shows. To the question, How came a priest to write a novel? the answer is very simple. Convinced that that style of literature best suits the taste of the present day, the author has selected it for conveying his ideas, on the same principle that led Plato to choose the form of dialogue, or Pascal that of letters. Bishop Camus, a prelate of blameless reputation, wrote novels; and though he was the Alexandre Dumas of his day, he was none the less respected on that account. Fenelon has left us a tale of consummate ability. Who doesn't remember, with delight, Calypso and the nymphs of her isle? Lastly, a creditable romance has appeared in our own day from the pen of Dr. Wiseman, a cardinal of the Roman Church. So that the author of Le Maudit, although a priest, has but followed the example of Cardinal Wiseman, F&n6lon, and Camus. His subject is one of absorbing interest, for he writes in the hope of being read. Meanwhile, he can conscientiously declare that every line of his pages is penetrated with a profound veneration for whatever is venerable, though, in the interests of religion itself, he has suffered no false charity to deter him from denouncing those shameful proceedings by which it has been compromised and disgraced. Nor is he answerable for this severity. The blame of it attaches to the authors of the scandals, and not to the man who has had the courage to expose them. By a certain fanatical clique this book will be held in abhorrence; but the candid members of the clerical body will frankly admit that, while its pages are free from any injurious matter, its tendency is beneficial to the holy cause of religion, which has been so grievously prejudiced by other pens. CON T ENTS. PART I.-THE YOUNG PRIEST. CHAP. PAGE CHAP. PAGE I. The Chapel of the Inquisition................ 7 IX. The Ordination............................. 28 II. A doubtful Vocation................ 9 X. A private Dinner-party at the Palhce........ 30 III. M. Verdelon declines the Priesthood.......... 12 XI. The Archiepiscopal Correspondence......... 33 IV. Verdelon continues to explain............... 14 XII. Julio's first Sermon......................... 3 V. The two Popes.............................. 16 XIII. The Archpriest's Dinner................. 38 VI. Letter from Julio to Louise.................. 20 XIV. A Scene at the Palace................ 41 VII. The Cardinal Archbishop.................... 23 XV. A Catastrophe....................... 42 VIII. The first Struggle within.................... 25 PART II.-HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. CHAP. PAGE CHAP. PAGE I. The vacant Throne......................... 46 IV. Publication of the Religious Opinions of CardiII. Father Briffard again....................... 4 nal de Flammarens.................. 56 III The new Archbishop........................ 52 V. A Carmelite aged Sixteen.................... 59 VI. A Sermon on Love.......................... 62 PART III.-A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. CHAP. PAGE CHAP. PAGE I. Extracts from Julio's Diary................. 67 VIII. Mother Judas............................. 82 I. More of the Diary........................... 68 IX. The Miracle................................ 84 III. Two Culprits........................ 69 X. The Missionary retires............... 88 IV. The Capuchin Father....................... 74 XI. An Ecclesiastical Conference............ 90 V. The Loves of Louise and Verdelon.......... 76 XII. The Inquiry...................... 94 VI. Science and the Capuchin................... 77 XIIL The Pastoral Visit................. 96 VII. The Month of Mary..................... 79 PART IV.-AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. CHAP. PAGE CHAP. PAGE I. A Crisis among the Catholic Clergy.......... 101 VII. A delicate Negotiation..................... 111 II. Death of Madame de la Clavi6re............. 102 VIII. A Storm at the Palace............. 116 II. Madelette's Revelations..................... 105 IX. Julio's Ministry................... 119 IV. The Lover's Correspondence................ 106 X. A new Vergs.............. 124 V. Julio's Sufferings........................... 108 XI. Necessary preliminaries in a Lawsuit........ 128 VI. An afternoon's Conversation at the Provincial's 109 XII. The Trial.................................. 129 PART V.-A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. CHAP PAGE CHAP. PAGE I. A disappointed Love........................ 132 IX. Julio famous............................... 149 II. A daring Scheme of the Countess of * * * *..133 X. The Temporal Power in Trouble............. 150 III. The Privileges of the Jesuits................. 136 XI. Julio's Wanderings......................... 151 IV. The Police on the Search.................... 139 XII. Continuation of Julio's Wanderings.......... 154 V. Painful Reaction........................... 141 XIII. A Meeting................................. 157 VI. The Wandering Jew at the Theatre......... 143 XIV. Julio's Travels continued.................... 160 VII. The Appeal................................ 144 XV. The Convent Festival....................... 163 VII. Letter from the General of the Jesuits........ 146 XVI. The Moral Theology of the Jesuits............ 166 PART VI.-A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. CHAP. PAGE CHAP PAGE I. The Frontier................................ 171 VII. Cardinal Antonelli......................... 187 II. The Visionary of Viterba.................... 172 IX. The Smuggler.............................. 189 III. The Entry into Rome........................ 174 X. Pius IX. and the Outbreak at Rome.......... 189 IV. The Prisons of the Inquisition............... 175 X. Roman Beggars............................. 192 V. Lans-le-Bourg............................ 177 XII. A real Siege................................ 192 VI Loublre at the Gesu........................ 179 XIII Osteria della Sabina................ 193 VII. A small Monsignor.......................... 186 PART VII.-THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. CHAP. PAGE CHAP. PAGE I. Louise at Paris............................. 195 VIII. The officiating Deacon...................... 211 II A Free Country............................. 6 IX. The Discussions of St. Eustace............... 212 lII. Another Murder.......................... 198 X. An Evening Party at Madame de Tourabel's.. 214 IV. Catholicism and Liberty.................... 203 XI. The Marriage of Priests............... 216 V. The Gipsy Priesthood....................... 203 XII. Loubere pleads.............................. 218 VI. How Slander was attempted................. 206 XIII. A broken Tie.................... 219 VII. Marion la Champise........................ 208 XIV. A Scene at the Promoter's.............. 220 PART VIII.-THE HOLOCAUST. CHAP. PAGE CHAP. PAGE I. Episcopal Diplomacy........................ 223 VIII. A Dark Cloud.......................... 233 II. Paris, Paris................................ 224 IX. The Cardinal's Hat................. 235 III. Julio's Book on the Temporal Power......... 225 X. The last Blow.............................. 238 IV. The Thunderclap........................... 226 XI. The Recluse of the Valley of Campan......... 239 V. The Priest and Man......................... 228 XI Remains................................... 241 VI. The Priest and Man (continued)............. 229 XIII. Letter from Julio to Loubre................. 243 VII. The Council of Limoux...................... 230 XIV. The Hospice of Bigorre.................. 243 UNDER THE BAN. PART I. THE YOUNG PRIEST. CHAPTER I. tiness; while the poor old lady, bowed down under a crushing load of remorse, leant heavily CAPEL OF T IQUISITION upon her arm, to save herself from falling ere THREE women set out one morning from an the time arrived for prostrating herself at the old house, built at T —, in the 16th century, feet of the worthy father who at that moment in the "Rue du Taur," by a parliamentary appeared to her formidable in the extreme. councilor. The great clock of the Capitol was Louise discovered, too, on sifting her constriking eight; but in the provinces it is cus- science, many little feminine weaknesses. tomary to get up at daybreak. They were keep- Though she was passionately fond of her aunt, ing an appointment of the utmost importance, the irritability of the old lady had provoked irin the opinion of pious females. ritability in the niece. Moreover, her glass had Madame de la Claviere, the oldest of the par- told her, as, indeed, it had been telling her for ty, leant on the arm of her niece, Louise Julio. the last eight or ten years, that she was passing A maid-servant walked behind her, Madelette fair; and though she was not naturally vain, by name-a pious, elderly woman-who, at the the daughter of Eve had, for once, taken in the age of fifty-eight, preserved under a feeble ex- compliment. Furthermore, she had amused herterior all the energy of the Pyreneean race. self a little-very little, certainly, yet still a litThey took the Rue du Taur on their way to tle-at the expense of old Tournichen, a friend the Place du Capitole. Each was silently oc- of her aunt's, who was looked upon at T- as cupied in reckoning up her minor offenses. The a spy and tool of the Jesuits. Add to this that old lady was conscious of having habitually in- the fair young charmer had, in moments of undulged in a fretful and ruffled spirit: many a defined longing, when the heart, brimming over little snappish word had escaped her from time with life, goes out to an ideal bliss, fixed her to time; moreover, she had been disposed to thoughts on a fugitive image, appertaining, yield to a temptation to gluttony, which she del- doubtless, to some young spark who had spied icately veiled under the designation of hearty her out one Sunday, when she was quietly reappetite. pairing to the church of Taur, and you have the When a matron, seventy years old, has been sum-total of her peccadilloes. She had been living a retired life with a young niece, enjoying addicted neither to calumny nor gluttony, those no more worldly society than that of two or three two vices. with which young and generous naold gentlemen at an evening rubber, she is not tures are unacquainted. Nor had she any thing likely to be a very heinous offender. And yet with which to reproach herself so far as MadeMadame de la Claviere was deeply affected. lette was concerned: she found her stupid, inShe walked with a slow, almost a trembling deed, but she respected her almost as much as step. So great was her excitement, indeed, her aunt. No need for her, then, to be cast that Louise overheard her exclaiming in smoth- down in the presence of the worthy priest. Ah! ered accents, "My God! what shall I do?" ladies no longer twenty, it's a fine thing, I asThe younger, bright with the glory of twenty sure you, to enter the confessional so lightly summers, was one of those noble types of the laden. Southern race to be seen from time to time, As for Madelette, she did not even know what which combine equally regularity and beauty of sin was. A poor ignorant creature, broughtaway features, suggesting the idea that the sculptor's one morning from her mountuins, where har only skill had conceived and executed them. Hers, living acquaintances had been the sheep which too, was that exquisite grace, so justly preferred she had been accustomed to tend on the green even to beauty. Tall as her aunt, who had her- slopes of Valcabrere, her only idea was to do self been distinguished once in the world of whatever her mistress told her. So, when the fashion, she appeared to domineer over her with good priest, the confessor of Madame de la Clathat stately head which she threw back uncon- viere and of Louise, had led her to plead guilty sciously, without the least appearance ofhaugh- to certain wandering thoughts at church and in 8 UNDER THE BAN. her prayers, he elicited only vehement denials ior, similarly crowned and robed. Before this on all other misdoings to which humanity is ancient statue, held in utmost veneration by the prone. However, the holy father thoroughly citizens of T-, a lamp burns night and day. understood his line. True, Madelette's confes- Was it so that the poetic fancy of the Middle sion was stereotyped: she would have expected, Ages had confronted that dread abode, the fruitindeed, to forfeit her place in heaven had she ful source of arrests, punishments, and death, altered it in any particular. Her life being so with this meek embodiment of tenderness and monotonous, it was natural that her weekly list compassion? of sins should be equally unvaried. Old woman Madame de la Claviere crossed herself and though she was, she was as simple as a child; gazed at the shrine like a victim led to the stake yet, at the same time, she had a wonderful fac- and imploring deliverance. Louise had no eyes ulty of recollecting any thing she might have for any thing but the rich nosegays of flowers heard. Whether she was everlastingly exercis- gathered that very morning and placed behind ing her memory to the detriment of her judg- the trellis-work in front of the statue, while Madment in the humble sphere in which she was elette contented herself with muttering an ave. doomed to silence, or whether this quality of They entered the convent by a narrow corrihers resembled that animal instinct which, in dor, at the extreme end of which stands the default of the power of reflection, observes and chapel door. The little Jesuit church, conspicretains the impressions of its most trifling sur- uous neither for general grandeur nor for archiroundings, I am not prepared to say; suffice it tectural beauty, was remarkable only for a sucto add that Madelette was a hopeful subject for cession of gloomy boxes, along the low side-walls pumping with reference to every conceivable oc- of the nave, containing, each, a large confessioncurrence in the house of Madame de la Clavilrc; al. The genius of the order displayed itself in and as her spiritual guide was a very Deity in- the external arrangements. Every thing was carnate to her, it never entered into her poor old mysterious. No tablets, customary in parish head that in this pious confabulation to which churches, indicated the names of the priests enthe reverend father invited the waiting-maid throned in the several tribunals. A simple fiom time to time, he was otherwise influenced number, suspended in front of the dark oak than by a genuine desire for the glory of God. cells, served as a potent means of communicaThe rite over, the trio pursued their way in tion between the wily fathers and the female silence. About the middle of the street, on the portion of their flock. The males they admitleft hand, stood a large building, with a plain, ted within. unornamented front, like a modern factory or Our penitents, having duly crossed thembarrack, in the direction of which Louise stole selves with holy water, bent their steps toward a long gaze. True, it was innocent enough; No. 8, the last in the row, on the right side of yet it was earnest for all that, as it sought to the building, and disappeared in the darkness. penetrate behind those frowning walls in quest The next moment an elderly priest, with a pale of some dear object, whose face, to her joy, she and withered face, but an expression full of enfancied she had for an instant detected. At her ergy, descended from the altar, and, leaving the age, it often happens that the eyes betray the sanctuary by a side door, reappeared, after a few heart. minutes, robed in a rochet, with ample sleeves, They soon came out on the Place du Capitole. and established himself in his tribunal. A few The two ladies found a momentary diversion in of the faithful were engaged in their devotions looking at the fruit-market in front of the build- at the upper end of the nave. Two other priests ing, which displayed a pleasing array of luscious were occupied in hearing confessions in their produce ripened in that Southern sun, whose separate stalls. A profound silence reigned on warmth and glory are never forgotten by those every side-a stillness uninvaded by the jar of who have grown up under its radiance-at least, the outside world, scarcely broken even by the not for many a long year of their lives. occasional rustling of the silk dresses of the feAfter that their route lay through a long, male penitents as they knelt at the feet of their wide, and winding street, one of the main arte- spiritual guides. ries of the ancient capital of the South. Turn- The old lady, visibly affected, her check ing abruptly to the right, they entered the Rue flushed, as though she were on the point of bede l'Inquisition, a street deriving its name from ing driven to some humiliating disclosure, enthe "Maison de l'Inquisition," in the possession tered first, raising a dark curtain which fell beof the Society of Jesus. hind her. For a time the only audible sound The frontage of the house is low and insignifi- in the neighborhood of the mysterious retreat cant, but the building dates as far back as the was the inarticulate muttering of the two voices, establishment of the Bloody Tribunal at T-. modulated by long habit to the proper pitch, and A scarcely legible inscription in Gothic charac- replying to each other in lingering monotones. ters, fixing the date of its erection, is still to be After the priest had pronounced the usual seen over the entrance. Latin form of benediction, under which the aged Nearly opposite, in the same street, is a niche, penitent bowed profoundly, as though to gather inclosing a black Madonna, her head encircled courage by this act of reverence from the words with a diadem of metal-gilt, her form arrayed of blessing, she enumerated, with tolerable comin silk, and having in her arms the infant Sav- posure, the various faults she had recalled in her THE YOUNG PRIEST. 9 previous self-examination. Then, striking her that when the victims of usury can not be traced, breast, she added, "My father, I remember noth- pious bequests answer the same purpose. You ing more." And, leaning on the credence-table may consider yourself very fortunate in still havin front of her, she waited for his reply. ing this chance open to you." "Well, dear daughter, have you thought care- "But these poor children-" fully over what I said to you this day week?" "Poor children! very compassionate, for"Yes, my father." ooth! You speak like a thorough woman of "And what are your intentions?" the world! Why, I do assure you, my daugh"All that you would have them to be, my fa- ter, if I didn't know you, I should scarcely take ther. I have promised you unqualified obedi- you to be one of the faithful! What un unreaence." sonable distrust of the providence of God you "'Unquestionably, my daughter. But you are manifest! How can you tell that your dear well aware that it is our duty as spiritual guides, Louise is not destined for a religious life? Of especially in matters of such grave importance course, as her confessor, I know many things as the present, to waive the vow of submission about her which I can not mention to you. As to which you have referred, in order that the for Julio, your nephew, a few days will see him faithful may be fiee to exhibit the grace of a a priest. Silly fellow that he was, if he had lisvoluntary sacrifice. And, to be plain with you, tened to us when he quitted our fraternity, he yours is not very tremendous. To you, my would be with us now, but he will repent of his daughter, so prone to meditate on the rapidity obstinacy one day. With his talents, what a of our passage through this vale of tears, as well splendid future was before him! However, he as on the probable nearness of that blissful event will belong, at all events, to the secular clergy, which shall withdraw you forever fiom the wea- and will not want a fortune of half a million to riness and imperfection of our poor earthly life, make him a conceited upstart and a bad priest. I may say, without much hesitation,'Soon, Believe me, my daughter, God knows better whether you will or no, you will have to resign than you what will be best for your nephew and that wealth from which I well know your heart niece. is already disengaged. Why not anticipate that "Well, then, my father-" period by consecrating it at once to a holy use? "Exactly so, my daughter; but I must have Why not establish for yourself before your de- you more tractable than that. By giving way parture an imperishable monument of your pious to these vain regrets and visionary speculations, devotion to the Church, and your munificence in you displease God, you imperil the salvation of her cause? The Church will bless you; my your beloved husband, and resist the gracious daughter, and our holy fraternity will offer summons to the grandeur and glory of sacrifice." ceaseless intercessions for their illustrious and "Well, then, my father, I give in." beloved benefactress.'" "I expected that, my daughter, from your He paused for a reply, but none came. Only tender-hearted conscientiousness. God loveth a long suppressed sigh indicated the anguish of a cheerful giver. With your permission, I will her spirit. The next moment he resumed. remit to worthy M. Tournichon a form of will, "You are listening, my daughter, to the which you will be good enough to copy very legwhispers of flesh and blood, and are admitting ibly. As this world is so uncharitable, and the the covetous promptings of your corrupt nature. will may possibly be assailed at the instance of Beware how you yield to the fatal suggestions the opposite party, I advise your nominating M. of the Evil One!" Tournichon your sole legatee. I would first add "Believe me, my father, I do not grudge the that I have expressly stipulated in the outline I sacrifice on my own account. I would strip have drawn up that a proper annuity is to be myself of every penny I possess this very mo- paid to Louise and the abbe. In this way, you ment-God is my record-so far as I myself am see, we shall effectually promote your benevolent concerned; but my hesitation and distress arise intentions toward your beloved wards. Our sofrom the fact that Louise and her brother are ciety, ever grateful to its friends, will not fail to doubly my heirs, since I am myself a Julio and protect them for your sake." their father's sister. Can I-I ask you-con- "I am perfectly satisfied, my father." scientiously rob these children of their uncle's "That's sufficient. I reckon upon your word. "fortune and mine?" Adieu, my dear daughter. Receive my bless"Of the fortune of M. Julio? Most undoubt- ing, and go in peace." edly. I have told you over and over again the The curtain rose. The poor lady, more dead proofs are indisputable that that money was than alive, dragged her feeble steps back to her amassed by secret extortion and fraud." chair, where she sank down, hiding her face. "And yet he bore such an excellent reputa- Louise Julio took her aunt's place, tion." *' Of much use to him, if his dishonest gains have plunged him into the flames of Purgatory.CHAPTER I. I say again, there is only this way open to you to liberate his soul and save your own. Con- A DOUBTFUL VOCATION. science demands the restitution of money dis- THE peccadilloes of Louise were recounted to honestly obtained; and the Church teaches us, the father with that charming airiness which 10 UNDER THE BAN. young people occasionally manifest when they other, these pleasurable emotions are succeeded supplement an involuntary confession with the by others just the reverse. Outside life has its private utterance, "I am not so bad for all that." attractions. What little I know of it-the imNone so innocent of all humility as the young, pressions I have gathered from the scanty readprovided they have a clear conscience. They ing which my aunt has allowed for forming my are proud of every thing-even of their excel- taste; in a word-shall I confess it?-a new lence-so to play the contrite is unpleasant to world which I find within me, illustrated by an them. They accuse themselves of yesterday's endless crowd of shapeless desires I could no misdemeanors with the conviction upon them more enumerate to you than I could to myself that, before the morrow, Dame Nature will have -these all unite to persuade me that life is not her way again, and betray them more grievously what religious books, sermons, even your reprethan before. This is not exactly what the con- sentations, my father (forgive my boldness), picfessor would desire to see; but then it is to be ture it. I can not help fancying that there are remembered that the human heart is unutterably things about it which I have yet to learn-a puzfroward, and so there is nothing for it but to ab- zle I little understand, but the full meaning of solve these charming young penitents, self-satis- which I shall discover some day. Then comes fled though they be, when they utter their sweet the thought that these vague aspirations, whose "My father" with a voice that would go straight object is at present unknown to me, with those to the heart of a tiger. endless perplexities which enter into and possess So Louise specified very scrupulously every my spirit, will eventually meet with their lawful remembered misdeed of the previous week. Of satisfaction. I know I explain myself very badcourse, the list was of that character to require ly, my father, but you told me to describe my the rosiest ink, should the young lady deem it feelings." necessary to enter it on the tablets of conscience. "And you have given a very accurate picture, Notwithstanding which, the confessor had daughter, of those misgivings and heart-promptfrowned twice during the recital. ings which continue to render the world attract-'"In any other case than yours, daughter," ive, though an enlightened conscience would he observed, with the utmost suavity, "such er- have you renounce it. The best have experirors as you have pleaded guilty to would be very enced this trial. God and nature contending insignificant. By a compassionate God they are alternately-the one urging to sacrifice, the othregarded, after all, as but infirmities to which er drawing back. Don't be afraid of the strugthe best of us are liable; and yet I can not help gle. I foresaw that you would be called upon being distressed at hearing so frequently of these to endure it, and ought to have forewarned you. consultations of your glass, and cherishings of It is an ordeal involving severe suffering." souvenirs, calculated greatly to alienate you from "You mistake me, my father. I have had your path of duty. My child! my child! when no painful experience; nothing in the least will you rise superior to these transient emotions amounting to anguish, I assure you. On the so unworthy of you? When will my gentle dove contrary, I am compelled to acknowledge that I spread wide her wings, and bid an eternal adieu derive great enjoyment from speculating on a to an evil world capable of yielding her no rest life I have never tried, but on the threshold of for the sole of her foot? When will that happy which I stand. Moreover, while I silence many moment arrive which shall hear the utterance, voices-respecting which I dare not even apply'I hesitate no longer! I am altogether God's!"' to my aunt-in revolving the great question, "You promised me time to reflect, my fa-'Ought I to forsake the world or not?' social ther." life rises up before me so attractively as to make "I did, daughter. So my only reason for me forget my half-uttered vow to enter the cloissaying this was to recall to your mind such con- ter. Last holidays, I spent a little time over a siderations as might aid in riveting your future natural history of my brother Julio's, which I choice. Open your heart to me, my dear child; brought to Clavibre with me. Up to that time let me read your inmost thoughts. Called by I had no conception of the marvelous activity God to decide your destiny, I much need a thor- of the living things that multiply on every side. ough knowledge of your feelings to guide me. What endless glory in this world around us! Tell me, then, what you have thought upon the what endless delight in the studies that unravel subject during the past week." its secrets! So far from doing me any injure "God knows, my father, they remain the whatever, they have attracted my soul to God, same. At times I fancy God is calling me to and enlarged my love for Him." Himself, and happiness beckons to me from the "Fine words, but fatal delusions, my child. midst of those kind sisters of the Sacre-Cceur, Mere natural instincts after all; too visionary among whom my childhood was passed. There to form a foundation for permanent resolves. are ecstatic moments in which I seem to feel The young would do well ever to mistrust this that a life far removed from the world would be love of nature, whose only tendency is to enerheaven begun." vate the heart." "Glorious seasons these, daughter; seasons "And yet, my father, feelings which bring us when the celestial Bridegroom speaks right to the feet of the Creator —which nourish in us home to the heart of His bride." a belief in His goodness and grandeur, in the "Most true, my father; and yet, somehow or eternity of His power and wealth, as He scat THE YOUNG PRIEST. 11 ters from the hands of His providence the treas- was not a little proud of the honor. She was ares of inexhaustible life-like the material sun fully alive to the consideration which induced bathing us in his glory-such feelings as these the Jesuit to bestow such marked attention on are surely religious, or there is no such thing as an old woman of her class-far from intelligent, religion at all." but a gossip, though of gossips the most artless "Wait a moment, daughter. Don't you see -and impressed with the conviction that it was that you are giving the reins to your private impossible to be too communicative in confesjudgment, while I have ever guided you to the sion, both as to her own affairs and those of othsafer and more excellent way of obedience, sac- ers as well. rifice, and mortification?" In the long rigmarole which she considered "Safer and more excellent, doubtless, my fa- her duty, if she was to state her troubles and ther, for the cloistered nun. But supposing I infirmities, she managed to give a detailed hiswere utterly disqualified for such a life?" tory of Madame, Louise, the great seminary of "You are all astray, daughter. That horrid T —, the Sulpicians at its head, together with book has done you harm. How foolish it was the ordination of Julio, Louise's brother, which of you to read works of which you know noth- was to take place in a few days, and of which ing, and how wrong of your brother to-" she was very full. "My father, you surprise me!" From all that fell from her, the priest became "Daughter, there is but one safe path-the more convinced than ever that the Abbe Julio, path of obedience. Every other, as you very during his recent recess at Claviere, had not well know, perplexes the judgment and wearies troubled himself much about the Jesuits, and the fancy. Meanwhile, listen to me. I am had even joked his sister about her "Father about to deliver a series of discourses in the Briffard," whom he had characterized as the Convent of the Sacre-Cceur, at which, as a great wiliest of all his wily set. Indeed, he had gone favor, a very limited number of young people so far as to say openly at table one day, when are permitted to be present as visitors. You he happened to be in a communicative vein, are looked upon already as a member of the that he pitied the poor woman who ever chanced house, so your admission will be an easy matter. to fall into the clutches of that good father-an It is my purpose to enlarge, on those occasions, expression of opinion which had made Madame on the happiness of the angelic life. That week color up and hasten to change the conversation. of quiet reflection will serve to dissipate the evil Meanwhile, on that very day, Louise had a coninfluences with which a worthless book has in- versation with her brother, and Madelette had fected a spirit hitherto so pure and blameless. distinctly overheard the young abbe warn her Now remember, daughter, that you must-" that they would discover one fine morning that But, though the priest continued his prosy their aunt had, by a charming will and testaaddress, Louise had ceased to listen to it. For ment, bequeathed all her fortune to the Jesuits. the first time in her life the spell was broken, "I don't think there was any malice," pleadand she was beginning to see. ed Madelette, "in all these remarks of the abbe," Having uttered her thoughts to her confessor for so she made a point of styling him, in imitawith extreme modesty, she had expected some- tion of her mistress. "So don't take any notice thing like a serious unravelment of her difficul- of it, my father, for he is a most excellent man." ties from the lips of the man whom, up to that "Be assured, dear daughter, that these calumday, she had been accustomed to regard as the nies in no way affect us. Our holy fraternity representative of God. His refusal to grapple has ever had the honor of being persecuted. with them wounded her pride. We do not accuse the authorities of Saint Sul"He treats me like a baby," she muttered, pice of slandering us to their pupils; but a and inclining her head for the accustomed bless- worldly spirit has found its way even into the ing as she concluded her devotions, she left the seminaries; and such is the mistaken leniency confessional irritated and distressed. It was of these good directors, that God alone knows to now Madelette's turn. what lengths the evil will spread in our diocese. Father Briffard was not in the habit of admit- Julio is a wrong-headed man. When he studting domestic servants to his confessional. His ied with us, we knew how to keep him in order; process was summary with those who had no silk but now who can tell where he will stop, with robes to rustle as a proof of station and wealth. his self-sufficiency and foolish fancies? For To quote a school phrase, this Jesuit of T. was ourselves, we never speak of him without shudpartial to fine linen. dering. Ask God, my daughter, in your prayAny citizen or artisan who required the serv- ers that the day may never come in which those ices of a spiritual guide usually went to Father who have called him to the priesthood will bitRenouillet- a lowly-minded, simple-hearted terly repent it. Had Julio been guided by us, man, best adapted for a pious missionary, who he would have been one of our most distinguishpreferred dealing with the humbler classes, and ed priests. He is admirably adaFted for the resigned without a sigh to his more assuming pulpit: in the ungoverned liberty of the priestbrethren the guardianship of aristocratic con- hood he will come to a bad end." sciences. "My father, how grieved I am to hear this!" Madelette, however, was admitted to the se- "Just so, my daughter; nor do I wish, by lect circle of Father Briffard, and, sooth to say, what I say, to diminish the regard you have for 12 UNDER THE BAN. him. We are very partial to the abbe ourselves; Though Verdelon was older than his friend, but he requires watching. From our position, he had hitherto received only inferior orders. you understand, from the esteem in which we Those over him had long since urged him to are privileged to be held by the archbishop, we take the decisive step of entering the priesthood; might have some influence on the future of this but the youth, attacked on all sides by a host of young man. It would be very ungrateful, on perplexities, with one fatal obstacle in his way, our part, did we wish to injure him, as well as sought time for reflection. The two friends very unwise, should he be prejudiced against us, confided in one another with that perfect unrenot to be silent on the matter, at the very least. serve so characteristic of their time of life, and I should wish him to understand this, and you constituting, in fact, one among its purest and will oblige me by telling him what I have said. happiest luxuries. "On the other hand, my daughter," he ob- If ever a noble spirit devoted itself to the servserved, as he rose to dismiss her, "you know, ice of the altar in obedience to an irresistible even batter than I do, that his uncle's property call it was Julio. According to his own statewas mainly acquired by extortion. Now we ment, he felt himself drawn thither instinctivehave no control over the excellent Madame de ly. His had been but a brief probation, and la Claviire in this matter; but I venture to tell the old Sulpician who directed his studies had you, in strictest confidence, that if she were to frequently said to him, " My son, you were born quiet her own soul by surrendering some of her a priest." For some minutes he had been the wealth, I have reason to know, my dear Made- only speaker. His friend, more thoughtful than lette, that you would be the first to profit by her ever, and evidently much depressed, scarcely anhaving preferred her own salvation to the pleas- swvered his remarks for some time; at length, ure of burning in hell to enrich two heirs, Ma- however, he broke the gloomy silence he had demoiselle Louise Julio, and M. l'Abbe, her maintained. brother. Am I not right?" "You are a happy man, Julio. You will "Of course, my father; you are always right," thoroughly enjoy the sacred office. As for me, answered Madelette." supposing I decided, I should make but a poor The old woman had been the depositary of priest." her confessor's confidence, and grew taller in her "How can you say that, Auguste, when you own estimation on the strength of it. The pen- are so strictly conscientious? Do get rid of ance with which he had visited her peccadilloes these needless scruples." seemed light indeed as she sallied forth triumph- " Scruples! don't call them so. I know myantly from the sanctuary of Father Briffard. self too well. I have probed my conscience too Her two mistresses had gone home without her. often to attribute my present resolve to those misgivings of sensitive spirits, leading them to o -— <~ —-stop short on the threshold of the grave responsibilities of the sacred office." CHAPTER III. "Resolve! You startle me!" "Wait a minute, and I will explain every M. VERDELON DECLINES THE PRIESTHOOD.. thing to you. I leave the seminary to-morrow." ON the same day that Louise left the chapel " Oh, Auguste! that is fearful news. How of the Inquisition, with the painful emotions re- wrong of you not to have told me sooner! I corded in the last chapter, her brother Julio was might have diminished your anxieties, or have taking a walk with his fellow-students. The helped to extricate you from that deep dejection black-robed train of embryo priests distributed in which you are at present plunged. Auguste, itself in scattered groups along the uninteresting you are timid, and that is both unmanly and banks of the Canal du Midi. Here a professor unchristian." descanted, for the 101st time, on one of those "Perhaps you are right; but it is too late old traditions, heard so often at St. Sulpice, and now. What would have been the good of my quoted for purposes of amusement in recreation unbosoming myself to you? I should only have hours. There a merry youth, the life of the cir- injured you by involving you in my difficulties, cle about him, retailed, amidst shouts of laugh- while it is by no means certain that your friendter, a series of jokes which he had diligently col- ly sympathy, dear as it is to me, would have lected. Others, over head and ears in mysteri- availed to heal the wounds in my mind and ous discussions, pursued excitedly that perilous heart. You have a guileless, innocent spirit, path in which faith lies buried in the subtle but your arguments would offer but weak resistcreations of the intellect, instead of passing into ance to my terrible doubts. I am glad I was those calm regions of the human conscience firm enough to shun the peril of poisoning your where the love of God is apprehended in the ex- mind. Be assured that it was at no little sacriercise of love to man. fice that I resolved to suffer alone. Do you reJulio and Auguste Verdelon, his bosom friend member those happy days we spent at Claviere from childhood, were walking by themselves. It last holidays? Your sister Louise and you were was the last expedition of the kind he was ever full of fun, and bantered me upon my serious to take. The next day he was to retire from air. You used laughingly to say that you were the others to prepare for his coming deacon's certain I found the vacation too long; and your ordination. sister, pulling to pieces the large blossoms of the THE YOUNG PRIEST. 13 China-asters in the garden, used to throw the iant and distinguished people. My relative, a petals over my head like a shower of snow-flakes, man of immense wealth, is a member of the in imitation, she would say, of the ancient cus- Council General of the Haute-Garonne, very tom of crowning sacrificial victims. You asked influential, and, consequently, possessed of good me if I meant to weep longer than the daugh- connections and numerous friends. I was then ter of Jephtha on the mountains. Dear, kind- a young man. He introduced me to all the hearted friends! I often smiled at what you families of mark in the neighborhood. There said, when my heart was sorrowful even unto followed a series of invitations and entertaindeath." ments. God knows, I never lost sight, for a "Most jealously have I treasured up the moment, of the decorum which became me as a memories you speak of, Auguste, though I Christian and an ecclesiastic. I was resolved little suspected, at the time, the severity of that even the most thoughtless of the young your sufferings. Had I had the faintest idea men around me should never forget that due reof them, I should have used other words to you gard for my position which I myself observed so than those of innocent raillery. Meanwhile, strictly. At the same time, the world appeared let me make one last effort to win you from to me in a new light, though I had by no means your resolve. Though I am your junior, I am surrendered my heart to its influence, nor failed grave enough to deserve your confidence. In a in that prudent hesitation which the firm conweek I shall be a priest, so respect my office by victions and impressions of my entire previous anticipation. More than that, I am your friend life had naturally engendered. -heart and soul. Unbosom yourself to me. "I was born an observer. The habit of letI have sufficient confidence in the fixedness of ting nothing slip of the minutest circumstances my own purpose to apprehend no injury to my- occurring around us is one of the most intellecself from any thing you may say. The sight tual exercises within our reach. So I tasted of your anguish makes me thankful at my own for two long months the delights of that mental escape." research engaged in by a young and vigorous "As you please, dear Julio. I should be, mind in the presence of novelties. In this way indeed, ungrateful if I did not respond to such I studied the world, while I maintained suffiaffectionate interest. My history is very sim- cient watchfulness over myself to feel at rest as pie. You shall have it in a few words. You to my heart remaining true to its allegiance. know how enthusiastic we young men are, and Here, indeed, as I believed, was my great safeour veneration for the Jesuit fathers who have guard, preserving me in complete security durinstructed us. You know, too, my sincere at- ing that fascinating journey of thought in which tachment to these worthy Sulpicians-the most I sought after truth with all the earnestness I unpretending and virtuous of priests. So long could command. My hours of solitude, too, as these first impressions remained with me weighed as much in their influence over me as after I had ceased to be a child, my spirit was those in which I gave myself up to what had composed. Better still, I threw myself, with now become my favorite pursuit. My uncle's all the energy of my character, into that mys- library is rich, especially in works of philosophy tical career which modern rashness so often and history. Some capital treatises, which I thrusts upon men utterly unsuited for the clois- read most eagerly, showed me that in the narter, whose temperament demands the hardier row course of our antiquated divinity we had and more common-sense realities of the secular not even crossed the threshold of that wonderful life. At that time I was in the full glow of the temple which time has erected to the study of neophyte state. Every thing that was grand, man, his nature, rights, and duties. Was it glorious, and magnanimous seemed, to my strange, then, that I abandoned myself so eathinking, enshrined in a life of devotion, hu- gerly to these all-engrossing topics? mility, and sacrifice. The world had been un- "My uncle put into my hands a few thoughtceasingly represented to me as a horror to be ful historical works, in which the world around shunned; the affections of our nature as culpa- me was exhibited with all its mighty tendencies, ble impulses, to be subdued under pain of dam- its earnest yearnings after progress, its longings nation; woman as a fatal evil, whom it was to break the chains of that social and religious death even to think of; and the relationships thralldom by which it had been bound for a thouof life as a standing peril to the soul-even, sand years. occasionally, the shipwreck of virtue. These "Then, too, I suddenly discovered that the notions I duly imbibed and cherished; they in- teaching of the Jesuits-our earliest masterscorporated themselves into my inner being; had been nothing but a cunning protracted falseand as mine never was a nature to do things by hood; that all the facts of history had been so halves, I yielded myself to their influence with disguised as to make me hate that very civilizathe ardor of the most desperate fanaticism. I tion which I saw around me, the very age in was still in this state, of what I now call child- which I was born, and to sigh after those byish delusion, when, at the end of my second gone years when nations were held in check like theological year, I went to pass the holidays patient herds, following only in the beaten path, with an uncle of mine, who has a charming cherishing no other ambition than to be as the country house near St. Gaudens. There I generations that had passed away before them. found a large and fashionable gathering of brill- And so I came to ask myself if the clergy had 14 UNDER THE BAN. been falsely charged with the project of bringing scribe. I believe, with you, in the divine origin the world into bondage to a spiritual rule. of the Christian religion, and hence I venerate "The period of the Middle Ages appeared to it. I know, too, that the Church, as the exme the natural development of that perilous ponent and embodiment of Gospel teaching, is theory which, while it intrusts the Church with thoroughly distinct from her clergy. But I spiritual power, concedes the temporal with it, know, also, on the irrefragable testimony of hison the assumption that she is the rightful arbiter tory, that in the bosom of this Church-call it in matters moral, and that social and political Christian or Catholic, as you please-after the economy belong to that category. And I saw grand old days when she gloried in spurning all at once that those protracted struggles of human that the world might offer of wealth or greatthought which in the Western world resulted in ness, her clergy, organized into a private clique, the great schism of Protestantism, issued only self-constituted a privileged body, have hankered from a general protest against that very tyranny after that wealth which Christ, in His lowliness which the ill-considered theories and traditions and poverty, rejected; established themselves of my youth had upheld. And this idea, so ut- the rivals of the monarchs of this world; and terly new, brought with it a wonderful light. crowned themselves with gold on every possible Possibly I am captious and imaginative, but I occasion, in open defiance of His example, whose resent imposition. My discoveries in history- only kingdom here was a kingdom of souls, whose all the evidence that I had collected round me, one diadem a diadem of thorns." as I traced out the progress of the war between "But all this in no way interferes with the freedom of thought and priestly domination, fact that the apostles and their successors have drove me to the involuntary conclusion that, been intrusted with a divine mission." were I to join the ranks of the clergy, I should "Certainly not; but you must acknowledge but be numbering myself among the deadliest that it shows a terrible falling away, even fiom enemies of the great human family, since, un- the teaching of these very men. Here we have happily, in the name of the Gospel, and under them occasionally urging separation from the the guise of liberty, emancipation, and progress, world, and for a thousand years pursuing it with they are striving with painful energy to arrest pitiless greed. The Vicar of Christ, great in his forever the onward march of the race. spiritual vicegerency, has been gradually appro" My friend, the bare idea of being solemnly, priating, for 800 years, the rich provinces of indissolubly allied with the enemies of progress Central Italy, and is satisfied with nothing short seemed intolerable; and from the day that I of being enthroned as monarch of the world, with first said to myself,'It is not too late; you may kings and emperors at his feet. Julio, if this is yet leave these willing but blind guides, who are the Gospel, all I can say is, I know nothing whatdying in the darkness they call light,' from that ever about it." day I was happy and free." "There is no denying the inconsistency to Julio had listened with deepest interest. He which you allude; but, then, all the great rephad been perplexed by the glaring contradiction resentatives of the Church's 7eal spirit have bebetween the noble, enlarging character of the wailed it. You know what St. Bernard thought Christian religion and clerical love of power. at a time when the temporal power of the Papacy Liberal in spirit, but gentle and patient, he im- was at its grandest. You remember Fenelon's agined he had solved the difficulty by transfer- bitter yearning after the period when the Church, ring to lay shoulders the odium of this tyranny. abounding in martyr spirits, plumed herself litLess exclusive, too, thanVerdelon, he comforted tle on her temporal power; and his fervent exhimself with the reflection that there was plenty clamation,' Would God that the bride of Christ of work to be done by those in holy orders, and were of the same mind now, and as ready to that he could conscientiously become a priest strip herself of worldly advantages!' And Lawithout abjuring his sympathy with the social cordaire's famous saying about'hunting for the advancement of the age. Church between the time of the catacombs and'Are you not confounding parties?" he asked, Constantine."' interrupting Verdelon. "Why accuse the en- "Of course; but all this only proves one tire body of the ambition of a few men whom point, that there have ever been those who have history exhibits as ever aspiring to a spiritual appreciated the evil to which the clergy have rule? We must keep in sight the divine and brought us by their grasp at worldly dominion. human in the Church. The one you are wel- I agree with you that the essential spirit of the come to anathematize, for whatever man touches Church is the spirit of her Founder, and directhe spoils; but the other is noble and illustrious, ly opposed to the tyranny of the priesthood, and and will stand forever." therefore I cling to the one and quit the other." "A most lamentable decision to arrive at." "As you please; but let me appeal to your candor. You acknowledge that the dereliction CHAPTER IV. of the clergy from their own teaching-deplored VERDELON CONTINUES TO EXPLAIN. equally by both of us-is opposed to the doctrine of Christ and to the actual spirit of the Church. "BE assured, Julio," said Verdelon, in reply, You have the clergy assuming to be the Church's "I have not been guilty of the errors you de- exponents, living all these ages in the practical THE YOUNG PRIEST. 15 denial of the trust confided to her charge-urg- constituted authority. It involves a disagreeaing it with their lips, repudiating it in their lives. ble struggle between conscientious convictions Can an inconsistent priesthood represent the and a delicate sense of honor. I hope your amiChurch? And can you blame those of us who ability of spirit may help to smooth for you decline fellowship with a body that makes the what you must admit is a rugged path. God Church odious by holding her up as the inveter- speed you on your way! Success will make a ate enemy of freedom? Explain this anomaly hero of you, defeat a martyr." as plausibly as you will. I won't cavil. Only Meanwhile the evening clouds were lengthremember, what can not, in fact, be denied, that ening along the plain. A gorgeous sunset prethe clergy, in their spirit and teaching, have di- sented to the two friends a sight which it is difvorced themselves from the Church; and don't ficult ever to witness unmoved, and which dwellbe afraid to commend those who are resolved to ers by the sea may behold in its utmost magnifleave such men alone to decay and die in soli- icence. Southward, the vast irregular chain of tary isolation, and to wait for the advent of more the Pyrenees spread out like a great veil of azure honest representatives of the primitive body." bathed in gold and purple. The city, in the "Just so; but, admitting the degeneracy, I middle distance, with the sun in the back-ground think the more reasonable, practical inference hidden by clouds, whose edges it was gilding, would be, to associate one's self as soon as pos- was swathed in a rose-colored mist. There lay sible with them, in order to help in restoring the its buildings, a confused mass-the spire of St. old spirit. At all events we should make the ex- Sernin and the lofty naves of the churches risperiment." ing from their midst. An entire creation lived "Julio, the hour is not yet come. All who, and moved in the fleecy clouds that covered the like yourself, are striving to bring about a state sky. Vast blue seas, immense forests, wondrous of harmony between the clergy and modern so- forms, such as fable, or geology, or the records ciety will be compelled to yield. I honor your of antediluvian days describe, presented themnoble impulses, but I see also the miseries to selves to the imagination. Nature, prodigal of which they will lead you. You are too large- her wealth, had spread out to the uttermost hohearted to rank yourself with the domineering rizon a glorious landscape to the ravished senses. party in the priesthood; and from the day that The two friends gazed a while at the magnifiyou decline to anathematize the present, and cry cent prospect, and not till the clouds had lost out after the glories of the Middle Ages, you their fantastic shapes and burning tints did they will become an object of suspicion, and will be resume their conversation. shunned as an outcast. For myself, I had no "I haven't told you every thing, Julio. I fancy for this distasteful prospect, and hence a am most unquestionably concerned at the unstrong reason with me, perhaps my chief one, for happy state of things I have described, and have renouncing that office to which, throughout my no fancy for a dress under which popular feeling whole life, I have felt myself to be called." recognizes tyrants instead of brethren. But, "My dear Verdelon, were I required to de- besides that, I am by no means disposed to regiscide the question for myself this day, the motive ter a vow of celibacy; for I believe that a young you urge would never deter me. I deplore man has no right to bind himself by so terrible equally with yourself the fatal antagonism in an obligation." which a large section of the clergy is placed, but "And yet, my dear fellow, this vow is taken I do not see that this affects the entire body. every day, and thousands of young priests are There is a thoughtful minority which has re- faithful to it." mained true to the traditions of the past, and "Not a doubt of it, and you among them, has had the wisdom to shun that dangerous spirit when it comes to the time; for don't I know which you have indicated. These are the real your high principle of honor and allegiance? guardians of the vital spark. In common with I know, too, that there are many priests who those good men and true whose religion is prac- succeed in subduing every thing that is repugtical, they constitute the Church's essence and nant to this obligation, but at the cost of what her life. Ours is, indeed, a sad experience. It bitter struggles! and for what end? The mais a painful thing to see throughout the Episco- jority don't believe in their triumph; you know pate, and even in the Pontifical chair, that mun- that as well as I do. The world has its ideas dane theory, the growth of the barbarous ages, upon this point, and will never abandon them. that power and wealth are needed for the Church's Things have happened from time to time tendspiritual welfare. But we believe, and are sure, ing to strengthen this incredulity. The upright that good times are coming, and that this effete priest is suspected as much as his weaker brothtradition is near its end; and even though I er, and so the Western Church loses all the adcaught but a glimpse of the glorious uprising of vantage which it calculated on deriving from this better day, and insinuated into a few spirits the celibacy of its clergy. The Eastern comonly one feeble ray of the sunshine at hand, the munion has been wiser in her generation. She attempt would satisfy me. I wish you were a will ordain none but married men. On this little braver; but perhaps you hold back from point, too, I sounded myself; and, detecting in other motives." my heart a rising attachment, the extent of " It is not expedient, I think, to make parties which I had little imagined, I learned that I in the government of the Church, and to oppose was a man, and saw at once what a bitter, life 16 UNDER THE BAN. long experience I should be treasuring'up for his window, and the breath of fresh air blowing myself if I took the prescribed oath. I should across his cheek, combined with the effort which be rash, indeed, to make a vow when one look, he made to tranquilize his spirit, had the deone word, one pressure of the hand would be sired effect; and when, in the after matin servenough to upset my purpose. I should be sorry ice, the sweet thrilling voices of the boys, his to submit my fellow-students twice to the test I fellow-students, chanted the hymn with which, was called upon to endure last holidays. They for so many centuries, the Church has been wont would leave behind them at La Claviere a poor to implore the benediction of the Spirit, as a bleeding heart. Spirit of light and grace, Julio joined his melo"These are my reasons, then, for quitting dy to theirs, and, soaring for the time from earth this place. I told them to my director, who re- and its troubles on the wings of adoration and plied, in general terms, that the holidays had love, found rest at the footstool of His throne ruined me; that bad books had upset my brain; whose errands of mercy he was so soon to exethat I had listened to the suggestion of the devil, cute. etc., etc. It was no use arguing with the good old soul, who is excellence incarnate; so I must go and make my final preparations. I will shake CHAPTER V. hands with you before I leave. Don't forget me, Julio. You are going to be a priest. May a kind Providence spare you those troubles which IN the empire of the Roman Church, which threaten the upright and loyal-hearted members comprises, it is said, 200,000,000 subjects scatof that body to which you will so soon belong!" tered over the face of the world, there are two They had reached the town; there were peo- kings. The one is visible to all, and is called pie passing and repassing on all sides; so it the Pope. He is enthroned at theVatican, with would have been imprudent to have prolonged cardinals, chamberlains, prelates, and guards, the conversation. Crossing the Place du Capi- arrayed like stage-dancers in a drama of the tole, they entered the Rue du Taur, and soon dis- fifteenth century. The other is the real ruler. appeared behind the high walls of the seminary. IHe is established at the Gesu, and is called the On his return to his cell Julio recalled his General of the Jesuits. He is the head of an recent conversation with his friend. How often association the most united, the most energetic, had he himself said as much as, and even more and the most powerful in the world. than, Verdelon had urged! But he had been The first of these potentates is addressed as his endowed with a heroic disposition. If he de- Ioliness, the second as his Reverence. Should tected dangers in front, he felt that he could you ever be presented to the Pope, you will meet overcome them. What is virtue worth, he ar- in the ante-chamber of the apartment where the gued, if she is never tested? Granted that the Vicar of Christ will offer you his ring and his priesthood, in which I am about to enroll my- toe to kiss, and before entering which you will self, has backslidden. The fact is to be de- be required to make three successive genuflexplored, but it in no way affects me. I shall be ions, four or five young bishops in violet sounone the less able to minister to the poor, the tanes, with rochets plaited in small folds, enweak, the weary of this world's stray sheep. It livening by a quiet chat the tedium of court will be mine to watch over some retired village ceremonies. When you have crossed the threshwhither I shall be sent as its pastor. Of course, old of the Gesil, and are about to present yourI shall have my troubles; but if I fulfill my mis- self to the General of the Jesuits, you pass sion, the prospect is glorious. through a room where forty secretaries may be After the evening meal they met again. Ju- seen writing in every known language, and lio, seeing that it was idle to oppose so firm a eventually find yourself in the presence of a resolve, made no additional effort to influence man intrusted with stupendous powers, who will his friend. Meanwhile Verdelon laid bare his invite you to be seated, and enter into familiar heart still farther, intimating the deep impres- conversation with you. He is the Richelieu of sion made upon him by the fair Louise, whom Catholicism; the other is its Louis XIII. he had met at La Claviere, and who appeared to There is more real work done here in a few him as the perfection of beauty and excellence. days than is achieved in all the assemblies pre"Pity me, Julio," he said, at parting, "but sided over by cardinals, or even by the Pope never cease to love me." himself, in an entire year. The Papacy repreThe silvery tones of the chapel-bell summon- sents the old economy of the Church in the ed the seminarists to prayer. Julio wrestled in Middle Ages, with its jog-trot ways, its goodvain to recover his composure. His guileless nature, its genial fashions; while Jesuitism is spirit was violently disturbed. The period of administered with all the skill of that system of meditation which was to precede his ordination centralization in which lies the strength of modwas inaugurated by a severe struggle. He pass- ern institutions. The Vatican is a great feudal ed the night in agitation; gloomy visions invad- castle and home of domestic life. The Gesh is ed his slumbers; dark phantoms grinned at him an office where each finds on his arrival, mornas they feigned to drag him fiom his bed, and ing after morning, his appointed task, and works threatened him with their vengeance. under the stern eye of a president who holds the With the first gleam of daylight he threw open interests of the world in his hands. THE YOUNG PRIEST. 17 The Pope is prodigal of his gifts and blessings; utter prostration, the precursor of its dying strugrepresenting Iim who multiplie1 the five loaves gles. as the desert feast, he imagines that the treasury Over and over again has Pius IX. sought to of the sovereign of the Roman States is inex- withdraw himself from this tyranny. On one haustible for a like miraculous reason. No case occasion he fished out of the archives of the of suffering or indigence, we might truly add no Vatican the authentic documents of their expious scheme, is ever handed to him without his pulsion under Clement XIV., and directed Fagiving a handsome subscription; and when from ther Theiner to publish them under the title of the lofty balcony that crosses the enormous "The Life of ClementXIV." The book proved porch of St. Peter's he pronounces his blessing to be the most formidable ever issued against on the Church and on the world, a sensation of the society since its contents had first been fulawe pervades the prostrate crowd, and those even minated by the same authority. The Jesuits, who are not of the faithful are infected by the pliant in the midst of their strength, bent their peculiar belief that in some sort and to some heads to the storm, and rose from it more vigdegree he is God. orous than ever. It was expected, indeed, that The very reverend General of the Jesuits, on they would have been utterly annihilated when the other hand, administers an exchequer larger the solemn sentence upon their prophetess, Caththan that of twenty minor potentates, such as the arinella, who went about in every direction prekings of Bavaria, Portugal, and Greece. Yet dieting the marvels which were on the eve of every farthing that he spends is entered with transpiring in the Catholic world by their inthe most rigid exactness. Revolutions overturn strumentality, more especially the union of the the old system of things. Under their influence, Eastern Churches with Rome, was posted up in fair convents and wealthy colleges raised by every direction, even on the columns of the great some powerful religious society are transformed facade of St. Peter's. Meanwhile they received into barracks; and when tranquillity is once the check in silence, but soon forced a reckonmore restored, when the last throes of the polit- ing, and a return to their protection. Their ical struggle are over, in a few years, under the great triumph was the proclamation of the Imsuccessful influence of this great ruler of the maculate Conception; and the column of the order of St. Ignatius, buildings worth many "Immaculate," erected by decree of the Pope, thousands, funds invested in the most profitable served only to rectify their distinctive theology. and promising speculations, attest the outside Thus the Jesuits' Vatican has got the upperwork of that society, whose expenditure on itself hand of the Papal; the true Pontiff sees himis limited to the clothing of a few individuals, self surrounded with the real powers of the and the provisioning of their modest table. The Church, while the other is free to give state anPapacy receives yearly from the offerings of the diences to the embassadors of kings and emfaithful, from the proceeds of dispensations, gi- perors; to shower hosts of medals, rosaries, and gantic sums, of which it reserves not a farthing "agnuses;" to send the golden rose to empressfor itself. Say there is some old Madonna of es and queens, and satisfy the general appetite dark wood, like that of Chartres or NMtre Dame for benediction which the populace of Rome is des Victoires-should the Pope send it a crown, forever manifesting. the diadem will be of gold, inlaid with precious The General has always aimed at promoting stones, and will have cost 80,000 francs. The the growth of the order in France. Rome is in Papacy, like an inexhaustible fountain, is ever her dotage; in religion, as in every thing else, yielding, The Society of Jesus is a deep abyss, she has long ceased to be a source of life and which would engulf through successive genera- activity. France is the land of energy, and tions the hard-earned gold of preacher and pro- thither the Jesuits have directed special attenfessor, the inheritance so long and so patiently tion. For ten years they have been pursuing waited for, did not the terrible law of periodical the perilous enterprise of establishing themrevolutions fulfill itself from time to time, and selves quietly in the heart of that great nation, transfer the gold of Delphi to the plunderer's boldly laying hold of the education in all the sack. towns of France, and building colleges intended The Popes are painfully conscious of the to rival in splendor those erected by the Statepressure of that rival power which, under the bestowing on this last measure their special enpretext of defending them, insinuates itself qui- ergies. etly in their place. Clement XIV. summoned It was natural that T-, the metropolis of courage at length, after great hesitation and the south, and pre-eminently Catholic, should many tears, to raise his hand against the en- attract their notice. Unable, as may be expectcroaching tribe by disbanding his janizaries. ed, to content themselves with having for their After the terrible convulsions of the Revolution college a paltry building at the end of the church the Papacy, now at its last extremity, flung it- of St. Sernin, they felt the necessity for erectself once more into their arms. Very soon ing a costly and imposing structure in its room. their influence was painfully felt. They be- The same evening that Julio had tried in vain came the vehement opponents of Pius IX. in to sleep, a solemn scene was being enacted in his political reforms; and now they support the Maison de'Inquisition. A secret council him only because they have thoroughly hum- had been summoned by the provincial governor bled his power, and reduced it to that state of of the order. B 18 UNDER THE BAN. When perfect stillness had attested that the most eligible part of the city. But where is-all fathers were all gone to their cells, and no one this money to be procured?" was straying in the narrow passages, seven elder- A suppressed smile stole over the lips of his ly priests assembled in the council-chamber. auditors, and a low whispering was just audiA single lamp lit the apartment, and flung its ble. flickering lustre on the walls. Here and there "Three million fiancs I" said Father Grelet hung some engravings, clumsily framed, the por- (who was seated on the right of the President), traits of men of their own day, renowned for raising his head; " it's an immense sum. Untheir piety in the religious world; a picture of der the old system we could have erected a noSt. Ignatius, St. Francis Xavier, St. Louis de ble provincial college for fifty thousand livres." Gonzague, a sacred heart of Jesus, a sacred "Yes, under the old regime," said the others, heart of Mary, the martyrdom of some mission- with a sigh. aries in China and Japan, and the appearance "You know," replied the Provincial, "that of the Virgin to the children of La Salette. An we can not look for help from the society. Evimmense plaster crucifix painted black, and to ery available penny of their property has been which the artist had given the effect of metal by invested in promising enterprises, more especialthe skillful use of bronze powder, decorated the ly in railways, for the purpose of forming a relower end of the apartment. serve fund, most carefully guarded, as a proviThe furniture in the room consisted of a table sion against any extremities that may occur. covered with a green woolen cloth, an arm-chair We ought to be prepared, for instance, for our behind it, and a few common chairs ranged expulsion from France by a possible revolution. round, while an old red brick flooring was the No fear of that at present, thank God! but trouonly relic of the decoration of that terrible apart- blesome times may come, and it would be vain ment whence, in the Middle Ages, had issued then to suggest the desirableness of having what many a sentence of death. ought to be ready for use. At Poitiers, and The reverend Provincial approached the table, Bordeaux, and many other places, colleges have and laid upon it a large leather port-folio with a been raised, or are being raised, without the steel fastening. The other fathers ranged them- slightest aid from the general purse-why can selves right and left. All went down on their not we do the same? Our rule is peremptory, knees as he uttered, in low, measured tones, the as you very well know, that every new foundaVeni Sancte and Ave Maria. The fathers re- tion should be self-supporting. So strict, insponded to the prayer, and when it was over, deed, is this obligation that, supposing we had seated themselves, bending their eyes to the two houses in the'same town, each would be reground. quired to be independent of the other. To this The Provincial opened his port-folio, and regulation, in spite of its apparent harshness and spoke as follows: opposition to the general principle of brotherly " Fathers, I have just received from our very kindness, we owe the wonderful extension of our reverend General authority to build at T —- a order in every town. Even in Paris our head house for our order. You must have noticed establishment is forbidden to send the slightest the favorable position we have acquired in this assistance to any other in the city. Two years place, where we are more firmly established than ago, Father Ravignan, happening to be present in any other town in France. Our flourishing one evening at the house of a lady of position college, too numerous for its present limited ac- in the Faubourg St. Germain, made a collection commodation in the Place St. Sernin, requires for a recent foundation in one of the suburbs without delay a larger establishment, where we that was by no means certain of the morrow's might receive an even greater number. food, and dissolved the pious and benevolent "You approved last year of the idea of build- assemblage to tears. It is hard, I acknowledge: ing, and I communicated our views to the Gen- yet are we not universally reverenced for this eral. They have received his sanction, and we voluntary poverty and independence? Our orare now to deliberate how best to carry them der must be wealthy and powerful, even though out. Here are the architect's designs. We must we wanted the necessaries of life. You see the not have a shabby affair: our new structure spirit of this our constitution." ought to strike the eye by the grandeur of its "We must submit to so wise a regulation," proportions, and to eclipse all the other city said another of the fathers. buildings-the archiepiscopal palace, the sem- "Undoubtedly," added the Provincial; and inary, the prefecture; and, save only in the turning over the leaves of his port-folio, he drew matter of a porch of marble pillars, it ought to out a paper, and placed it before him. match the Capitol itself. You will agree with "We have already got some money in hand," me that we are bound to exhibit our power to he remarked. "500,000 francs is our net inthe world. For us poor priests, the humble re- come from our College of St. Sernin for the curtirement of our cell, our soutane, our daily bread, rent year. are enough; but our order must appear wealthy "Then there are 220,000 francs the proceeds and great. You will be dismayed, doubtless, at of sermons preached by our fathers in behalf of hearing that the entire expense will exceed three missions, stations, and retreats, since our estabmillions. Out of this sum, it is true, 450,000 lishment at T-, including various donations francs will have to be expended in a site in the collected in the town by the said fathers. THE YOUNG PRIEST. 19 " 92,667 francs collected privately, from house in preventing any possible evidence arising here. to house, in T- and in the diocese. after that he was not in the full possession of his "200,000 francs have been offered for our faculties when he arranged his affairs; and then present establishment by the Society of the Per- in introducing to him our worthy friend M. Lepetual Adoration. gros, whom I had selected as a suitable trustee. "Special legacies obtained through trusts: I have made an appointment for to-morrow in "The Countess de Levignac, 80,000 francs; connection with this business, and I don't think the Marchioness de Cadours, 120,000 francs; the day will pass without seeing our object acthe widow Marquet, 230,000 francs; M. Lasson, complished." late banker, 70,000 francs; the Count de Ville- "What do you consider the sum total of his brumier, 118,000 francs; donations to the por- fortune?" ter from time to time, 96,000 francs; sums real- "Oh, very large-200,000 francs at least." ized through diamonds, bracelets, trinkets, and "And he is very old?" valuable lace rescued from worldly uses, 60,000 "Old, indeed!-almost in his second childfrancs. Total, 1,786,667 francs. hood." " So much for our cash in hand. Now here " Then take care of the old man. And you, is more that may be confidently relied upon, un- Father Grandier, what do you make of the Viless some covetous and sacrilegious guardians comtesse de Vateil?" wrest it from us by means of the law. "She, too, is a little difficult to deal with, "The entire fortune of Madame de Fronton, reverend father," said Father Grandier. " She sworn under 240,000 francs, bequeathed to us in has two female cousins to be got out of the way the name of M. Buvalot, an excellent man, on -mad after her fortune, sly as the slyest Gascon, whom we can reckon as confidently as on our- and who set me at defiance. However, I have selves. The old lady is seventy-eight; she is them in hand. I have succeeded in convincing breaking visibly, and Dr. Legrand assured me them that they had better share with us 400,000 yesterday that she would never live through the francs than run the risk of seeing their relative autumn. At the fall of the leaf she dies. die intestate, in which case they would only "The Baroness de Montech leaves us part of have one-tenth of the fortune, which would be her property, in the name of M. Oussiat, our divided among several collateral branches. They, trustee. His lawyer reckons the moiety at would like to have it all; but they will come to 80,000 francs. The other portion goes to her terms in the end. The poor lady is visibly failsister, two years her junior, and will reach us ing; the first cold will carry her off. I mean by-and-by, I trust. Father Gervaise, you know to expedite my measures. There are already this lady-she is your Philotis, I fancy." some portable articles of value promised me, Father Gervaise inclined his head, with a without fail." smile of assent. "I hope I shall be a match "God speed you! And our excellent Father for her, reverend father." Briffard, has he commenced his attack?"' You see, then, what is ours-or almost ours; " Yes, reverend father." but we are a long way off yet from the sum re- And the triumphant director, bringing out a quired. Our General writes to me:' Under- port-folio before the bewildered gaze of the ventake nothing without having the money in hand:' erable council, produced a stamped paper, duly so we must scrape up the balance in some way engrossed and registered, and handed it to the or other. Our first trust is in Him who mani- Provincial. festly protects our order, seeing that, after so " It's a will!" he exclaimed, taking the docmany ups and downs, such conflicts with skep- ument; his eye brightened, his features twitched tics, blasphemers, and revolutionists, it is still at with excitement; a smile of supreme satisfacthe head of Catholicism. But God would have tion played over his lips. us use the means, and that energetically. Sure- He read the paper in the midst of a solemn ly in such a wealthy town as T, where there silence: are so many pious and devoted spirits, we might be able to get hold of these three millions. " Napoleon III., by the grace of God and the "Let us see what prospects we have. Fa- national will, Emperor of the French, to all ther Chevy, you are the spiritual guide of old whom these presents may concern, greeting. M. Cayron. What are your expectations? He " I, the undersigned, Imperial notary in the has only a distant heir. Have you a will ready?" town of T —, enrolled as No. 42, residing at Father Chevy rose. No. 15 Place Lafayette; having betaken my" I find some difficulties in the way, very rev- self from my aforementioned dwelling to the erend father: M. Cayron is very changeable; abode of Dame Eleonora Susan Guitrat de la, his ideas don't always agree; and, between our- Claviere, widow of the late Stephen Felix Julio selves, he is slightly in his dotage. I can reckon de la Claviere, living at No. 27 Rue du Taur, on his two servants-pious women, who never have received, in the presence of the witnesses leave him nor let him see any body-and whom undersigned, from the said lady her last will, I have given to understand that they would each which I have set down as follows: receive a handsome legacy if they succeeded in "'I, Eleonora Susan Guitrat de la Claviere, persuading their master to make a will in our widow of the late Stephen Felix de la Claviere, favor. I need great caution in what I do: first, aged seventy-two; knowing that there is nothing 20 UNDER THE BAN. more uncertain than life, and more certain than ny over consciences. Thou hast commanded death, make the hereinafter-mentioned testa- reverence in the world, thou hast encountered mentary arrangements: misfortune. St. Leo the Great and St. Vincent "'I appoint by these presents-as my sole de Paul have worn thee. Soon thou wilt be trustee, in acknowledgment of his great and uni- only a relic of the past, like the mantle of Plato, form attachment to me, M. Vincent-Smarag de or the great philosophers of Greece, like the Tournichon, residing at T-, 13 Rue Mage, coats of mail of the knights of the Middle Ages, commissioning him to pay the following lega- deposited in our modern museums. Thy day of cies: rejection is at hand; but how bitter the strug"'1. An annuity of 1000 francs to M. l'Abbe gle, how severe the anguish, ere the defeated Julio de la Claviere, my nephew, at present a priesthood will fling thee aside!" deacon in the seminary of T-, 16 Rue du The departure of Verdelon, consequent on Taur. his resolve to give up the sacred profession, was " 2. An annuity, to a like amount, to Made- the great topic of discussion at the seminary. moiselle Louise Julio de la Claviere, my niece, " He is quite right," said some, " if he has no at present residing with me at No. 27 Rue du predilections that way." Taur. "Let us pray constantly for him," said the "'3. An annuity of 350 francs to my serv- more sanctimonious among them, turning up ant, Madelette Romingas of the village of Val- their eyes as became their piety. cabrere.' As he was descending the stairs, followed by " All which bequests, I, the notary undersign- an attendant carrying his luggage, he caught the ed, have taken down and engrossed in these pres- mutter behind him of the single word, "unents; valid for those whom they may concern. frocked!" The blood rushed to his forehead; "(Here follow the signatures.) a tear fell from his eye; for the insult pained "True copy. him deeply. A large group was collected in the " (Signed) DUBOURDIER, Notary." corridor; some of them feigned sympathy with the honest-hearted youth, to whom they had The paper was carefully stowed away in the been very partial; others seemed scarcely to morocco case. know him, and regarded him with indifference; "Very good, indeed, Father Briffard," said a few fanatics darted at him glances that would the Provincial. "At what sum do you compute not have disgraced the countenance of an inthis legacy-making the usual deductions for quisitor. He bent his eyes to the ground and costs?" passed on; no friendly remark, not even a soli" According to M. Tournichon at 450,000 tary adieu, proceeded from a single one of them. francs." The least obnoxious of them would have thought "And will the testator live long?" it wrong to have compromised themselves by en" She is close to her end." couraging him. "Then we may begin to build. What think "Just as he was leaving the corridor and you, fathers?" approaching the door he heard a well-known It is doubtful whether the assent of those voice: present was given with cordial unanimity. The " Once more, good-by, dear, dear Verdelon!" Provincial rose. All went down on their knees. Astonishment showed itself in the face of evA prayer is addressed to the Virgin-the visible cry one present at this act of moral heroism. protectress of the good fathers-as bestowing The speaker was Julio, and he now stepped forupon them so liberally that worldly wealth which ward to grasp the hand of his friend. He folthey had piously renounced by their vow of pov- lowed him affectionately with his eyes till the erty. heavy outer gate swung to behind the fugitive. ___~ —9 —-- As Julio returned to his cell through the same group he overheard the following benevCHAPTER VI. olent and veracious remark: " Here is another of the set who is mad at LETTER FROM JULIO TO LOUISE. not having gone with him." IT was not without a heart-pang that poor Before going to the Rue Pergaminiere, where Verdelon went to his cell to complete his pack- he secured a small apartment looking south, ing after having taken leave of the kind and ex- Verdelon stopped before No. 27 of Rue Taur, cellent Sulpician, his superior. A lay dress and knocking at the door, gave to the old wobrought by the tailor the night before replaced man who admitted him a letter which Julio had the black soutane, which he had worn for the confided to his care that morning. last three years. The woman was no other than Madeiette. "Ah! old Roman toga," said he, depositing She recognized perfectly in his lay dress the the long tunic at the bottom of his luggage trunk; young ecclesiastic she had seen at La Claviere; " thou art fallen from the shoulders of the proud and crossing herself almost as though the Evil conquerors of the world to those of the humble One had appeared to her, banged the door, and, Apostles of Christ! To-day, in the eyes of the walking more rapidly than she had done for masses, thou art only a mark of pride, of tramp- twenty years, dashed into the drawing-room, ling on the great interests of humanity, of tyran- where the aunt and niece were sitting. THE YOUNG PRIEST. 21 "Holy Virgin!" she exclaimed, "whom than the sober, calm epistle of a brother to a have I just seen?" sister. "Who, Madelette?" said Louise. "What can he have to write to me just now, "Yes, who?" echoed Madame de la Claviere. when he ought to be absorbed in his seclusion? "Ah, Madame, the young gentleman who My pretty letter, what have you got to tell me?" was to have been a priest, but who wears his And she proceeded to get her question answered. soutane no longer." " What young gentleman?" "MY DEAR LOUISE,-You will be astonished "The one that was at La Claviere last holi- at hearing from me to-day. You know I am in days with M. Julio." the very midst of my preparatory retreat, and our "Well, and what is there wonderful in that?" rules strictly prohibit any communication with said Louise. the outside world during those days of retire"He gave me this for Miss Louise," said ment and contemplation which precede our conMadelette, addressing Madame de la Claviere. secration to the priesthood. She recognized the writing of Julio, and hand- " If you ask me why I violate this rule, I aned the letter to her niece, who requested permis- swer I am violating the letter of it, not the spirsion to retire, for the purpose of reading and an- it. It will do me good to open my heart to you. swering it. After having laid my inmost thoughts before you, Louise was at that time in the height of her and thus relieved myself of some of my overflowbeauty. Like the majority of southern women ing feelings and yearnings of every kind, I shall she lhad large features; but then her exquisitely be more composed, and achieve more bravely my delicate skin, a slight pallor in her face, those final dedication. Every thing here pains me. liquid eyes of hers, indicating the presence The special studies of this period are arranged within of the purest and most guileless of spir- with such want of perception. The tendency to its, all combined to soften her somewhat large mysticism which is enervating our modern priesttype of countenance, and to invest her with ten- hood is so ubiquitous. The genius of the Middle derness, without detracting from her stateliness Ages, with its sensuous forms, its frivolous arand majesty. Julio, who was a bit of an artist, rangemcnts, protrudes itself so pertinaciously, used often to tell her, in his simple admiration, and enslaves the spirit so unendurably, that one that she was like the Venus d'Arles: and she pities the misguided men who think to do wonwould put her hand on his mouth, and bid him ders by cooping up the rising race of priests in hold his tongue, and scold him as an inconsist- these sacerdotal swaddling-clothes, to the utter ent priest, for trying to make his sister vain. paralyzing of all moral, mental, or spiritual enHis admiration for Louise had tightened the ergy. bond which had united them from the cradle. "The Sulpicians, at our head, are gentle and He had a spirit of most yearning affection, and amiable in the extreme, but, children of the sevhis whole heart was set upon his sister. That enteenth century that they are, they are yet held holy affection, he argued with himself, would be tight by the monstrous system which trains the his safeguard through his coming priestly life. young candidate for the altar with the impresAnd Louise, for her part, gloried in her broth- sion that he is to pass from under episcopal hands er. What a scrupulous conscience forbade her to his place on a column, like another St. Simon setting down to her own credit she attributed to Stylites, and to have no more contact with terra his lofty and dignified character, so richly en- firma than had that exemplary person. dowed with intelligence and love. She loved "Would you believe that in this week, in herself in him, as she saw his superiority to oth- which (one would imagine) our instructors ought er men. Her attachment and admiration went to set before us the vast scope of the ministerial hand in hand; to her, Julio's magnificent brow office; or, as experienced pilots indicate to those was positively glorified. just entering on perilous and distant voyages, But Louise was a woman after all; and it all the shoals and quick-sands which might imwas hardly to be expected that this bond, cher- peril our onward course in a life whose expectaished though it might be by herself, and all-suf- tions, if we are true to them, and whose very ficing to one in Julio's position, could thorough- privileges, if we avail ourselves of them, expose ly satisfy her woman's nature. Marvelously us to so many dangers, and lay us open to such gifted, a voice from within told her that hers humiliating experiences-I ask you, Louise, was another destiny than the cloister life, even would you believe that, at such a crisis in our though her brother, the darling of her earliest histories, we are called upon to listen twice a affection, were at her side. So her heart beat day to prosy harangues which we have heard a as she opened her letter. A letter is always a hundred times over, on death, judgment, hell, mystery, and earnest and excitable characters and other kindred topics? love to break the secret of its silence, as they "Of course we listen respectfully, but with would that of some reserved incognito. unutterable impatience; needing, as we do on Julio's, written on a large piece of paper, in the eve of entering upon that calling which will lines across the page, and that sprawling hand throw us into the very midst of a new sphere of so common to impulsive gentlemen, resembled realities and new associations, teaching adapted more one of those flying sheets on which sudden to practical life, and tending to qualify us for the thoughts or overpowering feelings are flung exemplary discharge of so illustrious a mission. 22 UNDER THE BAN.' I confess I am ashamed of the body to which after her-words which have reached me from I now belong; and had I not the simple faith a thoroughly reliable source-convince me that you know to be in me, I should be racked with the work of spoliation is pretty well advanced. misgivings, and threatened with bitter regret "I must confess I have no thought of outthat I ever took the path I have chosen. Nor witting this precious trustee-he would be too am I to blame for this. Why will these good many for me. Nor have I the faintest idea of men persist in such an ill-judged course? Why playing their own game with our Jesuit friends. will those who are in all other respects amiable But this I swear by all that we hold most sacred, and well-informed put up with this unnatural if they succeed, I will expose them; I will make divorce from the time in which they live-its re- them pay dear for their robbery of two orphans, quirements, its passionate demands for progress- one of whom they tried in vain to enroll in their ive enlightenment? It must be because they un- body, and the other in the society of the Sacred derstand nothing whatever of the condition of Cceur. things around them. "For exemplary and devoted though you are, "But enough of this: what has it to do with dear Louise, you are not cut out for the sisterthe present moment? Such fallacies, with oth- hood. Father Briffard, cunning though he is ers which I regret, in no way detract from my reported to be, will waste his Latin upon you, I respect for those whose intentions are thoroughly am confident, should he endeavor to persuade upright, and who happily are better qualified to you otherwise. teach by example than by precept. "In the event, then, of our dear aunt being "And now, Louise, what shall I write to you? taken from us, are you willing to be my good I am on the confines of two worlds. I am leav- and gentle angel in my humble mountain home? ing behind me the delights of youth, and bidding I acknowledge how bitterly my heart will have adieu at the same time to those perilous delu- deceived me, if this sweet prospect prove but an sions with which my clerical studies have too empty dream, and the great-souled friend that I long surrounded me. I am plunging at once have ever expected to find in you, were to prove out of this quiet, contemplative career, into all after all but an ordinary woman, preferring an the busy practical realities of the world. For empty idle life to that noble heart-alliance which this I have had no training beyond my own pri- I have long since marked out foryou. But God vate reflections since the holidays, when I had will spare me such a blow, which would crush a short peep into the world so called, and that out all the happiness of my life. Were that salutary instinct which is the safeguard of the day ever to come, I should be driven in sheer upright, and enables them to anticipate what despair to deem those men wise who have remay lie before them. coiled from the distasteful solitude of the priest"Little enough this, you will say; and yet it hood, and its mournful forfeiture of the hallowed is all I possess to qualify me for the active call- joys of family ties. ing on which I am about to enter. But I spoke "Farewell, dear Louise. Saturday. is the hastily-there is still another power, another aid great day. You know well whose name will be which God has given me ere leading me to the first on my lips at the altar, in prayer to God experience of real life. that it may be remembered before Him. You "My first trial after my ordination will last, know how heartily and how earnestly I shall in all probability, but a few months. I shall pray for the sister I so fondly love. have a curacy in a little town, at St. Gaudens, "JULIO. at Mauret, or possibly at T; and after that, some humble charge in one of the remotest val- " P. S.-I forgot to tell you that this letter leys of the Pyrenees will be vacated; the indif- will be left at our aunt's by my friend Verdelon ferent eye of the vicar-general will run over the -the young ecclesiastic who spent a few days list of available curates, and I shall be appoint- recently at La Claviere. He leaves us to-day. ed. This is what I expect; and then will you His is a noble spirit: he might have prospered venture to join me, dear Louise? Do you love in the ministry, but he returns to the world, to me enough to spend in such a place the fairest my great regret, under a feeling of dissatisfacyears of your life, in company with God and na- tion and insufficiency. ture, and that hallowed brotherly love the high- "What a boding future does all this portend est and the mightiest type of friendship? for Catholicism! Iow many souls are bruised! " Our poor aunt is in a very precarious state. How many faithful spirits will, ere long, be holdThe first shock she might sustain would be ing back from the pastor's office; while selfish enough to bring on an affection of the brain natures, craving only the slender provision earned which might prove fatal; so let me be thorough- more easily than in the path of toil, are pressly frank with you in reference to our prospects. ing into the sanctuary! Fully prepared for "I fancy the Jesuits have got hold of her; three years of irksome seclusion, they will emerge and we shall be lucky if these men have enough from it with a lofty air-a garb bespeaking some honesty left to allow us a small annuity sufficient measure of reverence, and the certainty of mainto keep us from want. I warned you of this be- tenance for the future. Then come the ambifore, in a joking way, being anxious not to alarm tious, with the gold ring and episcopal robe you too much. Since then, a few words that fell glittering in the distance-a class to be found from M. Tournichon, the Cerberus who looks still in the Church, as much as in the world, THE YOUNG PRIEST. 23 who would sell alike their conscience and their I time, an imposing structure would be erected God for the miserable consideration of honor by them in the centre of T —, rivaling in size from man. and splendor the Capitol itself, of which the " Unhappy Church! When will she recover citizens were so proud: all these facts cornthat glorious spirit with which she rose, fair as bined had somewhat revived the anxieties of the sun, from the gloom of the Catacombs!" the venerable prelate. Consecrated at the commencement of the reign of Louis Philippe, he Louise had remained standing at the little had been accustomed, like all the Gallican episwindow of her chamber, deciphering her letter copate, to that absolute power communicated by the last flickering beams of daylight. A cold under a despotism. The autocrat hitherto of perspiration gathered on her forehead, the paper every diocese he had administered, unvisited by fell from her hand, and, overpowered and trem- the faintest shadow of opposition, he now found bling from head to foot, she sank down into a himself face to face with the most formidable of low chair behind her. all-that which enchained consciences, secured " Julio, Julio!" she murmured, " I shall break to itself public favor, and, practically asserting your heart!" its own supremacy, left him nothing but the And a long, long silence reigned in the room. burden of office, unless, indeed, he could manage to recover that moral preponderance-the ~ —~-* —- most important element in spiritual power. Ile had just lost one of his vicars-generalCHAPTER VII. the Abbe Jolibert-a man of average private worth, but who had been weak enough to sufTHE CARDINAL ARCHBISHOP.. fer the Jesuits to flatter him into their power. MIS EMINENCE Louis AUGUSTE CIARLES DE This person-on whom the Jesuits had heaped FLAIMMARENS, Cardinal of the Roman Church, the most outrageous eulogiums during his life, by the title of "La Trinite du Mont," Arch- calling him a saint, well knowing that thus bishop of T-, was a fine old man, with a they were securing to themselves a powerful frank, pleasant mien, presenting an agreeable ally at the archiepiscopal board-had been succombination of the gentleman, the prelate, and ceeded at his death by the secretary-general, the man of the world. The aristocracy of an intimate friend of the archbishop's, and who T- did not care much for him, because, un- was at no pains to conceal his indifference to the der the influence of his liberal ideas, he had formidable Order. point-blank refused, on his first arrival in his The new secretary had not yet been named. see, to associate himself with inveterate Legiti- This important office, laying before whoever mists, while, by his intimacy with the Prefect filled it all even the most secret correspondence and the Government officials, he had earned for of the diocese, was much coveted by the junior himself the reputation of a political renegade. priests. Of course the Jesuits had their candiThere were not wanting those, indeed, who date; they would have been only too thankful were bold enough to assert openly in the draw- to get one of their tools appointed. Indeed the ing-rooms of T, that the cardinal had pur- last requiem had not been chanted over the chased his hat by his servility to the Govern- scarcely cold remains of their old protector ere ment. Yet, in spite of this serious ill-will, the Provincial visited the cardinal with all speed good taste and expediency both secured him the to condole with him "on the loss of a man outward manifestations of courtesy and respect: whose equal was not again to be found in such "which is all I ask," he used to say, "from evil times." Being fully well informed, from these worthy gentlemen." semi-official sources, that the secretary-general On coming to T-, he had affected bar- was to succeed to the vacant office, he named, mony with the Jesuits; and though they knew with thorough professional artfulness, the young that he hated them cordially, they were too Abbe Lurson, "a pious and modest priest, of cautious to appear to suspect the fact. Where- distinguished manners, exemplary diligence, fore, they besieged him with a thousand protes- quick perception, and, probably, the only one tations of regard, and reiterated, on convenient of the curates of T — completely qualified for occasions, their confidence in his thorough good- the post in question." will. He, too, for his part, spoke of them of- The cardinal thanked the sly old fox with ficially in terms of warm regard; but his ex- such well-feigned heartiness, and seemed so pressions were mere spurious coin after all. enchanted at the idea that the worthy fathers However, their daily increasing influence in had thus providentially been enabled to light his episcopal city, the complaints of the curates, upon this prince of secretaries just in the nick who, timidly, no doubt for fear of being be- of time, that the Provincial, returning to his trayed, but incessantly declared that the Jesuits quarters with a smile on his face, contrary to were the actual rulers of their parishes, and all the traditions of his Order, was unable to only left to their influence the most insignificant suppress his gratification, and gave free vent to of their flock; added to this their cunning ac- his feelings before five or six present; assuring quisition of fortunes, the pious frauds they erm- them that he had the cardinal under his thumb, ployed in netting the richest offerings of the and that if they had lost M. Jolibert, he felt,faithful, the positive certainty that, in a little certain he would be able to insinuate into his 24 UNDER THE BAN. room a young man warmly devoted to the in- blamable. We have learned, on good authorterests of the Society. ity, that during the recent recess he exhibited That same day the cardinal went to the Sul- a considerable declension from that state of mind picians to hear a report from the superior on which his position required. IIe has been readthe young priests to be ordained the following ing secular books, and even worse; his converSaturday. He had just ascertained, on excel- sations with his sister have been marked by frilent authority, all the particulars of Madame volity; it would, indeed, appear that the unforde la Claviere's legacy to the Jesuits, and also tunate youth has been seized with certain new the name of the pseudo-executor, as well as the and most dangerous opinions, which we need intended robbery of the orphans. Iis honest not specify, calculated to estrange him more indignation was violently aroused, and, apart than ever in spirit fiom his intended office. from a slight unwillingness which he might pos- These are grave charges, Sir, and we should sibly entertain, as bishop, that one of his priests have been culpably remiss, and responsible one should lose a good fortune, and with it that in- day before God, had we failed to inform you of dependence which is always useful in the priest- our misgivings with reference to his ordination, hood, he detected in the whole transaction an which we regret is so very near. additional illustration of those nefarious pro- "Be assured that nothing but our good-will ceedings, already known to him, by which the for the diocese would have urged us to a measJesuits were everlastingly possessing themselves ure always unpleasant, but from which we dare of extensive fortunes. not recoil when conscience and the interests of So when the superior reached Julio's name, our holy religion alike demand it. in running over his list, the cardinal listened "Receive, etc., etc., with marked attention. To all his inquiries as "For the Rev. Father Provincial, to the young man's character and abilities he (Signed) "FOURNIER, S.J." received most favorable replies. "The Abbe Julio, monseigneur, is unques- "Quite so," said the archbishop, laying the tionably one of the most promising candidates letter on the table. "They have robbed him, we have had for many years. Like all young and now they mean to persecute him. I see men, he is a little too enthusiastic and imagina- through them perfectly.-We will keep this doctive, and, on occasions, rather unguarded in his ument," he resumed, taking it up again; "it expressions. But these are defects which will will be useful in exposing their treachery. Nay, disappear as he grows older. At the same time, we will go further, since your recommendations while I state to your eminence our own opinion of this young man are so excellent. We are of him, I must add, in all candor, that we have not disposed to see the Jesuits the bishops of our received a protest against him, on which we diocese. From this day forward we mean to have ourselves already deliberated, but which show them what we think of their protests we shall be thankful to submit to your judg- against our clergy. We name the Abbe Julio ment." de la Claviere our Secretary-General." "Where does it come from? Is it signed?" It is easy to understand the effect of this right "Certainly, your eminence, otherwise we royal speech on men so cautious and timid as should not have condescended to look at it. It the Sulpicians. All bent low before the intiis signed by a Jesuit father." mation of the master's pleasure. However "What are they meddling with now?" ex- young and inexperienced, in their judgment, claimed the archbishop, angrily. "They will Julio was for the vacant post, they saw prewant to ordain next! It's the only thing they eminently in his appointment a decided slap at don't do in T." the Jesuits, and this pleased them. The council exchanged glances, and a furtive The cardinal's carriage was waiting at the smile stoleover their lips, though not a word es- principal entrance of the seminary. The supecaped them, while he added, rior escorted him into the street. As they part"Show me the letter; I'll settle it." And he ed the archbishop said, read it aloud as follows: "Tell the young abbe that he will enter on his duties at the palace next Monday." "; T —-, 0oth September, 1S56. Two hours after this occurrence, in which the "M. SUPERINTENDENT, MY WORTHIY BROTH- cardinal archbishop had shown so much spirit, ER,-I am aware that you will have an ordina- the Jesuits received from their spies a full action in a few days, and that one of our former count of all that had passed at the seminary. pupils, the Abbe de la Claviere, will offer him- His last words to the superior in the street had self, as we learn, for the priesthood. We hesi- been overheard. Clearly he had deceived the tated to communicate to you our own impres- Provincial: as clearly he was about to appoint sions as to the suitableness of this young man, some protdge of the Sulpicians instead of the in whom we have ever taken a lively interest, Abbe Lurson. The question was, Who? and at the commencement of his diaconate; shrink- this they felt must be ascertained at all costs. ing from the heavy responsibility of offering any Now a task which would have puzzled the police impediment whatever at such a period. of T — was a trifle to our friends. They sent "Hence our silence at that time: a silence, without delay to the Seminary an old Dr. Dehowever, for which we now deem ourselves teilh, a physician without practice, who, for a THE YOUNG PRIEST. 25 small annual consideration, affected to object to hence Madame de la Maslacq could scarcely rethe Jesuits, and so could not possibly have been fuse to oblige the provincial. suspected of being their most obedient, humble Save our holy religion, marchioness! I enservant. He had managed for some years past treat this of you, if I must, as a personal favor. to worm himself into the confidence of M. Bour- You know how devoted we are to his eminence. nal, an excellent Sulpician, as artless as his Well, these excellent Sulpicians are committing brethran, and had in fact chosen him as his spir- him to a most grievous scandal. They have ab. itual director. solutely succeeded, from a vanity for which I So this old gentleman, gorgeous with a white suppose we must forgive them, in palming off cravat and huge shirt-frill, came with all proper upon the archbishop a young madcap for the penitence to seek religious consolation in the vacant secretaryship, a former pupil of ours, chamber of M. Bournal. In the course of con- whom we know only too well. This young versation lie casually observed that the appoint- idiot will do nothing but make mistakes. We ment of the archbishop's secretary was the one are well aware that he has numbered himself subject in every body's mouth at that moment; with the enemies of our order. Now, at a time and that the Jesuits were furious fiom the con- like the present, you see, Madam, when the inviction that that appointment was the work of the fidel and the revolutionist are joining hands Sulpicians. against us, it is of the utmost importance that "But how could this have got wind in the we should have a powerful ally near his emitown?" asked M. Bournal, playing the part of nence, who, with a certain favorable section of the crow in the fable, " when all that passed on society, is our only support at T-. You can the subject was in confidence between his em- easily conceive how coerced we should be in our inence and ourselves." efforts in the good cause if we had an enemy "Nothing more simply explained, father. near our constant friend the archbishop. But His eminence was overheard in the street nam- I feel assured, Madame la Marquise, that you ing to your superior the new secretary, and fix- can easily prevent this." ing the day on which he was to enter upon his "Possibly so. I agree with you that our duties. I heard the name. It's the Abbe- friend the cardinal is a little hasty; but he is Abbe-bless me, what a thing it is to be getting an excellent man." old! —the Abbe-Abbe-stay, I have it; it's a "Most excellent, most excellent, beyond name, too, easily remembered." doubt. I am entirely of your opinion, kindest " M. Julio de la Claviere?" said the Sulpician. and best protectress. And we ask you-less in " Of course, that's the name, that's the name; our own interests than in those of the cardinalmy memory's going fast." to whisper one word in his ear, warning him And taking up his hat and his long stick he against so irreparable a mistake before it is too made his bow and departed. Gliding rapidly late." down the grand staircase, he lost no time in "I'm not overfond of meddling in business threading the intervening streets, and, reaching matters, my dear father, with which women have the sanctuary of the Provincial, who admitted no concern: moreover, the cardinal has a way him by a secret door, he gasped out in dismay with him of frowning ominously when one atthe fearful name, "the Abbe Julio de la Cla- tempts it. But I will do my best for all that viere!" to prove to you that I am not ungrateful." " Good Heavens!" cried the Provincial, "what "Thanks. It would be as well, I fancy, a hateful choice! why, the man is our bitter en- without appearing to be in possession of any emy! But these soft Sulpicians are always play- special information with regard to this most ining the fool. We must lose no time, I see, if judicious choice of which we have been speakany thing is to be done: my good doctor, excuse ing, to warn his eminence against any possible me, I must go out immediately. A thousand choice of the Sulpicians, who are notorious for thanks for such admirable exertions. Deeds their ignorance of the character and abilities of like yours are recorded in the book of life. the youths intrusted to them; and, at the same They glorify your declining years. Blessings time, to espouse the cause of a very efficient on you! good-by." young man, whom I have already named to the And the father a few moments afterward was cardinal." knocking at the door of the Marchioness de Mas- " Will you be kind enough to write the name lacq, a pious woman much esteemed in T-, of your protdge on this card?" especially by the cardinal, who admired her Certainlv-the Abbe Lurson" (writes). sound sense, and sometimes even listened to "That will do; I will see the cardinal." her advice. The marchioness was no passionate admirerof the Jesuits, but she was under an obligation to them. They had been the means of procur- CHAPTER VIII. ing for her eldest son a splendid alliance, and had thus imported into the comparatively emptyTHE FIRST STRUGGLE WITHIN. treasury of the old house of Maslacq a dowry of WHIEN Louise recovered from the shock she many millions. had sustained on reading Julio's open-hearted The noble-minded are always grateful; and but imprudent letter, she hastened to remove all 26 UNDER TIIE BAN. traces of the emotion she had been unable to orphans; Julio too high-spirited and too uprepress before returning to the drawing-room. right to succeed as a priest; and finally, the But then came a perplexity:-she could not two victims banished to some obscure corner possibly show her aunt an epistle which con- where even the compassion of a friend would tained such sentiments; nor could she by any fail to reach them. Such a prospect, for one possibility refuse it, if she were asked for it, as hitherto so full of life and heedlessness, and in she most certainly would be. Her only resource such profound and peaceful security, was as the was an evasion-perhaps (for the first time in impending sword of calamity-the foretaste of her life) an untruth. She tore the fatal letter terrible woes. Was it so, that in suffering only into a thousand pieces, and flinging them out true grandeur of soul could display itself? of her high bedroom window, watched them Then came the thought of sacrificing herself driven by a brisk wind over the roofs of the utterly-youth, beauty, love, and longings after houses in the Rue du Taur. Having accom- happiness-to the isolated existence of a humble plished this, the young lady marched down stairs. presbyter. The Jesuit confessor might prate in "Aunt," she observed, "Julio sends you vain of mysticism and spirituality to his fair heaps of love. He found time to write to us to penitent; in vain might he throw out to her the assure us that he has not been overworked in his imaginary allurement of the ecstatic life of the retreat. He is wonderfully well, he says, and Sacre-Cmeur-for nature, mightier than the pacongratulates himself on the delight of being ternal eloquence of Father Briffard, had assertsoon with us." ed her superiority over all his arguments. And "Ah!-how nice. Read me the dear boy's at that moment a thousand conflicting thoughts letter, love-he writes so nicely." -disgust at religion; unfathomable yearnings' Oh dear! I'm so sorry, aunt-I went and after all that life demands of living ties; an intore it up and threw it out of the window, that stinctive repugnance for whatever aims at chainI might amuse myself with watching the pieces ing down in obscurity and forgetfulness the whirling round and round, and drifting into the spirit conscious in itself of vehement longings distance with the wind." for joyousness, glory, and freedom —rushed "What a baby you are, Louise! I thought tumultuously into her heart, with the wildness you were too big for that sort of thing." of the waves of the storm-lashed sea! There was no further explanation. Louise Soon, however, like those very same angry was unusually cheerful, more affectionate than billows expiring peacefully on some quiet strand, ever to her aunt, and more gracious to Made- under the opposing hindrance of a few grains of lette; but her heart was bursting. Scarcely sand, which even their might can not removehad the usual hour arrived for leaving her aunt the tossings of heart, aroused so roughly by to her devotions, when she retired to her room these first tempests of her life, subsided into and sought relief in a flood of tears. calm. But it may be asked, why this overwrought "Daughter of feeble faith and proud preexcitement? Simply because woman-inas- sumption, dost thou murmur still? Is God much as she is not her own mistress-inasmuch pledged to give thee continual sunshine? Art as fatal conventionalities, circumstances often thou indignant at the mere thought of sufferthe most trivial, are the sole disposers of her fu- ing? What if calamity overwhelmed thee at a ture, while happiness or misery overtake her so single blow? Whence thy warrart for imaginunexpectedly as to derange plans the most rea- ing that thou alone art privileged to escape missonable and the most prudent-has, in compen- fortune?" sation for all this, been providentially endowed Such was the sudden thought that flashed with marvelous foresight, enabling her to fore- across her. Julio had strongly urged upon his see coming troubles. Is it that this boon has sister's mind what he termed submission to the been accorded to her, subject as she has ever dealings of Providence. "All other devotion been to the rule of the other sex? Is it that perishes," he was wont to say, "but this rethis faculty has been granted to her, as to all mains." And now she dreaded lest she should the weaker ones, that the advent of suffering have blasphemed that tender care that watches may take her less by surpris3, and that she may from heaven the humblest and the weakest. She be the better able to fortify herself against im- recalled those wise and gentle words, that "sufpending peril? We must believe as much, if ficient unto the day is the evil thereof;" that not we are to account for that inequality of inde- a sparrow falls to the ground without the Heavpendence and freedom in which she has ever enly Father's will; and that if the lilies of the been found, even in the most advanced stage of field are so gloriously arrayed the child of God civilization. will never be cast off. Louise had never reflected for a moment that The image of her loving brother, so kind to her fate was linked to that of an aged aunt, and, her, in thus giving her a proof of his devoted atafter that relative's death, to the destiny of a tachment, in the picture he had sketched of brother who was on the eve of entering the their united life when she was to behis comfort trammels of the priesthood. By a species of in the midst of his solitude, was potent enough second-sight, all her future unfolded itself now to alleviate the exceeding bitterness of her preas an anticipated history. Her aunt dying of vious apprehensions. old age; the Jesuits shamelessly plundering the "After all," she said, "Julio is no tyrant. THE YOUNG PRIEST. 27'le cares for me too much to restrain my free- which penetrated the soul with an influence dom. Poor fellow, he thinks that there is no never afterward to be forgotten. other happiness in the world than the love of His noble mien, his pure and lofty brow, his brothers and sisters; and this is what he offers frank, open eyes, his mouth large, it was true, me! Ah, will the day ever come when I may but with lips refined and exquisitely chiseled, have bitterly to regret that I ventured to cherish his decided chin, so indicative of firm resolve, a less Platonic attachment? Meanwhile, these completed in her recollection the portrait of a Jesuits want to rob us. Is it possible that they youth who, by one of those whimsical reactions can contemplate such wickedness? Surely not! in the mind of a pious damsel, had, at that moand yet, will they?......That would explain Fa- ment, in her eyes, the merit of not being overther Briffard's strange persistence in urging me attached to the Jesuits, and of having had the to enter the Sacrd-Cceur. I should bring the courage to brave the resentment which, from a worthy fathers a noble dowry! Gracious Heav- certain section of the world, overtakes those who en! what a trial for my faith! These men presume, in current phraseology, "to fling their preach at us, argue with us, all with a view of gown to the nettles." working intrigues and grasping fortunes. What And so Louise arrived at the decidel concluhorrible contradictions! I am lost in thinking sion, by these hurried musings which had occuof them. pied her thoughts in involuntary succession, and "Now, I remember my outbursts last recess. graven themselves indelibly there-that, should Verdelon, Julio's friend, attacked most violent- she chance ever to meet M. Auguste Verdelon ly these very men-his old masters. I thought in society, she would by no means regard him him ungrateful at the time. What if he were with indifference. right? In the midst of this whirl of feelings and ap"But is there no way of warning my simple- prehensions she was overtaken by the conviction minded aunt against these plots? Clearly old that she was getting very sleepy. Kneeling down Tournichon is their instrument. The report is for her evening devotions, she found that her that he is a Jesuit. I don't exactly understand imagination and her excitable faculties had been what is meant by that; but it is enough to jus- so strongly aroused that it required all the selftify my thwarting him. He is my aunt's friend, control she possessed to repeat her simple Pater. and constantly spends his evenings with her." The rest of her prayers, to her unspeakable sorSo soliloquized Louise. The remembrance row and shame, fell only from her lips. Spite of Verdelon had crossed her mind-it returned of herself, her thoughts were far away. Unagain. She sought to account for the motives doubtedly she was more disturbed than she had which had led him to abandon the priesthood. ever been in her life. It may be questioned, The more so, because she knew him to be grave, however, whether, a few days afterward, she reserved, unaffected, and entirely fiee from that was very circumstantial in her confessions on frivolity which too frequently characterizes young this head to Father Briffard. men of the world. She asked herself, moreover, Her last thoughts were given to the Jesuits; how it had happened, that, after spending so many and the fear she felt lest she should see her years in the seminary, he had bid adieu, at the aunt, her brother, and herself, a prey to their last moment, to a career for which, in her pres- greed. cnce, he had professed so strong a liking. The last image which haunted her pillow, Then she remembered many a discussion with strange entrancing sweetness, as she sank which she had heard between him and Julib. into that dreamy state in which the soul is no Grieved as she had been at the time by his ill- longer mistress of the will, and renders little concealed hostility to the Jesuits, she had been account of what it thinks, or what it loves-was struck by his great intelligence, the richness of Verdelon! his language, the extensive knowledge which he Let us leave her sleeping in her lovelinesshad acquired on so many subjects by dint of now troubled by the phantoms of the enemies hard study. of her house, now gladdened with holy visions And his nature was so truthful. Iis entire of earliest love-and return again to the apartcharacter evinced such an utter repugnance to ment, full of sombre relics of the Middle Ages, whatever was hypocritical or bigoted. He spoke, where the Seven hold their councils. too, of the poor, the insignificant, the weak, of The subject discussed is the alarming act of the children of toil and grief, with such a warm the archbishop. The debate is no longer calm. affection, that it was difficult, after admiring the No calculation now of what will accrue from rarity of his mind, to refrain from loving the orphan plunder. Nothing but one outburst of generosity of his heart. the deadliest spleen. All these impressions, received many months "If the cardinal is obstinate we shall have to back, and which had gradually disappeared from hold our tongues," said the Provincial. her mind, returned at this crisis with a vigor General indignation, in the midst of which a at which she herself was surprised. She went little note is brought by a livery servant, and so far as to admit that his name, Auguste, was put into the hands of the Provincial. It runs at once noble and charming; that his voice, as follows: too, was very agreeable and full of tenderness. There were notes in that voice, she thought, "I am defeated, very reverend father, and 28 UNDER THIE BAN. authorize you to erase from your dictionary the frequent parades. He was fond of show. In proverb,'What woman wills, God wills.' I have contrast to his venerable predecessor-a man so made a great effort to give you a solid proof of humble in his tastes and ways that he used to my deep gratitude, but I have been compelled pass through the streets of T- without being to bow to the unalterable decision of his emi- recognized, and considered his carriage as a disnence. However, your protege will receive, at grace to the successor of the Tiberias fishermen my request, a very advantageous appointment; -this prelate had a brilliant equipage. His so I rejoice in this concession, small as it is. lackeys were bedizened with gold. He talked You see the cardinal is not so very ill-natured of horses like any other gentleman, and had a after all. capital stud. With all his shrewdness he had "Remember me often in your prayers, for failed to discover that he did not add to the digmy good intentions; and be assured, reverend nity of his position by flattering the prefect and father, of the profound respect of your most de- chief of the judges. So true it is that there are voted, ELEONORE DE IMASLACQ." men who have not the tact to know how to condescend. "We can look after our protdeg ourselves," And yet, on the other hand, his disposition said the Provincial; " it is our enemies we care was thoroughly good. Living, as he did, in the about." midst of outward show, of hollow courtesies in"That scape-grace," said Father Fournier, cessantly repeated, he still loved truth, was a < will be eternally committing himself. Let us man of unimpeachable character, and, though bide our time. Happily, the cardinal is not im- men abused him every day, had never had cause mortal; our Order is." to reproach himself in a single instance with "This is my advice," chimed in Father Brif- sullying the honor and sanctity of the episcofard. "Youth is self-sufficient and fond of flat- pate. tery. We may be able to win over this secre- It has been already observed that he was no tary-general. He would suspect me, if his sis- fiiend of the Jesuits, though the reason has not ter, whose confessor I am, has imprudently con- been stated.. The truth was, he had detected fided in him. But let us commission another them in a series of intrigues, which had roused of our body to see him frequently, with the view the resentment of his loyal spirit. We may of gaining him to our side. We have this hold further add, that the excellent prelate (as the upon his recollection, that he is one of our pu- Marquise de Maslacq called him) had his spies pils. We might dazzle his eyes with the pros- as well as they; and had thus learned that the pect of a distinguished future, thanks to the pat- worthy fathers were in the habit of chuckling ronage at our disposal in Rome and Paris. Let over his intimacy with the marchioness-a lady him be reminded of the favor which we at pres- whose age and wide-established character placed ent enjoy at Court." her beyond suspicion. "Perhaps it would be as well," observed an- "A set of miserable fellows," he would say. other, "to pay him the compliment of being His predecessors had been in the habit of present at his ordination." holding ordinations four times a year, in the "A good idea," said the Provincial. "I will chapel of the Seminary, and hence in the presgo with ten others. We shall be observed, and ence only of a private circle and with closed doors. he will be gratified with the kind attention." The cardinal introduced the custom of solem" You will never win the young man over by nizing them, in great state, in the cathedral of any soft sawder," said Father Papillon, Julio's St. Stephen's. previous instructor in rhetoric. "I know him That huge building was, by its awkward arwell: he is amiable, but very determined in his rangement, the worry of his life. The nave, convictions, and will prove a formidable adver- Roman in style, and the pointed Gothic choir, sary. Watch him incessantly, and be ready to were not in the same straight line; and hence, avail yourselves of the least imprudence on his what was going on in the latter could not be part." seen from the former, and was only heard amidst " Of course," said the Provincial. " That is the sounds of chants and bells. Otherwise, the our invariable plan. And do you, Father Cour- structure was one of the noblest in France, in tois, who are charged with obtaining reports, architectural beauty and the richness of its cloisenjoin upon your agents the most rigid scrutiny; ter and stalls. To be enthroned in solitary not a deed, not a word of his should escape our grandeur in the choir, the admiration only of a knowledge." few old canons and small singing-boys, shut out, And the council, fresh from the maturing of meanwhile, from the gaze of the brilliant socieplans of vengeance and ruin, finished with a ty of T-, who on every such occasion were prayer! accommodated in the nave, was gall and worm+ --- _ ---- wood to the heart of this worthy man. Had he dared, he would have played the pontiff, on CHAPTER IX. Easter Sunday, in the great square of St. Stephen's. THE ORDI N ATION. The ordinations were his supreme delight.'HAD the Cardinal de Flamrarens been corn- He invested his part of the solemnity with a mander of the troops he would have ordered paternal dignity, and with all the warmth of his THE YOUNG PRIEST. 29 disposition he appeared to exult in that episco- ed by Louise, left the church and returned pal function. home. Julio's ordination took place, according to Seated side by side with some other relatives custom, on a Saturday. The crowd of sight- of the candidates, near the railings of the choir, seers was unusually large. Every small occur- they had been able to witness the entire cererence is an event in a provincial town; and mony. The imposing ritual had deeply imthere was a general desire to witness a ceremony pressed them, and they communicated their feelin which the new archiepiscopal secretary was ings to each other on seeing their beloved Julio to be set apart for the priesthood. consecrated to his office. Probably they were The service had not commenced when the the only persons in T- who had been ignoProvincial and ten other fathers arrived to do rant of his rapid promotion. The famous Tourhonor to their old pupil, and took their seats, nichon had not been near them for two days. with well-affected humility, in the lowest stalls Now that he had the will in his possession he of the choir. It was the first appearance of the deemed it no longer necessary to be as attentive Jesuits on such an occasion. as before. All that the cunning Jesuit had inWhile the cardinal, seated on his throne to tended to do was to cherish the old lady's rethe right of the choir, was being arrayed, ac- solve on that head, and to secure it as far as cording to custom, in his pontifical vestments, possible by the aid of those terrors of conscience he said, in an under-tone to the vicar-general, which he aroused. His business had been to who was robing him: urge Madame de la Claviire to save the soul " Look!'Apparent Jesuitre nantes in gurgite of her husband by a pious restitution of the propvasto."' erty he had left. A suppressed smile was the only answer. But there was another person present at the The ceremony was solemn and imposing. ordination. Verdelon, carried away by one of Julio attracted universal notice from his mod- those ideas which, banished a thousand times, est and distinguished air. return as often to the mind, had determined to As soon as the prelate had pronounced his witness the solemnity. Yet what brought him customary benediction and retired to the sac- there? He had witnessed so repeatedly those risty, the clergy assembled, as usual, to render ceremonies which no longer appealed to his feeltheir reverent homage. The newly-ordained ings or his heart, unless by recalling, in certain priests were presented by the superior of the formularies which had lost their significance, Sulpicians, and received each a cordial salute. the ancient grandeur of the priesthood, elected "This is M. l'Abbe Julio de la Claviire, once by the clergy and congregation present, your eminence," said the Sulpician, presenting who were questioned within the church itself, Julio. as to the candidates offering themselves at the The cardinal regarded the young priest with threshold of the sanctuary. evident affection, embraced him, and, taking When Verdelon entered the building through his hand with easy friendliness, said: one of the side doors in the Gothic portion of " You will dine at the palace to-night." the edifice, all the places round the choir had At the same moment the Provincial ap- been taken, so that it was impossible for him to preached. "Monseigneur," he remarked, "we go forward. Crowded up behind the door, and are much gratified at having been present to- doomed to hear only organ and choristers-unday at the ordination of one of our best and able to see either his friend or the La Claviere most esteemed pupils. There is no need to ladies, whom he had often thought of since his recommend him to your eminence. We can conversation with Julio, and his taking the letonly add our testimony to that of the excellent ter to Louise-he remembered that at T-, heads of the seminary, in the hope that he will as every where in the South, money removes all reflect as much credit on them as he did on obstacles. Slipping a franc into the hand of us." the Swiss, who was with difficulty keeping back And he saluted the new secretary with a the throng, he said in a low voice, beaming smile. "Let me up into the top galleries of the " The hypocrite!" muttered the cardinal. choir." Julio received the greeting and acknowledged The verger nodded significantly, and said, the Judas kiss with all the simple trust of his "Follow me, Sir." And then, as though he young heart. There are acts of baseness which were escorting an official-" Make way there, upright natures are incapable of suspecting. if you please"-he quickly conducted him to a For the moment, indeed, he blamed himself in- roughly built, dark spiral staircase, which led wardly for suspecting the men who had just paid to the galleries: the old door closed behind. him such a marked compliment. But his new Viewed from the top of the triforium-the position was soon to bring him in contact with archaeological term for the galleries round the a world in which youthful artlessness rapidly choir in great cathedrals-the scene below was disappears. In two days he was to enter upon so impressive that Verdelon himself, just eshis duties as archiepiscopal secretary. caped from all his day-dreams on the poetry of During this scene, which would not have Catholic splendor, felt an involuntary sensation been out of place in the Lettres Provinciales, or of awe. in Tartffe, Madame de la Claviere, support- By a singular chance no one else had asked 30 UNDER THE BAN. to be admitted there; so that, being quite alone, For there had dawned on him the first day. and commanding an entire view of the choir, of the lover's anguish, in which the bitter and altar, and throne, he was at liberty to choose the sweet are alternate masters. his seat, and indulge to the full the gloomy "Louise and her aunt," he murmured, "will satisfaction of witnessing, in their most sumptu- be sure to go and see Julio in the seminary parous guise, the priestly solemnities in which he lor." was never to take part. So he betook himself to the Rue du Taur, His first glance was directed to Julio. wandering up and down like a spy or a crimin"Ah! he will make an excellent priest; I'm al, and watching every one who entered the sure of that," he said to himself. "How glad seminary from twelve to two, but without seeI am I did not follow his example!" ing Louise among them. And at that moment his attention was irre- "I suspect they will have given Julio leave," sistibly drawn to a lady who seemed to him of he said, "to visit his aunt at once-contrary to exquisite beauty and most distinguished mien, the usual rule, which only allows the candidates seated behind the railing just in fiont of him. leave of absence the day after their ordination." "It's Mademoiselle de la Clavirec!" Then it struck him that he might call on And the man-calm as he usually was, and Madame de la Claviire and inquire after his thoroughly self-contained-was arrested at the friend; only at such a moment his visit would sight. Leaning on the carved stone rail which be undesirable. His presence would be a readorned the triforium, he remained immovable, straint upon the old lady and the two people as though under some magnetic influence: who, at that time, constituted, in his eyes, the "A pretty thing for me to trouble myself entire human race. about this Medieval ceremony!" said he. "Here The best thing he could do was to go back to is a psychological study for me which will not his retirement-more irksome to him now than prove unpleasant. Thoroughly concealed my- the two whole years he had spent in the seminself, I can follow, in the features of that lovely ary. However, he consoled himself with goldand dignified girl, all the impressions produced en dreams and schemes of future bliss. Ile in her soul by watching the brother she loves." would resume, in right earnest, the next day, Evidently the study was attractive, though those studies which he had abandoned when he the watcher never suspected that it was danger- first became an ecclesiastic. But a few months ous. Accustomed once to see, even in the most remained before he would have to undergo hts beautiful women, nothing more than marvelous licentiate's examination. He would work with sculpture wrought by a divine hand, at the time feverish activity; he would become a brilliant when he had purposed the faithful surrender of advocate; he would acquire wealth and fame himself to a celibate's life, he forgot that his new that he might lay them at the feet of the rich position as a man of the world-his own mas- and beautiful heiress. ter-exposed him to feelings not quite so celes- Ay, dream, children! dream of the glories tial, and might possibly kindle in the depths of of life-of the ineffable bliss of loving hearts! his soul the first spark of those fiery passions to Dream away; it is the prerogative of youth. which every thing is sacrificed that might threat- At all events, you will have enjoyed the deluen to impede their progress. sions which your visions bring. Those who So he fell into the snare which, in his old know of nothing but hard realities can dream sense of security, he had for the moment ig- with you no longer, and are driven, mayhap, nored; and while thus abandoning himself to to envy you your imaginary delights. this charming soul-study, he drank like a child from the cup of the modest Circe, a fatal love, whose first beginnings, unsuspected, probably, till then, had commenced with his pleasant in- CHAPTER X. timacy at La Claviere. timacy at La Claviere...A PRIVATE DINNER-PARTY AT THE PALACE. After imbibing so deeply of the delicious draught as to forget even the consecrated place JULIO, on his return to the seminary after his where this strange love-scene had transpired, ordination, had asked permission from the supetill the long file of priests wound up by the rior to visit his aunt without delay. officiating cardinal in his glittering robes had "The rule is against you," said the good old disappeared behind the pillars at the sides of man; "however, you are independent of us the choir, and all that was left of the solemnity now, since the archbishop has attached you to was the smoke of the incense and the noise of his person; you may go. May all happiness the retiring throng, he awoke from his ecstasy attend you, my son," he added; "you have delike an enthusiastic artist who had forgotten the served your promotion by your real worth. But flight of time in the presence of the Venus de remember, yours is a very high position, and Milo. Descending the staircase as if he had will have procured you jealous and dangerous been intoxicated, and scarcely able to guide his enemies. You will require more than ordinary steps, he saw one being only in the world around vigilance to detect the snares they will spread him, to whom he felt that his whole soul had for you, and resist the secret attacks of their been united by an indissoluble and invisible malice. Let your truest friends advise you. bond. We are really attached to you; and though we THE YOUNG PRIEST. 31 are not so vain as to credit ourselves with being experience that the least acts of the great are the prime cause of your advancement, we rejoice, watched, and their simplest words repeated, and for all that, in the consciousness of having con- having no fancy to be forever playing the priest, tributed to it. Your pleasant frankness, so he used only to invite his distinguished clergyprecious in itself, will injure you seriously if canons, upper rectors, and others-to state banyou do not guard it very strictly. I know your quets served with ceremony. life will be blameless; but your words, Julio, Mademoiselle de Flammarens was a humpwill be overheard, discussed, repeated. It is in backed old maid, of a genial temperament, who that way that your enemies will seek to corn- ruled the Abbe Gaguel, who in his turn ruled pass your ruin." the cardinal. To displease Mademfoiselle de "But who may these enemies be?" asked Flammarens, in a single instance, was to disJulio. please Gaguel, and that was fatal, inasmuch as "Surely, my son, you must know that it is he was the real bishop. The cardinal, whether not our custom to reveal any thing that comes in blind trust or from mere indifference, never to our ears. You, who are about to take office interfered with his decisions. yourself, must be conscious at starting that your On Julio's presenting himself at the palace, honor requires you to maintain in all matters a at the appointed hour, the valet conducted him confidential silence. At the same time, if you to the archbishop's private study, where he was make careful note of what is passing around received with fatherly kindness. you, you will readily apprehend many things "My dear abbe, you have not been personalwhich charity and caution on our part alike for- ly known to me hitherto, but you are heartily bid our communicating." welcome. You come to me with the best of all Julio was about to take his leave, when the recommendations, for you have been sent by superior, as though visited by some compunction that gracious Providence that orders the affairs for his own reserve, detained him for a moment. alike of cardinals and of the humblest of men. "'Stay, my son! you are so upright and so Understand that henceforth we are on terms of good that it may possibly be long ere you dis- intimacy. We are going to dinner now: you cover these snares. I would not say exactly will meet my sister, M. Gaguel, whom you know, that the Jesuits are your enemies; but be on and the Marchioness de Maslacq, my sister's old your guard." friend. At my table I am neither cardinal nor'" A thousand thanks, father; I understand." archbishop. I throw off all restraint as thorAnd so they parted. oughly as a charcoal-burner in his pit. Pray The superior's last word#, which required no be equally at home, and look upon yourself as comment, were a new light to Julio. one of the family." "Just so; the Jesuits will be my enemies. Julio was too much overcome by this affecI'm certain of that; and I stand alone, while tionate address to be able to speak, but he took they are a powerful body." the cardinal's hand and kissed it reverently. Full of this thought, he reached the house The cloth was laid in a small dining-room, where his childhood had been so happily spent at some distance from the cardinal's private with his dear sister. A moment afterward he apartments. One servant only, who was thorwas in the embrace of his aunt and Louise. oughly reliable, was in attendance. The cardiThe tidings of the cardinal's favor filled them nal presented Julio to his sister and Madame de with joy. Madame de la Claviere consoled her- Maslacq. IIe had never been in better appetite self with the thought that her talented Julio or higher spirits. He even joked with Mademight look for rapid advancement, and would moiselle de Flammarens. not miss the fortune she was surrendering to the " You remember the day when you first inJesuits. To Louise only one fact was present, troduced M. Gaguel to me?" that it would be a long time before she would "Yes, monseigneur." be called upon to bury herself in some retired "You were in luck then. Oh, ye ladies, curacy. what capital patronesses you are!" The archiepiscopal dinner was thoroughly se- "That doesn't apply in my case, monseilect. Tie only persons present, besides Julio, gneur," said the marchioness; "you forget how were the cardinal himself; the Abbe Gaguel, unpleasantly you discarded my suit a few days the vicar-general, whom Julio had succeeded as ago." secretary; Mademoiselle de Flammarens, the "Ah, when you were bothering yourself about cardinal's sister; and Madame de Maslacq, her my friends the Jesuits. You espoused a bad intimate friend. cause, and so you lost it. That was your lookIt was a great distinction for Julio to be ad- out. In M. Julio I have secured an honest nitted to this circle; for it was one of the hab- man; had I listened to you, I should have got its of the cardinal to secure, in a figurative sense, a spy in his stead; and this very night, whatplenty of elbow-room; to abandon himself at ever you and I might have said would be talked table, in conformity with the best practical over by those worthy fathers in the Rue de 1'Intreatises on health, to the most thorough cheer- quisition." fulness and unreserve, and hence to admit no "Oh, the naughty man!" said Mademoiselle stranger on such occasions in whose presence he deFlammarens; "shocking for a bishop! What might require continual caution. Knowing by will M. Julio think of you, abusing the Jesuits?" 32 UNDER THE BAN. Now be it understood that this excellent lady "Very much indeed," was the reply. shared to the full her brother's dislike to the "What would you think, then, of these very Order; but whether from natural disposition, men who embraced my poor young friend with or to tease the archbishop and enliven the con- such lavish tenderness, who congratulated themversation, she thought fit to contradict him, and selves so warmly in having had him for a pupil, even to argue the point. who recommended him to me, in case I required Nothing loth, the cardinal rushed on the at- their testimony, when I tell you that they tried tack, for he was never the man to shrink back their utmost to stop his ordination?" from any contest, and, during the repast, car- "Impossible!" exclaimed Madame de Masried on such a brilliant sparring with his mis- lacq. "Some enemies of the Jesuits have mischievous antagonist, that she ended by going represented casual expressions of theirs. Posoff into fits of laughter, after she had provoked itively these worthy fathers are abused so pertihim to some particularly outspoken expression naciously that it is almost enough to drive one of opinion, returning invariably to her favorite over to their side." phrase, " Shocking for a bishop! " " Marchioness, be careful. What if I showed "I could easily prove to M. Julio," said the you a letter instead of words?" archbishop, " that I am not wrong in any thing "Nothing easier," said Mademoiselle de FlamI have said, but thoroughly charitable." marens. "There were those who even forged "Yes, you form hasty opinions, mountains the handwriting of St. Francis de Sales that they high, and call that being charitable. You are might attribute a discreditable letter to his pen." delicate in the terms you use." "I know that; but what if I showed you a " Not quite so hasty as you suppose. If the letter written by the Provincial's own hand, and marchioness will tell you the singular mission laid before me by the Superior of the Sulpicians? she was charged with to me on the part of those Would you go so far as to say that that exemworthy fathers, I will give the sequel." plary priest had forged the handwriting of the "Oh, monseigneur, you're merciless; you Jesuit provincial?" would make me do penance. Don't press me, "By no means, monseigneur." I beseech you, or M. Julio will look upon me as "Very well, ladies; then you shall be satishis enemy; and I call you to witness that at fled." And taking from his pocket a small the time I came to you I was ignorant even of pocket-book which he always carried about with the name of your new secretary." him, he produced the celebrated letter of protest "Exactly: and now, my dear sister, here is against Julio, and handed it gracefully to the what occurred." marchioness. And then, in a few graphic words, he de- "My dear abbe," he continued, "from toscribed minutely his interview with the mar- morrow the entire business of the diocese will chioness, when she urged him to set aside the pass under your eyes; you will have to know Sulpician nominee in favor of the more eligible every thing. Tell these ladies, then-since you, candidate put forward by the Jesuits. too, have been a theological student-whether "Just see, sister, how our friend is in league or no I have calumniated the worthy fathers." with these good people; and now ask M. Julio "I couldn't have believed it!" said the marto describe to you the truly pathetic scene which chioness, in an under-tone. took place after the ordination in the cathedral "Just like you T- people," said the archsacristy." bishop; "you are always rushing into extremes "Excuse me, your eminence; you tell a with your southern excitability. I make no story too well to-" doubt that there are some very tolerable men "No, no; my sister would question my ac- among the Jesuits-virtuous men and learned count. I want her to hear the thing from your professors. In their body, as among the secular mouth; she will never suspect you of exagger- clergy, there start up, here and there, excepating." tional characters realizing the type of a perfect Julio was compelled to obey: so, with per- priest. But have the goodness to explain to me feet simplicity, he related how affectionately the how it is that you exalt the entire body into proProvincial had embraced him in the presence found scholars, first-class speakers, and unparof the cardinal and all the clergy. alleled saints. Surely this is foolish. Now " It is mere policy, monseigneur; nothing here, on the one hand, is an honest youth from more. It is very natural that they should like the seminary, gifted with an easy delivery, a to have about them willing instruments." graceful style, and cultivated memory. I name "You call that conduct policy, do you, him, say, curate of St. Sernin, or la Daurade, mademoiselle? Now it's you who are delicate, and you fine ladies won't deign to go and hear In my dictionary there is another word for it- him. But let the same man, with precisely the hypocrisy." same capacities, come from the chapel of the "Oh, oh! hypocrisy is too strong a term," Inquisition, set up with the title of Reverend replied the little old lady, anxious to draw out Father, and there is an immediate flare up of the cardinal; "you could not prove that." excitement in the town of T -.'What tal"I should have thought the two incidents ent, marchioness!' one will say.'He is a secyou have just heard enough. Do you wish for ond Father Ravignan!-Father Lacordaire is others?" nothing to him!' And that you may all go and THE YOUNG PRIEST. 33 hear him, you'll cram yourselves into a little ears. I take good care not to say it on the chapel and hang delightedly on the periods that housetops, or I should be stoned to death. You would have made you yawn had they come out would see me in a nice position, cardinal though of any one else's mouth. Bah! you're a set of I am, Archbishop of T —, and Senator of the simpletons, all of you!" Empire, if I busied myself with lifting the veil " Thank you for your compliment," said Ma- from these deceits in which we are trained after demoiselle de Flammarens. the manner of the good old days. Marchioness, " Monseigneur is not far from the truth," said I shall be seventy in a few months, all hale and the good marchioness. " So far as I am con- strong though I seem to be. So my time can cerned, I must verily plead guilty." not be very long now, and I would fain die in "But after all, monseigneur" (for the old peace with the Society of St. Ignatius and all lady never addressed her brother in any other the other fraternities of my diocese. But, while way), "whence comes the general impression doing full justice to much private worth among that the Jesuits are so incomparably superior to them, which compels admiration, they would, all the other clergy in knowledge, ability, and in my judgment, be infinitely raised in tone if moral excellences?" they were called upon to face the rude shocks "Merely from the circumstance that they have of life. I know all that can be urged on the had the wisdom to cause this to be stated so oft- other side; and I pray God-for the good of our en, for so long a time, and through so many lips, Catholic faith, I do assure you-that a wiser that now all the world believes it." spirit, a quicker perception of the sublime truths " That's easily said; but if it were not that of our religion, may speedily descend upon the their establishments exhibited, more than any Church, sweeping away old or incompetent inother, the spirit of poverty, separation from the stitutions, and restoring to us true poverty, true world, unqualified obedience, and purity of life, purity of morals, true obedience around the their name would never have been invested with family hearth-that sanctuary where primitive such a halo." Christianity erected the Church, and whence we "It is a mere hasty conclusion of yours that have expelled it, in driving thence to the cloisthe Jesuits are holier and more obedient than ter those pure and trustful spirits which otherthe Carthusians, Benedictines, or Trappists. wise might have hallowed it with the love of Their poverty! why, you're joking. Far be it God." from me to ridicule in your presence that vow "Why, monseigneur, you are becoming quite of poverty, could it be really carried out by the a philosopher in your old age." higher orders of the clergy. But in houses of "Indeed I am, if you call this philosophy; boundless wealth, where food is never lacking, for I acknowledge I have not always thought as where the cellars flow with wine, where, by skill- I do now. Once I was under the influence of ful management, wood, oil, stores of all sorts, those ideas which are most popular with the are laid up for many years; to call the men clergy. I just did as others did, fortunately for poor who, twice a day, as the bell sounds, sit me; for most unquestionably I should never down to a table piled with substantial food, is have been a cardinal had not my ignorance cast simply an abuse of words. The Jesuits, like me into that wide stream, where I spoke and the sisters of the Sacre-Coeur and others, make acted like the rest of us. My dear abbe, these a vow of riches, not of poverty, from the day same thoughts are in young heads as well as they first belong to their various societies." under my white hairs. I know what I'm about. "You shock us, monseigneur," said the little I haven't selected you with my eyes shut. My old lady. little finger told me that your ideas, also, were " I shock you, do I? Now, look here. You in advance of the time. Before these ladies we were not born to-day any more than I was. You may say what we choose. Elsewhere, you must know the misery there is in the world. When be cautious. Otherwise, with all my power, I I see an artisan climbing the steps of the parish couldn't shelter you." church with a young woman on his arm whom he has just married, I say to myself,'Now there's a man who has made a vow of poverty.' And should that same artisan, who is scared by the CHAPTER XI. toil and trouble of housekeeping, who has someTHE ARCHIEPISCOPAL CORRESPONDENCE. times been surrounded in his domestic ties with the worries of a life too often full of fear lest THE painful disclosures of the cardinal-that the morrow's bread should fail-should he take disgraceful protest which aimed at nothing short upon him monastic vows, he pledges himself to of preventing Julio's ordination, the baseness of be rich; for he is well assured that he will never the men who fawned upon him at the moment want again. Need I add more? The fact is, when they found that they had no power to anwe flatter ourselves with lies in our grand old nihilate him-inspired him rather with disgust Catholic Church. And that is the simple rea- than hatred. son why the world cuts us." "We can afford to forgive them," he said to "All this is very undeniable, dear monsei- himself. "Are theynot punished enough by their gneur." hateful system of compassing their end by any "It is indeed, marchioness: but that in your means within their reach? What a life they C 34 UNDER THE BAN. must lead! How they must battle with their known. To that I owe my purple. To be plain conscience before they can persuade themselves with you, I had rather my promotion had conml to promote the prosperity and greatness of their from some good deed, such as God might take order by measures which the commonest hones- knowledge of, or the writing of some important ty would not tolerate in the conduct of private work which might lead posterity to honor me. affairs! See what speculative errors lead to! Four hours a day is enough to accomplish the Take these men, one by one, and you would find day's task, if we keep our papers in proper order. among them real worth, relative excellences, a See, now, let us get to work. All we have to desire to do good, and almost invariably blame- do is to arrange the correspondence, settle the less conduct. Study the social mechanism which replies one after the other, and afterward read unites them, which urges their conduct, promotes the reports from the courts and the prefecture. the development of their society, and guarantees Here is the messenger-open the letters." its influence, and you have a gigantic construe- And Julio began to read. tion, a hateful system of Machiavelism, dismay- "M. Dunel, curate of St. Beat, begs to inform ing you by the terrible machinations which it your eminence of the desire he has had for a sets in motion all over the globe. Itself a sim- long time to join a religious order. He fears he pie society, whose sum total of members barely is doing but little good in the position where exceeds 3000-the question arises, how is it that your eminence has placed him; and thinks it this little flock has attained to such heights of would be more acceptable to God if he entered power? and the simple answer is, because they a monastery." have the unity and zeal of secret associations. "I am constantly getting letters of that kind, The more public opinion attacks them, the more which mean, in plain words,'I am sick of not partial expulsions worry them, the more power being made a vicar; or of having too small a does the persecution bring to them. They are living; and want promotion.' Now for my anlike the Condottieri before the world that pro- swer." scribed them-victory or submission. "His eminence has no power to prevent any "Lamennais used to say,'The opinion which of his clergy from entering a religious order. I have formed of this body is more or less inde- Greatly regretting the loss of his services, he pendent of the character or ability of individual allows M. l'Abb6 Dunel to choose his own path." members. It is founded on the original idea " Out of twenty priests who make this pretty with which the society was started, and with re- little proposition to me every year, there are not suits which that idea has necessarily developed. two that enter the cloister. Their only motive The constitution of the order appears to me to is ambition-nothing more." be vicious in principle, and the order itself to be "The vicar of Luchon writes to you, to tell rather injurious than beneficial to the Church's you of the frivolous conduct of M. Lemant, vicar interests, even after the balance has been fairly of Luzet. This young priest is neither grave struck between the good and evil which enter nor consistent: he is familiar, beyond allbounds, into its economy. There is something in it ut- with the people of his village. Moreover, he has terly unnatural, and at variance with the real taken to rhyming; and has alienated, by his inspirit of Christianity.' This is sentence of death judicious epigrams, the mayor, the schoolmaster, against them. His eminence thinks so, too. and some of his brethren round him." The Sulpicians are afraid of them, and are si- "Reply that his eminence will take the matlent in their presence for fear of exposing them- ter into his consideration; and thank him for his selves to their implacable vengeance. By what obliging information. Then write to the vicar unhappy misfortune am I marked out as one of of St. Mamet, near Luchon, and charge him, in their victims? Of course they want my wretch- the name of his eminence, to institute an inquiry' ed fortune. Let them take it. I have money into the conduct of the vicar of Luzet, and to enough. For that matter I would go and say take all possible care to prevent either the parishto them,'Here, greedy fellows, here's half a ioners or the vicar himself from doubting the million. Don't torment me in my insignifi- confidential mission with which he is intrusted. cance. Spare the two lawful heirs of the prop- I suspect the vicar of Luchon-a worthy man in erty you have coveted.' Ah, I see how it will other respects-has a little exaggerated." be: we shall have a terrible fight; but, after all, "Madame de St. Martory prays your emiI have not begun it..- They are the aggressors. nence to authorize her to obtain some sisters of I have right on my side, and the right is what mercy, to take care of the sick and poor in the God defends. It is a glorious thing to face such large market-town near her chateau." an adversary. So I will be brave and true." "Put that letter aside: we must be civil to At that moment the cardinal called him: it the ladies. They are fond of autographs; so was his usual hour for shutting himself up with I'll answer her myself." his secretary for the dispatch of business. " An application from the vicar of Salies for " I want to put you in train with your daily authority to consecrate an altar." work, my dear abbe," he said. "It is often "Put it into an envelope, and write undertedious-sometimes embarrassing-never very neath,'Fiat ut petitur.'" long or very laborious. Mine is one of the "A letter from the mayor of Rieux, full of largest dioceses in France, and I have the repu- complaints against the vicar, who is in the habit tation of being one of the best business men of denouncing him from the pulpit, with little THE YOUNG PRIEST. 35 attempt at disguise; and has also traduced him parish of S —. Evidence has been received to the schoolmaster and the clergy round." on the subject. A strict inquiry is to be insti"Write to the vicar that his eminence rec- tuted." ommends the greatest caution with the mayor. "Oh, those wretched brothers! always the That possibly that functionary may bear him same story. There are some good lads among some ill-will; that his eminence is not disposed them; but taking them all in all, they are a to enter into the question of their mutual differ- heap of coarse, rough natures. Go on." ences, but that he urgently entreats the vicar to "The Jesuits are bargaining for an extensive make every sacrifice in the interests of peace- site to build a large institution. They are conunless, indeed, he is willing to take another stantly stirring in the town and getting hold of benefice, in which case his eminence will place large sums of money. They work upon the old one at his disposal at the very earliest vacancy. and the soft-headed, persuading them to give Tell him, also, that his eminence ever feels to- them donations. MM. Tournichon, Marquet, ward him the liveliest interest. He is a good and Legros are namedas their agents." priest at the bottom, but rather sensitive and "H'm! I know a great deal more about that mischief-making." matter than the commissary of police." "A letter from Mdlle. Louise Girot, school- "A mendicant friar-who calls himself Gdmistress of Aurignac. She complains bitterly novefin-dressed in a monastic garb, has been of the vicar, who was at first most energetic with brought before the central commissary; on exreference to her school, and most attentive to hibiting his papers they were found to be corherself, but who now slanders her every where, rect, and the permission of his superior was givis trying to rob her of her pupils, and tells ev- en him to beg in all the dioceses. However, it ery body that he will soon drive her out of the was ascertained through the telegraph that no place." one of that name had been so commissioned in' Either she's jealous or he's vindictive; more- the city of Lyons. He has just been arrested, over, I think there is something wrong at the and will be sent back to the Imperial procurator bottom of it. Write to her that his eminence to-morrow." will take her letter into consideration. Write "A new branch of industry. Any thing to the vicar that his eminence wishes for an ex- more?" planation of his conduct to Mdlle. Girot." "No, your eminence." "The vicar of Monteil asks permission to "Very well, my dear abbe; then, saving only leave his parish for three weeks, and to delegate the necessary variety in details, see your daily his duties to the vicar of Fignan, his neighbor, work. A fine ecclesiastical establishment, this during his absence." of ours-isn't it? There have been no heavy "Fiat ut petitur." cases to deliberate about to-day; it is in these I "An inclosure, containing dispensation mon- expect to test your theology. We have queer ey." ones every now and then. And now get on' Enter it in the account-book." with your replies, and come to breakfast with a "The curate of Loubens requests your emi- good appetite." nence to inform him whether he ought to give Christian burial to M. Nadaud, who died with — out the sacraments, and was notorious for his impiety. M. Nadaud never entered the church, CHAPTER XII. was in the habit of abusing priests, and used to J read the Siecle." JUJLIO'S FIRST SERMON. read the Siecle." "Reply that his eminence authorizes the vicar A WEEK had not passed from the time of Juto accord Christian burial to the late M. Nadaud. lio's installation as secretary-general of the archBlockheads, they are always trying to get into bishopric before that promotion was a subject of scrapes!" general criticism among the clergy. "'The vicar of Scaldlens would be most thank- The Jesuits had taken good care to adopt a fil if his eminence would do him the honor of watchword on the occasion, and this watchword, coming to consecrate the new cemetery of the circulated as a countersign from the highest to parish." the humblest abodes, was-" The poor cardinal " Say that his eminence is overwhelmed with is failing evidently-he trusts the secretary's ofbusiness, and will send one of his vicars-general. fice to a boy." Assure him of my warmest regard. I'll spare The elder clergy were of opinion that the him the trouble of entertaining his archbishop." whole affair passed their comprehension; that, "That's the last, your eminence." in point of fact, the juniors were uppermost. " All right; now read the reports." The candidates for this apparently unimport"Here is the one from the courts of justice: ant post, which was almost always the steppingit merely intimates the flight of the vicar of St. stone to a vicar-generalship, and often to a bishFrajou." opric, vowed vengeance on Julio in their disap"We know that already. Now read the one pointment, and predicted his speedy downfall. from the central police." Jealousy is as keen after its rival's disgrace " Constant complaints are being made of one as beasts of prey after carrion. of the brothers connected with the schools in the Of course all this was said in the dark-in 36 UNDER THE BAN. strictly private circles. Openly, and especially "God will assist you: you must begin some before any one belonging to the archbishop or time or other; as well now as on any future his court, all the talk was of the merits, modes- occasion." ty, and distinguished manners of the new secre- He pleaded so earnestly and so well that tary. Julio yielded to his importunity; and influThe archpriest of St. Stephen's-a man of enced, perhaps unconsciously, by that yearning very moderate talents but considerable shrewd- of brilliant intellects to find play on a grand ocness, who had greatly aided the cause of the casion, promised the much-wished-for sermon. Viscount de Baziege at the late elections, as be- "You will have a most feeble extempore ading intimate with ministers and having promised dress; but that's your look-out. I have neihim a bishopric-found occasion, in the appoint- ther inclination nor patience to write sermons; ment of Julio, for flattering the cardinal. Know- so, if I break down, you must not blow me up." ing as he did that the least opposition on his "I positively glory in extempore preaching," part would overthrow his ambitious schemes, it replied the archpriest: and he forthwith invited became a matter to him of the first importance Julio to dine with him the evening of the Sunto gain him over. "If you can get a letter day on which he was to preach. from the archbishop addressed to the minister," Whether the young man favored his audience M. de Baziege had said, "it will materially aid with a series of platitudes or with a magnificent us." So he called at the palace, after the car- oration mattered little to the ambitious ecclesidinal's breakfast, at an hour when experience astic. But Julio, feted, caressed by him, rehad taught him that his eminence, fortified by ceiving an invitation to a state dinner given in his meal, and having made merry with his sister his honor, at which the master of the house and secretary, was in a charming humor, and would assign to him the first place of distinction, perfectly accessible. and shower upon him every possible attention"Your eminence," he said, with his sweetest how could he possibly refuse to speak to the carsmile and lowest obeisance, "I should be sor- dinal on that most important affair, with referry to be the last to congratulate you on your re- ence to which a few lines from the cardinal cent promotion of the Abbe Julio. My excellent would be enough, after the exertions of M. de friend, the superior of the seminary, has spoken Baziege. Every thing looked promising. The of him to me in terms of special esteem. He enthusiastic archpriest, parodying doubtless M. observed what great tact and knowledge of men Prud'homme, said to himself, as he crossed the your eminence has exhibited in this matter. Place de St. ttienne, "This sermon, ah! this His rare qualities and brilliant powers are much sermon; it will be the happiest day of my talked of; indeed, the superior thinks that he life!" will prove a most distinguished preacher. So Full of the idea that his plan was flourishing, I have come to ask-and I trust your eminence and that in winning Julio over he had secured will not refuse-that M. Julio would give us a the coveted letter from the cardinal to the minsermon in the metropolitan cathedral, on the oc- ister, he made all his arrangements with concasion of celebrating the anniversary of the dedi- summate ability. Having issued invitations to cation of the churches." several distinguished barristers and professors of "You're a flatterer," said the archbishop to T-, he secured the services of a well-known himself, when he had listened to the harangue journalist, who was to report the young orator's of the archpriest; "you want to make money discourse, and so publish his fame to the world. out of Julio's advancement. However, Provi- Proceeding to ascertain the names of Julio's dence has a use for fools as well as for other peo- more intimate friends, he could scarcely fail to pie. (Aloud)-Mr. Archpriest, I can't do bet- procure the name of Verdelon, who had just ter than refer you to M. Julio. See him for quitted the priesthood for the bar-a career yourself. I must say, however, that you have which he had previously adopted. Fortunategiven him no easy task-it only wants a fort- ly enough, the archpriest had seen him two or night to the day in question." three times at the house of an old lady, a mutu"These young priests, your eminence, have al friend. Having learned that on a certain day powerful imaginations and retentive memories; Verdelon was to spend the evening there, he conbesides, M. Julio ought to have been ready to trived to meet him, and so arranged matters as preach for a long time." to have a long and intimate conversation with "Quite so. I place him at your service; Julio's friend. settle it between yourselves." The result of this cordial intercourse was that And he bowed him out. the archpriest, after having duly rung the changes Julio responded at first by a flat refusal to on the gamut of Julio's praises, tendered to Verthe adulatory and well-worded request of the delon the following invitation: archpriest. His objections, he said, were pow- "You would do me a great favor if you would erful. He had never mounted the pulpit ex- dine with me next Sunday, to meet M. Julio cept in the presence of his fellow-students; and and a few intimate friends." his only sermons had been those immature es- Verdelon, who had not ventured to call on says of his youth from which it was utterly im- his friend at the palace, deterred by a feeling possible to argue future success. of delicacy and reserve, perhaps a little overThe archpriest urged him still further: wrought, consented most readily. THE YOUNG PRIEST. 37 All possible publicity was given to the fact of tremity of the vast nave of the cathedral. His the forthcoming sermon. The archpriest, with hearers were already fascinated-a fascination a view of stimulating more effectually the gen- which arose from the contrast of his youth with eral curiosity, had told every one, in strictest language which, in three paragraphs of extreme confidence, of course, that M. Julio would preach simplicity, guaranteed for the rest of the disextempore. So the bill of fare which was offer- course the utmost freshness of thought and mared was made enticing in the extreme. The first velous gracefulness of style. Quoting the great sermon of a young priest, the cardinal's favorite name of Bossuet in his support, he established -to be delivered without a manuscript-what that position so rarely taken up in the pulpit, more could be wanted, in a provincial town, to that the cradle of the Church was not to be found invest the occasion with all the interest of a great in that limited arena printed by the feet of the event? Holy One during his life on earth; nor yet in What follows will by many be held to be the gloom of the Catacombs that sheltered the an exaggeration; not, however, by those of our Christians from the terrors of martyrdom; that readers who are conversant with southern hab- the Church was believing humanity itself, from its. From five o'clock in the morning-at which the days of Adam, Abel, Seth. and the patrihour the doors of the old church were thrown archs, who had all been her pontiffs and sacriopen-commenced the struggle in the nave for ficing priests. the most eligible places between the clerical He exhibited her great and mighty, in probench and the pulpit. The more distinguished portion as she had preserved that primitive spirit people sent their servants to mount guard, for of brotherhood and freedom from every species two hours at a time, over these privileged seats, of enslavement, by which she had achieved her and though the sermon was not to be delivered magnificent triumph over the pompous but fruittill vespers, at three P.M., scarcely was the noon- less religions of the ancient world. day service over before carriages from all parts "Church of the Highest!" he exclaimed, of the town were to be seen driving up. Ladies, "that was the day of thy real splendor. Not richly dressed, fought their way into the centre thine was it then to bedizen thyself with perishof the nave; gentlemen, in evening costume, as able glory. Thou didst abandon the gold of the though attending an official ceremony, occupied earth to the statues of Olympian Jove; the marall the unreserved space. And when the cardi- ble chiseled by hands which genius had inspired, nal, preceded by his clergy, took his place in to the Venus of Cyprus; the bronze, wrought the clerical seat to hear the sermon, it became with marvelous skill, to the Parthenon, which necessary to push back, as courteously as possi- pagan Rome had erected in honor of every deity ble, the dense crowd excited to the highest pitch that the poets had created. Thine were no vast of feverish impatience. parades, in company with the great ones of the Soon there was a dead silence and thrilling world; in processions, such as those of the Pansuspense. The young priest, having knelt for a athenea, which Demosthenes rebuked as costing moment in the pulpit, rose. He did not cast more to the Athenian treasury than all the fleets around him that look of lofty patronage affected ever manned for rescue from the might of the sometimes by ordinary preachers; nor did he ambitious Macedonian monarch. No prelates, move to his audience with a consequential air; priests, or deacons of thine (servants of the no, nor even spread out on the ledge of the pul- needy) arrayed themselves then in costly attire, pit a handkerchief of dazzling whiteness, design- rivaling in its magnificence the robes of senaed to remove the forthcoming perspiration of the tors, or royal apparelings of silk and gold. Thou preacher after his most pathetic periods; but didst spurn the splendor of temples erected from having simply asked the episcopal benediction, the quarries of Paros or Pentelicus, and wrought raising his eyes modestly, with a truthful and by the hands of Phidias or Praxiteles. No need dignified look, he commenced his discourse, was there for the wide domains, such as the paAlluding, in his opening sentences, to his ex- gan priesthood had secured; grasping, through treme youth and inexperience, he apologized for the superstitious credulity of the nations, the preaching before his eminence, before a clergy wealth of age after age, that they might revel in so renowned for learning and intelligence, on a indolence and debauch. Thine altar was unsubject which demanded the vigorous thought sullied then, for faith and holiness alone ascendof a man of mature age, and the protracted stud- ed there. All drew near, for all were blameless ies of those who had grown old in the priesthood. and believing. No preaching then the subtleBut the occasion on which he was appointed to ties of extravagant mysticism; the message was, discharge, for the first time, the grand and aw-'Brethren, love one another.' Self-love took ful ministry of the Apostolate decided his theme. the form of self-sacrifice, and self-sacrifice is the Since they were assembled to commemorate imitation of Christ, who died for us; and to imthe anniversary of the consecration of material itate Christ is to secure a better country. This churches, he would speak, he said, of the Church was the message learned, and nothing more. invisible-her glories in the past, her struggles All thy priests were poor, and dispensers to the in the present, her hopes for the future. poor of the Church's common stock. Thy temSo far his voice had been slightly tremulous, pies were those lowly basilicas, of which modern but perfectly clear: at times sweet and sono- Rome still retains some precious traces. Vast rous, and penetrating easily to the remotest ex- halls which served for protection from the sun 38 UNDER THE BAN. and against the cold, but where Christians gath- elusion, "I am but a young man in your presered, themselves the living temples of God, shel- ence, whom God has not intrusted with the tered beneath these sanctuaries of earth, the hal- prophet's gift of unveiling what is yet to be. lowed home of the Christian family. But, like a youthful Daniel, I would venture to'IChurch of the Highest, when I would fain warn the old men and the wise of my people, love thee well; when I would fain forget thy that it should be theirs to think of this coming humiliation and sufferings; when I would fain time, to prepare for it, to anticipate its blessconjure up the ideal, which it should be thine ings. How many hesitating spirits there are yet to realize, at the peril of being hereafter but whom unbelief enslaves, who are wearing out an ancient memory in the history of man-I their energies in fatal skepticism; who could yet gaze at thee as thou wast before the evil days, endure the sorrowful present, had they but the when the fatal glories of earth abated gradually hopes of a less cheerless religious future. thy earliest love, and relaxed thine energy, and "If I have benefited but one candid spirit in enfeebled thy very life. I recall thee in the time this assembly; if I have, in the very faintest before Constantine, the first Christian Casar, degree, lifted the veil from the future, the bethad bestowed on thee with the gift of liberty the ter to exhibit the imperishable Church blooming might of an arm of flesh, by the aid of which, in the midst of a now social world, marching by through the long after-ages, thou hast sought the conqueror's path to a wondrous inheritance, too eagerly a visible sway, while the nations of which our fathers recked not; if I have inthreatened thee with a return to their old super- duced but one poor child of the present, hungerstition, or an espousal of new creeds. Church ing and thirsting after the truth of God, to realof the Highest! behold what thou wast in the ize that the Christian Church-the depository glory of thy golden age. Behold what thou shalt of that faith and love without which there can yet again become in the day when thou shalt be be no life, either for mind or soul-carries with willing to reassert over a worn-out world, which her still all the moral and spiritual destinies of sees nothing in thee now but humiliation and in- the world, I shall leave this pulpit joyfully, difference; that imperishable influence acquired thanking God that I have been permitted, by only in the glorious path of self-denial, devotion, His grace, to kindle in a single mind one feeble and sacrifice. Thou art called upon to climb ray of His eternal truth." again the hill of Calvary, to plunge again into Julio bowed his head; the most reverend carthe gloom of the Catacombs. dinal archbishop gave his blessing with earnest "If not, thou shalt live on, as paganism has solemnity; the congregation, deeply impressed, lived on, denuded of popular veneration, and dispersed in silence. thou shalt die its death of imbecility and age, in the presence of generations who will workout for themselves another faith-were it not for the promise bequeathed thee by thy Divine CHAPTER XIII. founder of a spirit of resurrection and newness,,,.<. -,..,.. i-...I- ~*THE ARCHPRIEST'S DINNER. of life, and the destiny yet, by the recovery of thine ancient energy, to guide through the ages JULIO'S bold and glorious sermon had lasted to come generations which shall live gloriously more than an hour. Exhausted by the double hereafter." effort which had called forth all the physical and Then he set forth the actual position of the intellectual faculties in the exercise of that wonChurch, weakening herself by inane repetitions drous fascination, he retired to a private vestry. of the less creditable and prosperous periods of There he could overhear the animated discusher history, with so vast a knowledge of the re- sions of the venerable members of the chapter. quirements of modern society, and of the utter The astute archpriest having calculated on Julio's fallacy of meeting its demand for vital activity triumph, was already prepared for it. The dean with an interminable ritual, the symbolism and of the chapter and three other canons were his poetry of which were retained no longer, that intimate friends: in addition to those, he had the upturned sea of countenances shone as with secured, for the execution of his purpose, two a sudden illumination, and amidst the intense other votes; so that he might safely reckon on a silence a deep joy broke forth, attesting the gen- majority. Before the cardinal had crossed, with eral sympathy in the revelation of these hitherto slow and stately step, from the choir to the unseen truths. sacristy, and laid aside his pontifical robes, the Finally, he proved, by most lucid and practi- dean, in conformity with the archpriest's precal arguments, that the Church's future depend- concerted arrangement, proposed to the chapter ed on herself; that her power was, in fact, slum- to petition his eminence to confer on the young bering in the midst of a crisis, in which she was secretary-general the rank of honorary canon of halting between the brilliant visions of the past, the metropolitan cathedral. The archpriest, and concealing the truth that the old faith was dead, those of his colleagues whom he had won over while its counterfeit glittered before her eyes, to his side, supported the motion with great and the uncertain prospects of a future, whose eagerness. new systems had not as yet been organized with A solitary voice protested. sufficient exactness. "You are encouraging most objectionable "Your eminence and sirs," he said, in con- teaching. What was there in this sermon be THE YOUNG PRIEST. 39 yond a collection of wild ideas of most question- a servant handed to the archpriest, on a silver able orthodoxy-an ignoring of all the prescribed salver, the journal of T-. rules of preaching-no division of the subject- "Gentlemen," said the archpriest, "excuse no invocation of the aid of the Virgin Mother, my rudeness, but I can not resist my curiosity. together with that of the Holy Spirit." I am anxious to see if the newspaper makes "And yet I fancy it was not so ill-inspired any allusion to the noble sermon we heard toafter all," said the archpriest, slyly. day." The dean, on collecting the votes, found him- And running his eye rapidly over the first self in a large majority; and the cardinal appear- columns of the sheet he found a paragraph on ing at that moment, the chapter approached him the subject. in a body, with a request that he would desig- "Exactly, gentlemen. Allow me to read nate the Abbe Julio honorary canon. you this extract." The archbishop was fairly taken by surprise. A general assent. The article was in the He comprehended at once the whole drift of the following terms: proposition; it involved a brilliant sanction of "The town of T — has just had one of the choice he had made in the person of his those treats which are now, unhappily, very new secretary, and a public rebuff of the Jesuit rare. An orator of the highest order discovclique. However, he disguised his satisfaction ered himself this afternoon, for the first time, as carefully as possible. in St. Stephen's Church. A very young priest, "The Abbe Julio is very young," he said to the Abbe de la Claviere, secretary-general to the canons. "This sermon of his is but a trial; the archbishop, has exhibited, in an extempore and an extempore discourse is always liable to discourse, which lasted an hour and electrified many imperfections, perhaps even inaccuracies, the audience, ability of so extraordinary a charwhich are undesirable in the pulpit, and which a acter as to make us proud of a country which rigid critic might point out. But then, we must has already furnished the bar with such emiremember, there are many things in his favor; nent speakers. There is but one opinion as to and since the venerable metropolitan chapter the merit of the sermon, and the vigor with extends its favor to him in so gratifying a man- which it broached certain theories uppermost at ner, I should be very ungracious did I decline present in the intelligent religious mind. Any to associate myself with him in this matter, or exceptions to the all but universal homage of refuse a favor which will tend greatly to encour- the town must be sought in the narrow-minded age him. So I nominate M. Julio de la Cla- ranks of those who are bent on cramping modviere honorary canon of the cathedral. ern society with the effete and restricted tradiThe archpriest knocked at the door of Julio's tions of the Middle Ages. Such persons will vestry, anxious to be the first to announce to possibly regard the reverend gentleman as an him the new dignity to which, thanks to the eccentric preacher, or even as an innovator. chapter, he had been raised; and as soon as the But men of the world, who would prefer seeing cardinal had retired, the canons came in a body the clergy take those new paths of oratory opento congratulate their new brother. ed up to them by Lacordaire, will applaud an At the same time it had been arranged that eloquence from which Catholicism might reap Julio should not leave the house of the arch- incalculable advantages could it but get rid of priest that evening without being informed, in those old ideas which the present age, whether the course of conversation, by one of the guests, rightly or wrongly, can only regard with averto whom he was indebted for this last act of sion. grace. There were also other surprises in store "Just as we were going to press we received for him. The archpriest's dinner was magnifi- a letter from one of the friends of M. Julio, incently served. The names of the guests, written forming us that his eminence, at the urgent reon exquisite pieces of glazed azure-tinted paper, quest of the chapter of St. Stephen's, has apwere carefully placed on the table-cover of the pointed the young orator to an honorary canonrarest and most exquisite damask. Julio's was ry. The communication finishes with these in the seat of honor, and the archpriest did not words, to which we heartily subscribe: fail to say, with a loud voice, as he motioned " The entire town of T- will be gratified him to his place, "The Abbe Julio de la Cla- at this just homage rendered by the cardinal to viere, honorary canon, secretary-general of the such distinguished talent.' diocese." "The article is signed by M. Meland, prinThe guests were almost all men of note. cipal editor of the journal, whom I have the Each of them had been present at the sermon, honor of seeing among my guests." which was just then in every one's mouth. The "Gentlemen, M. Julio's friend, who addressconversation was cheerful and brilliant. Had ed this letter to us, is the archpriest," said M. Julio been vain, he would have been upset with Meland, aloud. the flattery heaped upon him by that select cir- "See how I am betrayed!" said the archcle in the most refined and felicitous terms; a priest, laughing. "You journalists are the peculiar gift this of French talent, which can most indiscreet men in the world." offer to intellect or beauty the incense of adula- "And far too complimentary to me," obtion without ignoring the claims of modesty. served Julio. " I am at a loss how to express The first course had not been removed before my gratitude." 40 UNDER THE BAN. "By giving us another display of your tal- and when it is known few care to be charged ent," said M. Meland. with it.' He even quotes, in the same text, The conversation now became more animated the Latin saying: than ever. Verdelon, seated at a little distance'Jura per jura secretum perdere noli.' from Julio, who had welcomed him warmly on How are we to believe that so thoughtful a meeting him, and chided him in a friendly man- writer, who must have had such accurate knowlner for not paying a visit to the palace, led the edge of the society's constitution, would have way to a discussion of the religious questions spoken thus in strictest confidence if there were which were occupying their thoughts. nothing peculiar in the order?" The resolve of the Jesuits to build an edifice "I have been as much struck as yourself by was well known at T —; and people natural- that expression of the illustrious author to whom ly asked where the money was to come from. you refer," answered Julio; "I do not think, The inquisitive tittle-tattle of provincial towns however, that there are the same processes of likes nothing better than discussing and snap- initiation among the Jesuits as in secret socieping at every thing. ties. Listen to what I was told once by a priest, "Look to your prospective fortunes," said a friend of my own, who belonged to them at one. one time, but who became so sick of the double"I must be off to see after my great-uncle," dealing which is inherent in their system of espiobserved another. onage that he left them: "My old step-mother had some diamonds "Those only who occupy the highest places once," remarked a third; "but now, whenever among them have any thing to do with the diI inquire after them, she blushes. I should rection of their spiritual and temporal affairs. very much like to know where those said dia- The inferior members know nothing more about monds are gone." them than the general public. All that is known The skirmishers having finished, the real at- is that there exists at their head a mighty organtack began. ization, a terrible and tremendous machinery of "The Jesuits are doomed," said M. Dupey- wheels within wheels in which is displayed the rat, a distinguished advocate of T. "They real power of the General himself. The moral are triumphing now under the present Govern- force of this system resides in the celebrated ment, and that very Government will be their axiom, indicative of its thorough essence,'perdeath. The victory they have achieved over inde ac cadaver'-passive obedience, little short the university, and, consequently, over the sec- of veneration for an order received from a supeular clergy, will cost them their existence. rior-as though it were the revealed will of God. There are among them elements of deadliest Every Jesuit is unquestionably a submissive animosity, which will be crushed out by the agent, ready to set out any moment as professor strong hand that grasps the power of France. in a college, preacher in a cathedral, missionary Meanwhile new interests arising from inevita- in a village or among savages in foreign lands. ble struggles may issue in political antago- To speak correctly, he is not a Jesuit; he is a nisms; and if so, the explosion of these ele- priest like others, held to the commands of the ments will be attended with terrible results. ruling body. Their administration resembles Their triumphs even, attested by their costly that of the Venetian Republic.'At its head is establishments, erected in every direction, will an oligarchy, whose members compose a senate help to bring about this crisis. I give them of Jesuits, properly so called, to whom all the twenty years more of corporate existence in other members render blind allegiance-a mere France." herd, whose onlyfunction is obedience.''Among Meanwhile the drawing-room was filling with us,' said my friend,'the individual Jesuit is welinvited guests. All the numerous acquaint- come to his own opinions. He may be an abances of the archpriest were eager to avail them- solutist, a democrat, a Gallican, or an ultraselves of the opportunity of a personal interview montane; the society does not trouble itself on with the hero of the day, whom the newspaper, this head. It has its own views, which it keeps a great authority in provincial eyes, had desig- to itself and never communicates. These it nated as a rival and successor to Lacordaire. carries out by means of its various voluntary The conversation was resumed. M. Meland agents, who are merely required to obey.' asked Julio what he thought of the internal "Hence you see that it is incorrect to say economy of the Jesuits. there is any special secret among them. They " Have they, as it is stated, a special oath- have, indeed, an administration whose plans are a peculiar rite to which only their highest offi- never revealed, and tend to but one aim-the cers are admitted, and the secret of which is elevation of the order, no matter what the methconfided only to them? I questioned it for a ods of its accomplishment. This, I apprehend, long time; but an expression of Lamennais, at sums up the mystery in the Jesuit oligarchy. the time when he was an earnest Ultramonta- "With reference to the inner life of the mass nist, and, consequently, a most partial witness, which compose the order, my informant told me rendering as it does full justice to the individ- much. What I thus learned was not very credual merits of these men, has given me much to itable to their morality, but it indicated a most think about. If my memory serve me, this is skillful system of political Machiavelism. A the passage:'There is a secret among them; leading principle, openly avowed, is to set one THE YOUNG PRIEST. 41 member as a spy over all the others. Any oh- CHAPTER XIV. jectionable remark you may make will be told to the superior; what your brother at your side A SCENE AT THE PALACE may say you will have to reveal in like manner, WHILE the interesting revelations, as to the from motives of charity, that his spiritual ad- system of the Jesuits, recorded in the last chapvancement may be promoted by needful correc- ter, were being eagerly listened to in the house tion. The superior knows, guesses, and sees of the archpriest, a very different scene was ocevery thing. From this follows a life of deceit curring at the palace itself. -of rebukes, more or less unjust, occasioned by Mademoiselle de Flammarens, from the time the tale-telling of those who may have reported of Julio's entry on his office, had felt a growing your conduct. For example,' said my friend, dislike to her brother's favorite. The only con-' my superior told me that my great crime was dition, indeed, on which her approval of his apthat I was proud of my preaching.' And how pointment could be obtained was that she should he made me smart for it during the ten years I have a share in its advantages. His predeceswas among them! How often was my patience sor had been discreet enough to see this in his at its last ebb! I am not quite certain that, day; he had been the obsequious tool of the provoked by this perpetual worry, I did not say lady, whom he called the canoness; and no seto him,'Farewell, father; I mean to return to crets of the diocese were in his possession a liberty.' quarter of an hour without her being acquaint" Such is their internal economy. As for ed with them. Julio, however, was not distheir ubiquitous police organization, it is admin- posed to fall low at her feet, and she knew it. istered as thoroughly as that of the most power- Hence she conceived an aversion for the young ful States; and, in addition to this, it has an man, which she took care to communicate to the inexhaustible source of information, which is Abbe Gaguel, leading him to believe, with inwanting in similar Government bodies. I refer finite skill, that if the young upstart (a favorite to the confessional, which yields endless discov- term of hers) succeeded in worming himself into eries apart, of course, from the mere recital of the confidence of the aged cardinal, whose powsins by the penitent, which, of course, is never ers had been visibly declining for some months, disclosed. It is notorious that they never con- he, M. Gaguel, would be set aside, and the new fess a woman without ascertaining her name, secretary would rule the diocese. Less than her prospects, her husband's politics, the news- this would have sufficed to rouse the antipathy papers he takes in, the college where the chil- of the vicar-general. dren are being brought up. Thus they arrive at These two malignant spirits were full of tria knowledge of what transpires in private houses, umph on listening to the advanced views promore thorough than any the police could give pounded in Julio's sermon. Mademoiselle de them. Flammarens's velvet chair was placed in the "I ought in justice to add, however, that the nave, in front of the pulpit, near the clerical Jesuits, in gleaning and transmitting this knowl- stall. At the moment that Julio gave utteredge, are under the full impression that they are ance to his strongest sentiments she stole a furacting for the glory of God. They regard them- tive glance at the vicar-general, as much as to selves as mere human instruments in a holy say, "We have him now-he is done for." cause, and nothing could be more praiseworthy As soon as the discourse was over they met at in their eyes. Unfortunately for them, and for the palace. those who do not see the dishonesty of their "Dreadful!" said the lady. system, the outside world, ignoring their blind He'll turn out badly," said the abbe. trust, holds them in abhorrence. It repudiates'Did you hear his wild theories?" the idea that the end justifies the means. It is "I shrugged my shoulders with dismay." loth to believe that Christ would have men do My brother must be mad." His work by treachery and deceit. The most "I should fancy his eminence will scarcely extraordinary thing is, that it should be possible like it." to mould honest natures into so hateful a type; " Don't think it for a moment. He likes any and that there should be any influence strong thing eccentric; and, if I had not held him in enough to invest what is absolutely disgraceful check, he would long ago-" with so fair and excellent a seeming. And it is'" You must be mistaken. I question whethto this, most likely, that Lamennais refers when er his eminence would go so far as to sanction he alludes to their system as'something con- such opinions. Why, what the young idiot said trary to nature.' was from first to last a complete tissue of here"Now you have my reply. Still much of sies." what I have said is based upon mere conjecture. "I oly Virgin, and my brother tolerates an Only I am confident of this, that I have not apostate like that!" calumniated them." " No one has more power than the canoness," said the abbe, with a provoking smile, " to persuade monseigneur of the wrong he is doing in -.-41 —- _extending his protection to this dangerous person." It was evident that Julio was ruined. 42 IINDER THE BAN. The cardinal, on entering the dining-room, errors of youth in that false teaching which had perceived at once that their usual good-humor been well digested, and which has thrown the had given way to an air of distant coldness. entire town of T- into the utmost conster" What's the matter now?" he said to him- nation." self, and his thoughts reverted to Julio. The cardinal was silent. He bent under the Not a word spoken. He was the first to avalanche. He had a secret misgiving himself break silence. that he had been a little too precipitate in mak" Well, sister, what have you to say of the ing Julio a canon. sermon?" But his sister had no mercy for him. " What have you got to say yourself, monsei- "You have crowned your imprudence," she gneur?" continued, "in -hastening, without consulting "I am pleased with it on the whole. It was your vicars-general, without saying a word on full of pith. The exuberance of style will mel- the subject to me, to clothe a seminarist in the low down with age." purple, and so make him a little monster of con" Is that the only fault you have to find with ceit." it, monseigneur?" His eminence ventured slightly to defend The cardinal quite understood the very dry himself. tone in which tfte question was put. Experi- "Good gracious! my dear sister, be reasonaence had taught him that a storm was brewing ble. I was fairly besieged." in the archiepiscopal establishment whenever the "Besieged!" canoness was displeased. "Yes, besieged, I assure you."' I must be careful," he muttered to himself. "Oh, besieged; a pretty thing, indeed! The " There's a scene coming. I'll hold my tongue." most illustrious and most reverend cardinal yieldThe fact is, he was afraid of his sister. There ing to pressure. From what quarter, may I ask? are some feelings which we can never throw off. The archpriest, probably-a thorough-paced The cold looks of the little duenna made the wheedler-came to implore a reward for this good man turn pale. He ventured no reply, precious master-piece of oratory. You would but, changing the conversation, addressed him- make yourself the most obedient humble servself to the vicar-general, who was too cunning ant of these insignificant people. We are too not to detect the manoeuvre. He made use of proud for that, monseigneur." a number of vulgar expressions during the meal, "But the chapter came in a body to beg the which the cardinal particularly disliked. The'camail' for Julio." rest of the evening was as uncomfortable as the "And you failed to see that there was some dinner. There was the same ill-humor on the plot at the bottom? Verily, you never fail in part of the vicar-general, the same reserve from your habitual sagacity, except where your new the archbishop, to feed the coming storm. secretary is concerned." It was not, however, till M. de Gaguel had "I have told you I was taken by surprise. retired for the night that it fairly broke out. What more would you have? Grant that it " Now that we are alone, monseigneur, I may was a piece of folly." venture to say, what nobody else would presume " One of the greatest you could have perpeto tell you, that you are very wrong in the mat- trated. I only hope that you will have suffiter of this young priest." cient self-respect to expose us no longer to this "Dear me, sister, don't trouble yourself on annoyance." that score." And so saying she took up her candle and reHis eminence wanted to effect a retreat. tired, leaving the cardinal painfully bewildered "Monseigneur, my first thought is that you and perplexed. should be held in honor and esteem; so it is not strange that I should be anxious. I have — had cause for anxiety more than once." His eminence became even more conciliatory. CHAPTER XV. "Dear, kind friend, I know well how much you love me."A CATASTROPHE. This had been just the crisis, in similar out- THE cardinal reached his apartment and rang breaks, when Mdlle. de Flammarens got every for his valet. thing her own way. At that moment a servant He was visibly affected. His sister's reentered the room and handed her a little note preaches, apart from their exaggeration on the inscribed "Very pressing." subject of Julio's views, appeared to him just She opened it and read: from one point of view; and it was always pain" We were not aware that his eminence had ful to him to be found out by her in an error of made M. Julio an honorary canon before leaving judgment. He felt a sudden attack in his head. the church. What a pity!" Looking in his glass he was filled with alarm: The indignation of the lady on receiving this his forehead was suffused with a bright purple information knew no bounds. color, while strange clouds passed before his "Fine doings, monseigneur," she exclaimed. eyes: he threw himself into an easy-chair. " You sanction, by your presence, the absurdi- Remembering that he had sat down to dinner ties of an intemperate boy. You see only the with his mind distracted by anxieties, he con THE YOUNG PRIEST. 43 soled himself with the thought that it was no- looked at her earnestly, and that look induced thing more than a severe-attack of indiges- her to believe that there was yet hope. tion. They sent for his physician immediately. He Just then his attendant appeared. lived in the Place du Capitole, some distance " I could not come at once, your eminence, off. He was not at home when the servant arfor a messenger has just brought this letter, rived. He had been dining at his daughter's which he begged me to deliver without delay. house, near the Botanic Garden, at the other I didn't like disturbing your eminence; but he end of Tinsisted: he was under orders to give it into The messenger, instead of running for another your eminence's own hands, only I wouldn't let physician, set off for the Botanic Garden by the him do that, but promised you should have it shortest road through the main streets. Meanto-night." while the doctor had just set off home, and was "Oh, what a worry business is! Let me see coming quietly along by the outer Boulevards. the letter." The man returned to the palace in despair, And opening it, he went to the candle and and detailed his ill-success; whereupon they reread as follows: solved to send for another medical attendant. " Your eminence, under the painful impres- These goings and comings had wasted much sion of all that we heard from the cathedral time. pulpit this afternoon, we are compelled to write The brain was giving way every minute. All to you for the purpose of acquainting you with the servants were in tears. Mademoiselle de the profound sensation that that unhappy ser- Flammarens, half-stupefied, preserved a mournmon has produced in T " ful silence, interrupted from time to time by "It's too bad for any thing," cried the car- heavy sobs. They made him inhale smellingdinal, with an irrepressible gesture of impa- salts; but the attack was evidently getting the tience. " What I have tolerated from my sis- upper hand. At length the two physicians arter I will submit to from no one else. This rived almost at the same moment and held a verges on insolence. Only a Jesuit would pre- consultation. "It's very late," they said. The sume to write in this way: none of my other first bleeding produced but very slight results; priests would dare to do it. But let's see how they tried another with almost the same sucit goes on." cess. "Had your eminence not given a marked "He is gone!" sanction- an adherence almost official and The word rang like a knell in the ears of the episcopal-to the dangerous teaching of M. old lady. Apart from her affection for her brothJulio, by making him canon of the cathedral, er, all her hopes for the future vanished with his we should have been less hurt. But after that life. deplorable exercise of authority we can only "For Heaven's sake, gentlemen," she cried, bewail, in silence, the wonderful infatuation "try some other remedies!" which has possessed even a Catholic archbishop, They told her that every other remedy was and pray that grace may be vouchsafed to en- but a feeble palliative. They might try another lighten and arrest him on the verge of ruin." bleeding, but possibly he would expire under "Scoundrels!" said the cardinal; "they the operation. want to compromise me!" "By all means make the attempt; perhaps " We are attached to your person, your emi-you'll save his life." nence; but we cherish still more-more even The result exceeded their hopes. The sufthan our own life-the purity of Catholic truth. ferer recovered his senses. He was able to speak We should be grieved to be compelled to appeal to his sister and his medical attendants. to the supreme judge of the Church-our most "'Thank you, gentlemen, I am quite conholy father the Pope, whom Jesus Christ has scious. God has made use of you to enable me placed over all His other pastors. to receive the last blessing which a Christian " If, however, your eminence, influenced by can enjoy from His bounty-time to prepare to our representations, and led to take a better view meet his Judge." of the interests of our faith, would, by a public Turning to his valet, " Make every arrangeact, aim a blow at these scandalous doctrines..." ment for me to receive the last sacraments. Call Here he turned over. " Why, as I live, the a priest, the Abbe Julio, do you hear?" he addletter is anonymous. The cowards: they posi- ed, with a clear voice......" My sister, and you tively summon me to the tribunal at Rome!" my friends, please leave me now; you can reThe letter fell from his hands: he sank down turn while I am receiving the extreme unction. in his chair; and his valet had considerable diffi- I feel that I have few moments left, so I want culty in carrying him to his bed. The cardinal time for self-examination." was attacked by a severe apoplectic fit. Julio was going to his room in one of the As soon as the man had succeeded in laying wings of the palace when he was overtaken by him down, he rushed outside calling for help; the valet, who told him the calamity which had the next moment the room was full. Made- occurred, and conveyed to him the cardinal's moiselle de Flammarens came and tried to get dying wishes. her brother to speak to her, but a few inarticu- Shocked beyond all conception, he went at late sounds were his only replies. However, he once to the sick chamber. 44 UNDER THE BAN. "My dear, dear boy," said the old man, "I presence, at a time when you little knew that wish you to guide my last devotions, and receive your thoughts were the same as those which I my last sigh. My very minutes are numbered. had always entertained, assures me you will be Poor Julio, see what a little, little thing is the brave enough to give effect to my last wishes. grandeur of earth! Sit down at my bedside, my I bitterly reproach myself for the hypocrisy of child. Bless me, and receive my confession." my life; my heart repudiated it; for hypocrisy The eyes of the young priest filled with tears. has ever been hateful to me. A cardinal, an archbishop, was the first penitent "I regret the external pomp of my episcoover whom he was called upon to pronounce, in pate; the importance which I have appeared to the name of a sin-pardoning God, the decree of attach to that ancient worship, those liturgies absolution. which the poetry of the Middle Ages has left us. The cardinal, in a firm, distinct voice, con- It all seems to me worn out, dead, powerless. fessed, with deep penitence, all the prominent We want truth now, not poetry. We want spirsins of his whole life; then he bowed his silvered itual worship; communion in prayer, not drahead under the hand of the young priest, to re- matic effects. We want language that comes ceive the message of forgiveness. from the heart, evangelical teaching in all its "Now for a parting embrace, my dear Julio. simplicity, instead of sights that appeal to the I should like to leave you a keepsake-a proof senses. It is time that we looked for those who of my intense affection for you. Give me your will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. hand, that hand which, for the last time, has "Then, too, I have let it be thought, that I been laid on my head in token of the forgive- believed in the temporal power of the papacy; ness which God has, I humbly hope, bestowed this, also, was against my conviction. By that upon a sinner. Here is my pastoral ring. Prom- inexplicable policy Rome is advancing to her ise me that, whatever your earthly destiny may ruin. She is helping free-thinkers. She is prebe-whether cardinal of the Church, or an ob- venting the union with herself of other comscure curate in some forgotten village-you will munions who would no longer stand aloof were never part with this pledge of remembrance." she liberal, tolerant, and unworldly in her grasp " Your eminence, I do indeed promise." and aims. And, kissing the old man's hand, he received "Let the sovereign pontiff hear my last words. the ring and placed it on his finger. Let him know that a dying brother implores "Call me no longer'your eminence,' dear him to save the Church spiritual, and resign friend. I do not like it now. Did they ever so from necessity a royal power of which scarcely call the Son of the carpenter? My age places a shred remains. me in the relation of a father to you; mv heart, "I would have it known that my faith rewhich is full of affection for you, in the position mains unshaken in the Church's future, in the of your friend. I rejoice to think that my latest principle which no other economy, moral or spirsigh will be breathed while you are here, and itual, can supplant —'Ye shall love the Lord that your noble and blameless hand will close your God, and one another as brethren.' But my eyes. And now listen to me. You are I am convinced that the visible Church is on the about to receive the last solemn utterance of a eve of a vast change. All its unreality, pomp, dying man; you may call it my spiritual will and pride will vanish before long, leaving that and testament. which alone is grand, the imperishable Gospel "I die in the bosom of the Church Catholic and the law of brotherly love. Apostolic and Roman, of which I have been " Having sought pardon of God for all my erpriest, bishop, and cardinal. rors and sins, how can I entertain a feeling of "About to appear before Him who is the ill-will to man? Nevertheless I would warn Immutable Truth, I declare that it has been the Church against the growth of religious soagainst my convictions and with extreme repug- cieties, more particularly against the Jesuit ornance that I have for forty years pursued the der. I would wish to think that each member dangerous path in which the Church Catholic is of that fraternity is actuated by a simple desire at present found. I have violently repressed the to do good; but they adopt human instrumennoblest instincts of my soul, swallowed my true talities for that end which savor too much of belief, and allowed nothing to escape me of the the trickery of worldly politics, and therefore teaching God had given me as to the right meth- can scarcely be called Christian. od of advancing the interests of His Church. Charitable societies, such as St. Vincent de To this I owed my rapid promotion. I was Paul projected, and whose aim is to alleviate called upon to choose between honors which suffering, are enough in a day when social imflattered my vanity and a life of trouble and per- provement has put a livelihood within the reach secution. I have been very weak. I have re- of every man, by means of labor-equally with coiled before the cross and crown of the new love, the great first law. apostolate. I preferred the dignity of the pur- "I see nothing more to add to these feeble pie, and to achieve that I have sacrificed Truth utterances beyond the expression of my hope itself. that among the clergy of my beloved France " Dear Julio, I charge you to tell this out to there may multiply men bolder than I have the Christian world. My conscience requires been, and ready to reunite, under a new econoit: and the boldness of your language in my my, the world which has abandoned the faith, THE YOUNG PRIEST. 45 and the Church which has misunderstood and ers of my clergy would have ventured to write misrepresented it. in such a strain. Take care of it. I commit "God bless you, dear Julio! Your thorough- it to your individual keeping. History will rely evangelical sermon has been one of the great- quire it one day. It ought to be known that an est treats of my life. I see in you one of the archbishop, a cardinal of the Roman Church, apostles of the Church that shall arise. In the can be threatened in France, by the Jesuits, persecution that from to-morrow will overtake with the thunders of Rome. you, even in this house of mine, and in the "The exhausted energies of an old man have presence of my still warm remains-in the hour proved unequal to this painful excitement. I when you will be anathematized from every side have had to go through a most distressing scene -never lose your confidence in the coming time. with my poor sister; and that Jesuit letter has Whether you yourself will be permitted to gee struck the final blow. I die a martyr; for it is better days-whether the dawn of the Church's their hatred of you, and of the truth which you real life will reveal to you one of its struggling so eloquently thrust before them, that they have rays ere you descend to the grave, I know not: visited on me. I freely forgive their blind fabut I know that the thought of me, and the naticism. Farewell, Julio! Call in my sister memory of my mournful inconsistency, will ever and the rest-only don't leave me: stay till the follow you. end, to close my eyes." " You will never have to utter such sorrowful The last sacraments were then administered. things-to proclaim your weakness and humili- He was still able to pray. When the priest utation. You will have walked uprightly before tered the sublime invitation, " Go, Christian men-and the glory of the truth you have de- spirit, to the splendors of immortality," the old fended will encompass you in the presence of man re-echoed the words. Then, calling his God. sister, he squeezed her hand affectionately" Adieu, my dear Julio! adieu, my child! I "Farewell, sister!" feel that my strength is going. There is, how- And, turning to his attendantsever, one important commission left. You see "Farewell, my friends!" that letter? It comes from the Jesuits: no oth- And the dying agonies came on. 46 UNDER THE BAN. P A T II. HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. CHAPTER I. charged the daily task which the cardinal had intrusted to him. TIHE VACANT THRONE. The Jesuits made a great show of mourning THE death of a bishop is a great event in a for the dead. They celebrated a solemn service provincial town. A new reign will soon com- in their chapel. The quantity of wax they mence, and the cry goes forth at once among burned round an enormous catafalque which the palace courtiers, the king is dead-"long they had constructed for the occasion was inlive the king!" calculable; at the same time, however, they did No one is sooner forgotten than a dead ruler. not fail to insinuate a rumor in their own circles His ashes are hardly in the grave before every that God had visited the unhappy cardinal for thing is arranged as though he had never ex- his sin in sanctioning Julio's teaching. Such isted. old ladies as delight in bigotry-such young The cardinal, who had redeemed the incon- ones as live by enthusiasm-came to the consistency of his life by the courage of his dying elusion naturally that the visitation was most words, expired in dreadful suffering. Julio had righteous; and fiom that moment Julio's name received his last farewell and closed his eyes. revived, wherever it was heard, unpleasant asSeated motionless by the bed, he passed the re- sociation with those of Luther or Satan. mainder of that cruel night with the sister and Not that this feeling was abroad among seusiservants of the late prelate, in the awful pres- ble men. There the archbishop had many warm ence of Death. admirers. They made allowance for his love of The Abbe Gaguel, who owed every thing to show-detecting underneath his real instincts. the cardinal, had also contrived to make a cer- They heard him speak officially, in proper epistain display of uncontrollable grief. Ile re- copal style; but they knew that his prelate's gretted his benefactor less than his high position robes concealed an upright and enlightened spirit. with the cardinal-a position, too, which he had Visits of condolence flowed in from all sides. intended to improve had the cardinal lived. The most enthusiastic expressions of anguish The dead man's sister, heartless and selfish, were poured into the ears of Mademoiselle de made all the requisite demonstrations of natural Flammarens and M. Gaguel, while Julio was emotion. She had been too prudent and clever saluted as a master intellect, and interrogated a lady, however, not to have secured beforehand as to the details of that sudden and unexpected a most satisfactory will, which left her her broth- death. er's sole legatee. Julio repeated almost word for word, to a few Nothing remained but to inter the deceased intimate friends, the dying statements of the prelate with the usual solemnities. The chap- cardinal. Verdelon-who had a wonderful ter met the morning after his death, and pro- memory-wrote down the account at the close ceeded to the election of vicars-capitulars. They of a long conversation in which Julio had clothwere divided into two parties, represented re- ed, in glowing language, the last utterances of spectively by the archpriest and M. Gaguel. the old man. These men hated one another most cordially, He allowed some other friends to copy his and their rivalry was conspicuous on this occa- MS.; and within a week this singular producsion, when each was actuated exclusively by tion had been circulated through the entire town, unqualified self-love, while even the Eagle, a T — newspaper, had M. Gaguel carried the day. He succeeded alluded to it. in causing himself to be nominated vicar-gen- Two copies of the pamphlet had not been at eral capitular, with two other canons of his large before the Jesuit police brought one of party, and the archpriest was effectually baf- them to the Provincial. Violently enraged, he fled. summoned a grand council, read the document A high-sounding manifesto, duly reiterating with an agitated voice, and ended by asking those official regrets which accompany dead bish- them what they thought of it. ops to their graves, was composed by M. Gaguel, " It's a hateful invention of the young reproand signed by his two colleagues. In his ca- bate. We know the cardinal well. It will be pacity of senior vicar-general he undertook vir- necessary to make an energetic protest against tually the administration of the diocese. this defamatory libel. Perhaps it would be deJulio was too dignified, and had too genuine sirable to prosecute him." a love of self-respect, to embroil himself in these "Take care," said one; "copies of the religintrigues. Full of unutterable grief, he dis- ious testament of the cardinal unsigned and HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 47 unpublished could never constitute a criminal sumed toward him a constrained air, and somecharge against the Abbe Julio. But if, as one times went so far as to shun him openly. Proud may judge from a clause in the manuscript, it is of the suffrages of the chapter and archbishop in intended to be published, then, I think, we may fact, the Abbe Gaguel, the close ally of Madame follow him up for defamation." de Flammarens, hesitated to expel the secretary, The seven concurred in this remark. Three in spite of her entreaties. He was perfectly days afterward the Catholic Atlas had the fol- aware that such a measure would be agreeable lowing article: to the Jesuits and the partisans of the Cathlolic " We learn from T- that the death of the Atlas; but he had acquired a habit, during the Cardinal de Flammarens has caused universal many years he had passed in office, of acting on regret. The funeral wasvery superb. All the every occasion with all possible caution. So, clergy of the diocese were present, and the en- anxious to avoid a demonstration, he disregardtire population evinced the profoundest respect ed his eager personal desire to be rid of a man for the memory of the deceased prelate. M. who had always been in his way, suppressed his l'Abbe Gaguel, the vicar-general-in-chief, pro- private animosity, calmed the impatience of the nounced a most eloquent funeral oration, which canoness, and comforted himself with the thought was universally admired. that he might safely wait a while, as Julio, with " The deceased prelate, by his devotion to his his antecedents, his character, and the part he sacred office, and his love of sound doctrine, has had played at the cardinal's death, would be left behind him an unsullied reputation. Un- sure to furnish some sufficiently plausible prehappily, however, a contemptible anonymous text for the desired measure. Then there was manuscript has been circulated in T-, pro- the forthcoming publication of the pamphlet, fessing to be an authentic transcript of his re- which, thanks to the Atlas, had attracted the ligious opinions. Apart from the insults which notice of religious men, and with which Rome this production hurls against an illustrious soci- and the sacred congregation of the Index were ety, long ago placed, by their virtues, their knowl- already occupied. edge, their attachment to the head of the Church, That little work was, in point of fact, soon to in the van of Catholicism, it attributes to the appear. Julio, with Verdelon's assistance, had venerable cardinal opinions so outrageous, so given the last touch to the manuscript which was utterly repugnant to those which he has been to represent a Roman cardinal as an innovator. known to entertain during his whole life, that It was sent to a celebrated publisher in Paris, to no sensible person could, for a moment, credit secure for the posthumous utterances of M. de its pretensions. Free-thinkers, however, and Flammarens the utmost publicity. enemies of the Church, are making considerable Julio and Verdelon, having no wish for conuse of it. They venture to affirm that these are cealment in the matter, told their fiiends that the veritable last words of the dying man, and the pamphlet would soon be out, and congratuthat he uttered them in the lucid interval just be- lated themselves at the thought of the impresfore his death. It requires no small amount of sion it would create. The Eagle went further; credulity to swallow such a tale as this. and in order the more effectually to stimulate " The document referred to is ascribed to the curiosity, announced that the coming work would authorship of a certain young priest, whom the revive the passionate discussions which arose out cardinal had treated with extraordinary con- of Lamennais's famous work, Les Paroles d'an descension, and whose head has been turned by Croyant. This article created a perfect tempest the flattering attention which he has received. of excitement in T —-. Men of the world who "It is expected that the administrators of the had been fascinated by the eloquence of the diocese for the time being will take energetic young priest in the pulpit of St. Stephen's measures to prevent the publication of this dis- made open declaration of their sympathy with graceful document, and punish as he deserves his ideas of reform. To their admiration of his the author of such a barefaced imposture. undoubted oratorical powers they added the "LABICHE." patriotic feeling so powerful in the south. Julio was a son of their country-a credit to their It is not difficult to detect the writer of the town-so he must be protected; for the glory above article. It created an immense sensation with which his name was surrounded seemed to at T —, and the Star of Languedoc, a Jesuit spread itself over the city, said one of learned organ, did not fail to reproduce it, with addi- reputation, already rich in men distinguished by tions, no less treacherous, of its own. It was the acquisition of every branch of knowledge. evident already that the Jesuit faction would The Atlas and the Jesuits were in a condition spare no efforts to have Julio driven out in dis- little short of frenzy. Southern brains soon grace, if not from the diocese, at all events from catch fire, and when once these men had come the honorable post in which the cardinal had to believe that God did not know how to take placed him. care of His own truth, but needed a little of their The day after these attacks in the religious fanaticism to help Him, there was no limit to newspapers all the frequenters of the palace the eagerness with which they sought to prove looked more and more coldly at Julio. Those their love to Him by hatred to his creatures. who had so recently flattered him, with the arch- Easter was close at hand. A very long time priest at their head, foreseeing his disgrace, as- had elapsed since Louise had been to the con 48 UNDER THE BAN. fessional. Annoyed at first with Father Brif- causes tend to prevent it. In religion, as in fard's observations, she had wished to allow time every thing else, public opinion is an inflexible for getting rid of the disagreeable impression tyrant. which his interested and inopportune harangue We may add that Father Briffard, who was a had produced. In this manner a whole month discerning ecclesiastic, having noticed Madame slipped by, and at the bare thought of him she de la Claviere and Madelette at the confession filt herself embarrassed from another cause. She several times, but no Louise-Louise whom he knew she would be cross-questioned as to why had petted —Louise on whom he had lavished she llad passed four long weeks without present- such gracious names-understood at once that ing herself at the confessional, and then she he had produced a crisis in the feelings of his would catch it finely; a concluding reflection young penitent, and that she had shaken off the which did not tend to reassure her. Another yoke she had so long worn. He came to the month passed, and the difficulty grew mountains conclusion that it was no use to think of the rehigh; and now there was nothing for it but to ligious life for her any longer; that, to put it meet this formidable father as the most penitent plainly, the devil had triumphed, and that if he of penitents, acknowledging utter worldliness, was so lucky as to catch her again it would have and imploring the satisfaction of no end of pen- to be by another plan. That it was out of the ance. question to represent to her that she ought to Moreover, to tell the whole truth, there was return to a path from which of course she had something on her conscience. She had met never departed, but that he would have to push Verdelon several times in her brother's compa- her into a corner so effectually as to put it out ny; and he, a fashionable young gentleman now, of her power to attempt escape. It occurred was no longer the downcast monastic youth that to him at one time that Julio had endeavored he had been in days when beauty never won to persuade her to give up confessing to the Jesfrom him look or thought. It never entered into nits; but this idea he abandoned. Utopians the artless head of her genius-brother to suspect and dreamers like the young priest, he argued, that his sister could possibly love any one else in do not usually descend to practical details, or the world besides himself. But modest and re- hunt out ways of small revenge. And in this fined as she was, she belonged after all to her he was right. sex. Her glance deigned to rest on the eligible He had taken good care, however, to question male individuals who, especially since the fa- her aunt on the subject. Meanwhile he waited mous sermon at St. Stephen's, had courted Ju- the Easter festival, when he would be obliged to lio's society. But there was one among them know for certain whether his wandering sheep whose image outshone the others, and in those was in the power of Satan, or whether it would intercommunions which the young maiden had, have the good taste to return wounded and footwhether she would or no, with her heart of sore from roamings over the sharp rocks of the hearts, the name of Augustus Verdelon was world, pleading and pitiful to the very reverend perpetually recurring, and Louise, though only Briffard, to ask him to extend to it again the in the presence of her own conscience, actually shelter and warmth of his fatherly bosom. blushed. The Saturday week before Easter Madame Her indulgent old aunt guessed probably her de la Claviere said to Louise, natural aversion to Father Briffard, and regret- "Dear child, I am getting weaker and weakting that she had not been bold enough to with- er. I wish to commence the Easter services tostand him herself, neither mentioned his name morrow: they will probably be my last. My nor spoke of confession. Every week it was, strength is ebbing away. Will you not make me ( I am going to the chapel of the Inquisition." happy by the sight of you at my side at the holy "Are you, dear aunt? would you like me to table?" accompany you?" And the eyes of the kind though weak old "No, my dear child, Madelette is enough," woman filled with tears. for the good woman quite understood Louise's There was no getting out of this; so Louise meaning. summoned all her courage for the emergency. However, as the fortnight before Easter drew " Certainly, my dearest aunt: I will go with on, Madame de la Claviere became anxious. you to the chapel of the Inquisition." Over and over again she had it on the tip of her tongue to say that her niece ought to be think — ing of the great festival. For a young lady, well born, strict hitherto in her religious ob- CHAPTER II. servances, to fail in keeping Easter, was to se-,, r e aFATHER BRIFFARD AGAIN. cure herself at T — the reputation of having at least two lovers; and had Louise been thus LOUISE was full of indescribable terrors. She reported of she would most certainly have been naturally expected bitter reproaches and terrible very grievously calumniated. Such indeed is menaces, such as the lords of the confessional the force of public opinion in provincial towns, occasionally adopt-at times successfully-to that certain religious acts must be performed, terrify their penitents, and so get out from them whether with a good or ill grace, whether per- the full tale of their delinquencies. Trembling sonal piety lead to their observance or private all over, and almost beside herself, she never HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 49 theless prolonged her torture by begging Made- " The manuscript is said to have been translette to precede her at the tribunal. At length, mitted to Paris, to secure for it extensive pubwhen the fatal moment arrived, scared and be- licitythrough those infidel libraries which are diswildered, like a convict approaching the scaffold, seminating every where infamous books against she fell on her knees before the father, stifling a God and His Church. groan and bathed in tears. "There is time yet to avert the calamity. "Bless me, father!" You may rescue your brother. We know that And a long-drawn sigh-a sigh so heart-rend- an interdict is prepared for him in the diocese; ing as to show that she had no strength of will though M. Gaguel, from charity, from compasleft-escaped from her bruised spirit. sion for so young a priest, mercifully delays its " Here you are, daughter, I see: tell me care- promulgation. But should the book appear, fully all your faults." he will be most reluctantly compelled by public The words were uttered with such perfect gen- opinion to adopt that fearful extreme. From tleness, the quietness of the tone was, to all ap- this day, then, seek out your brother, and use pearance, so natural, that the courage of Louise every effort to dissuade him. Let him recall revived. She enumerated her usual transgres- his manuscript; let him formally prohibit the sions; her sins of the tongue which she was printer fiom proceeding with it; let him pledge unable to specify-gave, in short, just that sum- himself to live henceforth the life of a submissmary which may be expected from those who ive Churchman; let him assure M. Gaguel, who have not been exposed to grave temptation. is kindness itself to the priests of the diocese, Woman though she was, and therefore gener- that he is an altered man, that he has returned ally prolix in her confession, she was by no to the wise opinions he was so infatuated as to means long on the present occasion. She was reject. Should he do this, you may assure him very careful to avoid mention of her new feel- that all will be forgotten. Those pious spirits, ings-regarding herself strictly as in the pres- at present scandalized by his conduct and docence of a judge, who was neither father nor trines, will be cheered by such a recantation. friend-and wound up by saying, He will be recommended to the favor of the " I remember nothing more." new archbishop, and will be preserved fiom that "Very well, daughter. I suppose you wish misery and disgrace which the strong hand of to observe Easter?" authority invariably inflicts with merciless pow"Most certainly, father, if you think me fit." er on the rebel and renegade, for the terror of "Just so, daughter." the insubordinate and the proud. And without making the least allusion to the "Once more, save your brother. Give him long interval which had elapsed since her last clearly to understand that if this book is pubconfession, after having delivered one of those lished he is ruined. There is not a moment vague exhortations which he might have ad- to hesitate. He must recall his manuscript at dressed to a perfect stranger-very brief, and in once, recant, and submit. which all language of reproach was carefully "Farewell, daughter. You see that I have avoided-he said, not forgotten you, and that I am anxious to prc"Now I will absolve you." serve you from terrible calamities-the disgrace The absolution over, he resumed: of your family,.the dishonor which ever attaches "My child, I have heard your confession; to the name of an interdicted priest. When you that is an affair between God and you. At draw near to the table of the Lord ask courage present, the interest which I have so long felt from Him. For my part, I, too, will pray for in you-an interest which I would desire to sus- this unhappy wanderer; and all our fathers, who tain at all costs-requires me to admonish you love you much, will unite in our prayer. Farein a matter of highest importance-affecting well. Save your unfortunate brother." your future welfare. Your aunt is very old; And the little grating of the dark confessional she might die at any moment. At her death was closed. your brother will be your only relative. I trust "Merciful God! what misery is in store for he loves you, and that you have some influence us!" Such was Louise's last ejaculation, in the over him. Listen then quietly to what I have depths of her unutterable anguish. to say. Your brother is on the brink of an Happily for her her aunt and Madelette were abyss. We have learned from the newspapers gone. She arose instantly, and taking the shortthat he meditates publishing a disgraceful pam- est possible road to the palace, found her brother, phlet, which he presumes to give to the world who had just returned fiom the cathedral, and under the name of the late Cardinal de Flam- was about to partake of his humble breakfast. marens. This work is, to begin with, a shame- Her features were disturbed with grief. Her ful affair-more than that, it is a fearful mistake. large eyes, generally so mild and clear, were Neither the vicars-general capitular nor the new mournful now, and swollen with weeping. Her archbishop will suffer a young priest to issue, in pallor, and the convulsive twitchings of the musthe name of a deceased prelate, the soundness cles of her face, indicated the deepest distress. of whose views was notorious, a tissue of extrav- "Good Heavens, Louise, is my aunt dead?" agances, such as are reported to be contained "No, brother." in this insignificant but audaciously libelous "Thank God! I can breathe freely. But book. what bad news have you brought?" D 50 UNDER THE BAN. Thus interrogated, Louise summoned all her ed to convince her.: There are, in truth, sacri- courage, and repeated almost word for word fices which the weaker sex can not understand. what Father Briffard had said. The Spartan mothers, indeed, used to say to Thoroughly convinced, as she was, that the their sons setting out for battle, as they handed Jesuits hated her brother, she nevertheless felt them their shield, "Behind it or on it." It is that the threat was true, and that should the accepted among women that, to wipe out an testament be published an interdict would most insult, a man ought to expose himself to the assuredly follow. So she implored Julio by all chances of a duel-death or homicide. But that he held dearest in the world-by that broth- the heroism of humiliation is beyond their comerly love which he had lavished upon her-by prehension. Christianityhasreiteratedthewords the tenderest reminiscences of their childhood for 1800 years, "Blessed are they that suffer for -in the name of her aunt, to whom they owed righteousness' sake." They hear this from the their education and a thousand other benefits, pulpit, sometimes eloquently urged. When they to draw back from a course which would cer- read the Gospel, they find it there; as well as tainly bring her to a premature grave. She in homilies on self-denial. To suffer for justice, placed before him all the troubles which would to drink the poison-cup of infamy drained by await him from the moment that he set himsef the heathen Socrates, to submit to the cross as in opposition to authority which proclaimed it- their Master did, without a murmur: all this self to be implacable, and from the chastise- passes before their mind as an idea which they ments of which tfere was no redress. see to be grand, but which they translate from To be compelled to return to the world after practical life to the regions of theory; so rarehaving been for a few months only a priest-an ly is it realized either by those who teach or object of aversion to his brethren-and of hor- those who hear. ror in the eyes of all the faithful! What a Louise was crushed by her brother's firmness. prospect! and that, yes, that awaited her belov- That he should embitter his existence, that he ed Julio. should at the same time poison the lives of those To his sister's eloquent appeal Julio returned who loved him, and whom he ought to make answer that he had fully estimated the weight happy, that he might carry out the dying wishes of her arguments, and that if he listened to the of an old man whose brain was affected at the voice of his natural heart he would lose no time time he uttered them, and who had nothing in withdrawing the manuscript, and so, by giving more to fear from the curses of men-this was complete satisfaction, ask indulgence from those indeed an exaggeration of duty, it was nothing in authority. short of madness. "But," said he, "I am pledged to a solemn When she entered her aunt's chamber her moral engagement. I have given my word to eyes were tearless; every sign of agitation was a dying man, and I can not perjure myself. I gone; her refined and tender smile had come know that priestly power has a pitiless heart. back. There was nothing apparent to lead But I can not, without degrading myself to my Madame de la Claviere to suspect the terrible own conscience-without incurring hopeless re- scenes which had just occurred in the confesmorse through my whole life-fail in the most sional and at the palace. earnest assurance I have ever given, next to that Father Briffard, however, was not satisfied which bound me to the altar. Forgive me, my with this first experiment. Foreseeing that beloved Louise; pity your brother. And if he Louise would encounter determined resistance be already all but an outcast-the abhorrence from her brother, he sent for the famous Tourof the priesthood-keep for him, as a shelter nichon, the most active and unprincipled of the from a world which seems to delight to live in Jesuit agents. To him he sketched out his hatred, an asylum in your heart where no ill plans. They had been debating a long time can reach him. I shall at least have your es- who in the town was likely to have most influteem then; and if ever I were plundered of ence over the recalcitrant abbe. Now Tourniyour sisterly affection the testimony of a good chon was well aware of the intimacy between conscience would be left, and that would be Julio and Verdelon. He knew that the manuenough." script was their joint production. There were Louise tried her last resource. She wept vi- other things too that he knew equally well: olently; but Julio remained inflexible. and from one of his spies, who sometimes met " Don't ask me to be a coward," he exclaim- Louise in society, he had ascertained that Vered, as he overwhelmed his sister with endear- delon was not indifferent to the sister of his ing caresses. "My poor darling," he contin- friend. So it was decided that Tournichon ued, " be brave. Remember that it is better far should call on Madame de la Claviere, and seto be with the hunted and forsaken who still re- cure her aid, as well as that of her niece, in the tain their uprightness of heart and conscience effort to gain over to their side the man who than with cowards and persecutors." had helped in the preparation of the obnoxious pamphlet, which contained, as was well known, Madame de la Claviere might well be anxious some tolerably smart things against the Jesuits. at her niece's prolonged absence. The wretch- At the same time Tournichon and Father Brifcd girl, however, made all possible speed to get fard acknowledged to one another, as they exback to the Rue du Taur. Her brother had fail- changed a glance which attested their long ex HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 51 perience in such matters, that if the eyes of making a call, with the object of preferring a Mademoiselle de la Claviere fell discouragingly request. She communicated her uneasiness to on this last attempt it was hopeless to try any Louise. That young lady, in spite of her secret further measures. partiality for the gentleman in question, was as This undertaking was by no means easy of little disposed for the visit as her aunt. A reaccomplishment. Tournichon, however, re- fined sense of propriety told her, that when one solved to try his best. He presented himself of her sex asks an important favor from a young the same evening at the Rue du Taur, and, be- man the lord of her affections, it is, in some fore playing the usual game of cards-the old sort, a pledge. She endeavored, however, to lady's favorite relaxation-led the conversation encourage her aunt. to Julio. IHe extolled his talents to the skies, "Never fear; M. Verdelon is so natural; he and spoke of the great interest which the good will put you so thoroughly at your ease, dear fathers took in him. aunt, that you will have nothing to apprehend. "But," added he to his venerable friend, "I Moreover, last recess, he spent a fortnight at La can not conceal from you the sensation produced Claviere; and you often told me how much you among all right-thinking people by a certain admired his modesty, intelligence, and thoughtoutrageous pamphlet which threatens nothing ful attention." less than an attack on the reputation of the late "I remember perfectly, Louise." cardinal." "I am certain he will lay himself out to be It was easy for Tournichon to terrify Madame agreeable to you, my dear aunt." de la Claviere with reference to the consequences "Let us ask God that he may," said she, raisthat would attend its publication. He suggest- ing her eyes " What a mercy if we could be ed that it was the general belief that all argu- the means of saving our very dear boy!" as she ments would fail with Julio, except it were those always called Julio. of his friend who had assisted him in its prep- Though the ladies had walked very slowly aration. they arrived at that moment at Verdelon's abode. "You alone, my worthy friend-you alone, Louise knocked at the door. Her heart beat with your niece, can save this unhappy youth. when an old housekeeper appeared and told Unite bravely in the enterprise, and go to M. them he was in his study. They were shown Verdelon. It will be unpleasant, I doubt not; into a small drawing-room, tastefully decorated. but supposing you succeed, what happiness for There is something indefinable in the curiosyourselves, what misery spared to the young ity of a love-stricken heart. Louise devoured priest-at least, what scandal in the Church, with her eyes the framed engravings, almost all so everlastingly insulted! Set out, then, dear of them works of art. with which the room was friend, with this charming niece of yours. In adorned. Family miniatures, in oval frames, these chivalrous days ladies are refused nothing. hung round the supports of the pier-glass over When we want to gain a lawsuit we send them the chimney-piece. a to plead with the judges. Whoever wants a "Doubtless Auguste's mother is among these," particular post sets to work at once to secure said Louise. "He must be a good son." their interest. Use yours in this extremity, She noticed every one of those many pretty dear friend." little nothings which young people delight in, Madame de la Claviere, persuaded by this and which are often presents from friends or reeloquent harangue, promised to make the at- membrances of journeys. Nothing escaped her tempt, declaring at the same time, however, rapid glance, and a half-opened door revealed that it would be very painful to her to do so. to her the elegant library of the young man for "Never mind, dear lady. Do not be afraid. whom Julio had so often predicted a brilliant Surely, surely the end justifies the means: look future. at Judith." This little room, in such exquisite order and Louise colored slightly. so gracefully decorated, gave her a high opinion "My dear young lady," continued the old of the moral worth of Auguste Verdelon. fox, " you are not asked to cut off M. Verdelon's Women judge by their instincts; and it is owhead. But surely no harm is done by being- ing to those strange influences which appeal amiable!" rather to the heart than to the head that it hapIt was decided that the following afternoon pens that they are so much more rarely deceived the La Claviere ladies were to call on M. Ver- than men. delon. Verdelon entered the room by the library door, The good old lady, from her weak state of and excused himself forthwith to Madame de la health, and the habit of many years, received Claviere for not having come immediately. He nobody at her house. Her confessor had ac- was thoroughly at his ease, and hastened to recustomed her to this voluntary seclusion, the call the remembrance of the pleasant days he better to preserve her from any influence which had spent at La Claviere in happiest intimacy might counteract that of M. Tournichon. She with them all. He had forgotten nothing; not had become as timid as a child. Consequently even the malicious practical jokes of Miss Louise. she had not accomplished half of the distance So the ground was admirably prepared for the between her house and M. Verdelon's, before forthcoming overtures. It was the old lady's she felt her courage ebbing away at the idea of duty to open the subject. 52 UNDER THE BAN. The courage which she had prayed for had "Save us, Monsieur Verdelon," said Louise, been granted. She detailed in touching terms as she followed her aunt from the door. her anxiety with reference to Julio and his unfortunate pamphlet. She informed Verdelon that an interdict was in store at the palace, that the religious world in the town was greatly agi- CHAPTER III. tated, and that it exercised a powerful influ- ARCHBISHOP. THE NEW~ ARCHBISHOP. ence over the decisions of the vicars-capitular: and that at any moment suspension " a divinis" To the dignified Cardinal de Flammarens(such was the term with which Tournichon had a clever man, overflowing with liberal and genso effectually terrified her that it had stuck erous ideas, which he had suppressed in order in her memory) might be pronounced against to secure ecclesiastical preferment-there suchim. ceeded Pierre Francois Paul le Cricq, senior "I shall never survive," she added, "'Julio's vicar-general of Nevers, and for ten years Bishdishonor; and I shall carry away to the tomb, op of Lucon. Inferior in many respects to the with deepest grief, the thought of the disgrace deceased prelate, he had one undeniable advantwhich it will have brought upon our family age over him, and that was aptitude for most name. What will be the future prospects of skillfully directing the work of the diocese. poor Louise when her brother is in so fearful a Though his mind was not altogether inactive, position? For you can not be ignorant, dear he had little power as an orator, and his episcoM. Verdelon, that, with us, to interdict a priest pal charges were as prosy as that species of litis to degrade him to a convict's position." erature could well be. Hard and close with his Then she proceeded to insinuate, with fair clergy, he still pretended to be just; and if any adroitness, that it was generally understood in one were plucky enough to hold up their heads the town that he, M. Verdelon, had assisted in in his presence, and brave the first terrible onthe preparation of this pamphlet which had set of his wrath, the alarming dignitary softenraised the storm, and that he shared the re- ed down, entered into a compromise, and, insponsibility which would attach to its publica- stead of hurling at the unhappy priest a decision tion. Would it not, then, be easy for him to bristling with future terrors, said, simply, " Rerescue the poor abbe from the frightful punish- turn to your post, I will see to it"-a direction ment that threatened him, but which could not equivalent almost invariably to a full pardon.* affect himself, by alleging his right as having The clergy of T- readily adapted themworked with him at the manuscript, and so ex- selves to this man, who had passed twenty years erting sufficient influence with his friend to pre- of his life in presiding over a large monastery. vent him from proceeding any further in the Father Criquet (such was the nickname he had matter? i received, in accordance with a frequent fashion Verdelon listened with that feeling of filial I in all dioceses) was a tolerable sort of man. He deference, combined with pity and regret, which never took in any great ideas. He was always is always inspired by old age, more especially scribbling, scribbling; but, after he had held his when menaced with some heavy affliction. council and written his letters, he would go in Louise, seated near her aunt, repeated with a complacent spirit, like a good old seminarist, her looks every word that had been spoken; and and have a game at backgammon with one of this accompaniment of the old lady's address his vicars-general or his secretary, assuming that was by no means the least powerful argument his diocese was in the most blissful order and employed. Her expression so holy, yet so repose. wrought up by sorrow, influenced Verdelon with His reputation was spotless. Although at an all but magical power. A terrible struggle his state banquets he paid his respects to excelraged within him. He was too clear-sighted lent wines, yet he never exceeded a condition not to see the advantage he might gain, so far of jovial good humor. He had brought with as the feelings of Louise were concerned, should him from Lucon a young vicar-general and a she find in him Julio's preserver. On the other young secretary. The famous Gaguel had manhand, he was too honorable to deceive Madame aged so skillfully as to secure his own continude la Claviere by promising to avail himself of ance in the office which he held. He had acthose supposed rights which the shrewdness of complished that by a journey which he made to the old lady led her to fancy she had discovered Lucon, immediately after the archbishop's nomnin his connection with the dreaded work. As ination, on which occasion he furnished the new far as the matter itself was concerned, any un- prelate with full particulars concerning all the righteous punishment which Julio might incur clergy in his diocese. The details were so miappeared to him to involve little short of a title to heaven. * The reader will understand that the author, in placing the scene of these transactions in a town in the south However, he could not reasonably refuse to of France, has merely adopted this plan that he might exert his influence with his friend. He engaged have a frame-work for his tale, without intending the to do his best to rescue him, if possible, from slightest allusions to any church dignitaries of the present the impending suspension a divinis. day. Throughout the whole book his portraits are purely imaginary. While he feels himself justified in assailing The ladies rose to leave. The promise had the abuses which have crept into existing institutions, he encouraged them to hope. never degrades himself by personal attacks. HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 53 nute and exact that the archbishop found exe- The day after his installation Monseigneur le cutcd ready to hand a task of great importance, Cricq, faithful to his business ideas, glanced over which would have taken him ten years' super- the list of clergy unemployed, and forwarded a vision of his new diocese before he could have second letter to Julio. accomplished it. Gaguel saw that he was nec- "Palace, T-, 1859. essary to his new master, while the other, con- "REV. SIR,-The vicar of St. Sernin recealing his satisfaction, assumed the air of one quires a fifth curate. You know the importconferring a great favor when he informed him ance of the parish, and the good you may do that he purposed retaining him in his post. Ga- there. I name you to that post, where I hope guel, on the other hand, was equally on the that, under the supervision of authority, your alert, and promised not to lose an hour in re- career will, for the future, be unexceptionable. pairing the neglect which had arisen under the You are still young-profit by the experience of cardinal's administration, convinced fully in his your early errors. Be humble, and God will own mind that, in two or three years, he would bless your ministry. be made a bishop. "Meantime you may reckon on my sincere His secret papers had greatly interested the friendship. PIERRE FRAN9OIS, archbishop. They were as vigorous and accu- "Archbishop of T-." rate as a legal document. And it was the proof Thus did Monseigneur Cricq, by this first act thus afforded of long and patient toil which had of his administration, suppress, with very little excited his admiration. Notorious scandals, hesitation, a man of spirit and fervor. He had mere suspicions, informations, acts of impru- not, in the slightest degree, criticised the quesdence, all were detailed under the head of each tionable details of M. Gaguel. Evidently there name-from the youngest priest to the archpriest was no mercy for Julio from the new ruler: the himself; and that with a sternness of language proposed system of repression was to be carried investing the whole with the character of an in- out. The young man detected at once the indictment. fluences under which the archbishop had writOf course Julio had his place in these clerical ten. He acted in a spirit worthy of himself, statistics: "A dangerous man, with a heated and applied himself modestly to his humble task imagination, proud, full of self-conceit because as a curate. his late eminence, when in his dotage, had un- Monseigneur le Cricq was no more fond of fortunately appointed him secretary of the dio- the Jesuits than his predecessor had been, but cese, handling the word of God irreverently; he was more afraid of them. So after his grand profaning the pulpit by shameful novelties of levee, when all the clergy of the vast diocese doctrine, and so outraging religious feeling in were present to salute the rising sun, his first T-; allied with an irreligious faction, read- official visit was paid to the Provincial. He ing all kinds of books and papers, a sort of free- made the most unreserved protestations of his thinker who ought carefully to have avoided the devotion to the order, and left the establishpriesthood, and who would yet occasion fright- ment enchanted with his performance. fll scandals in the Church-a priest who re- The following day the Provincial paid his required watching, who ought to be kept down spects to the archbishop. The good father came with an iron hand, and confined always to the to pay his highness the same kind of complivery humblest positions in the Church, in order ments as he had received from him the day bethat the irksomeness, the isolation, the absence fore. The archbishop was more affectionate of any opportunity to thrust himself forward even than on the previous occasion. He prommight shroud him in desirable obscurity: the ised to aid the Jesuits to the utmost of his abilleast show of favor, it was urged, would be his ity in the construction of their intended large ruin. He was a new Luther, who ought to be establishment. He passed the warmest eulogisuppressed, unless they were prepared to have ums on their zeal, and reiterated his promise to him setting the Church on fire." yhe whole do all he could to promote an order placed by wound up with a series of little anecdotes and the most holy Pontiffs themselves in the van of protests against a man whose life was as pure Catholicism. as an angel's. Well aware that his address would be accuA week before M. le Cricq's arrival Julio re- rately reported at Rome, he spoke in the warmceived the following letter: est and most grandiloquent terms of the immor"Palace, Lucon, 1859. tal Pio Nono. He applauded extravagantly the "REv. SIR,-I regret to inform you that I great achievements of his reign. He commendhave already disposed of the post of secretary- ed the firmness with which he had opposed himgeneral of the archdiocese of T-. Surround- self to the schemes of the Italian revolution. ed as I am here with friends in my private con- He could speak of nothing but the virtues and fidence, I could not possibly separate myself the sanctity of Pius. He went so far as to say from them in the new post to which, in the prov- that, ill-disposed to wait for the Pope's death, idence of God, I have been called. I hope to he had been tempted often to imitate the examfind you a position adapted to your qualifications ple of St. Theresa, with reference to an exceland tastes. I have, etc. lent man whom she greatly revered, to pray to "PIERRE FRAN90IS, him during his lifetime. The archbishop was "Archbishop of T-." evidently driving at the cardinal's hat. 54 UNDER THE BAN. The Provincial, in his turn, was enthusiastic soul in the expression with which she regarded about all the pretty things said by the archbish- him, provided only that Julio was saved. op before he came to the point which he had at The young man was quite beside himself heart-the pamphlet in the press. with delight. The archbishop knew nothing whatever about " Listen to the first concession I have wrung it. Whether from some hidden motive, or from him," he said, "after long and terrible through negligence, Gaguel had never men- fights; for the dear fellow is inconceivably obtiored it. So the Provincial had to tell him stinate. I seized your idea, madam; so you all the particulars. must have all the credit. I pleaded my rights "I will provide a remedy there," he said, in with reference to the printing. I compelled him reply. to admit that it made no difference to his faith"Your highness will understand that it is ful keeping of his promise to the late cardinal not the interest of our order, so wantonly at- whether the book took his name or mine. I tacked, that has urged us to action, but that of dare not disguise from you that he is still undethe Church at large." cided-not from any silly wish to be an author, "Did I not tell you I would provide a reme- but simply from his desire to be identified with dy? You may reckon on my vigilance, very a publication destined so largely to influence the reverend father." religion of the future. If he makes the sacrifice And the Provincial, kneeling, humbly re- I have urged upon him, it will be owing to his ceived the archiepiscopal blessing, and retired. grateful devotion to his beloved aunt and his deJulio hastened to the modest post which had voted attachment to his sister; but let me assure been assigned to him. The fifth curate of St. you it will cost him dear." Sernin exchanged his sumptuous apartment at Verdelon had been discreet enough to prothe archiepiscopal palace for a little lodging at tract a little his negotiation with Julio. You the entrance of the Rue du Taur, near the place see it was intimately connected with his loveSt. Raymond. Verdelon was greatly taken up making, inasmuch as it involved sundry visits with the request he had received to endeavor to to a certain abode which was ever open to him turn his friend from the proposed publishing. now. However little he got out of Julio, they He had already commenced his attack by mak- would be none the less under an obligation to ing certain propositions to Julio, to which he him, and he knew well that gratitude is a fahad not appeared wholly averse. Verdelon lost mous hand at helping on love. no time in communicating to Madame de la Cla- Meanwhile the humiliation of Julio was the' viire and Louise this promise of success, proba- talk of the town. The small bigoted sect, jealbly because he thought it right, possibly because ous priests, Gaguelites and Jesuits, were wild it seemed rather long since he had seen the with delight. young lady. Since their visit his passion in "The eminent metropolitan orator!" they that quarter had become deeper than ever. He said, scoffingly —"the confidant of the late carregarded the study where he had received Lou- dinal -the fifth curate of St. Sernin! Verypretise as a sanctuary, and he was forever renewing ty! The finger of God is there! He knows in his memory the little passage of affection. how to deal with the proud doer." Do not smile at his enthusiasm, reader; it For Julio, among the meekest of men, was touched the most serious business in life, on the most self-satisfied in the estimation of this which all earthly happiness hinges. Pharisaic host-thanks to the stigma which GaThe ladies were impatient to know the result guel had attached to him. of Verdelon's efforts. Madame said slily that The more distinguished people of the town, he was a long time before he called. however, held a different opinion. Independ"Don't be alarmed, dear aunt; he is polite- ent of little factions, there were in the magisness itself," Louise would reply. tracy, at the bar, in science, among the professors This, then, was their one great subject of in- in arts, men who represented worthily the great terest. They had not felt much the banish- city, and w'ho brought credit to the capital of ment of Julio from the palace. They felt con- the south. These men occasionally were carefident that, surrounded as he was by enemies, ful to express their opinion of Julio. They spoke he would scarcely be represented to the new of the profound impression which his eloquent archbishop in the most favorable colors. So as sermon had produced upon their minds. They they knew his talents, they did not fear for his observed that such talents were too rare not to future. But the present trouble, the terrible be fostered among the clergy. Nor did they fail anguish which they so acutely felt, was the to let the archbishop know that they considered threatened interdict of Father Briffard. By a Julio's nomination to the fifth curacy of St. sort of intuitive instinct they had come to re- Sernin an act of revenge on the part of M. Gagugard the man whose yoke they had worn so long el, and a concession extorted from his highness. as the bitterest persecutor of their house. These representations were not lost on this When Verdelon at length called his visit was exalted personage. It was his chief game to received as a godsend. The mild eyes of the exercise a favorable influence over the official old lady were full of maternal tenderness; while world, whose sentiments reach ministers daily, Louise, with her clear, bright gaze, seemed as and so build up the reputation of those who rethough she would have given him her whole ceive in consequence the favors of the Govern HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 55 ment. Of course, tile archbishop's great anxie- memories as these are ever tenderly cherished. ty was to obtain, like his predecessor, a cardinal's Julio paid a visit to his aunt and sister the night hat. Now, to be a cardinal in France, two before their departure. Ile was in that mood things are required, which, to a man of mere that finds most relief in heart to heart converaverage ability, are by no means easy - first, sation, when a warm, loving, sympathizing look to secure the favor of Government, which re- is so well calculated to sweeten the cup of sorquires a man of extreme moderation; and, next, row. Order your life as you will, seize all that the favor of Rome, which insists upon the Pope position, power, and intellect can give you, if and his temporals before every other living thing. you have never known what it is to unbosom Facts prove that men are found skillful enough your soul in loving confidence, you have been to meet the difficulty. The art of arriving at unfortunate indeed. You have never tasted real the cardinalate has been thoroughly described in love-in its noblest form the soul of human life, the memorable verses of the fabulist: eternal as the life that shall ever be, and the I am a bird, you see my wings; eternal God from whom it comes. Ignorant of I am a mouse, and rats are kings. its real charm, what can you really know of hapLong live the rats I piness? So the concluding life of this prelate, who, al- Julio's grand idea was a sister's love. What most in his seventieth year, had been translated cared he that he was no longer archiepiscopal to one of the finest bishoprics in France, was con- secretary? Were not his present lodgings as sumed in the miserable attempt to flatter Rome good to him as the costly apartments he had and the Jesuits, and at the same time to keep in resigned? Was he less distinguished as fifth favor at Paris, with the consciousness that if he curate of St. Sernin than when a cardinal of were too civil in this last quarter he would seal France was bowing before him, and tendering his fate in the first. He concluded his conver- him a sinner's confession, and a bishop's acsation with various people on the subject of knowledgment of unprincipled ambition? HapJulio, by observing that the young man required pily for him, he had not founded his happiness careful managing; but, in his own mind, he on human greatness, and so he had not been felt he had been a little too hasty in espousing "made ashamed" when his honors fell from his the animosities of Gaguel. shoulders. To him whose expectation is from The time was spring-a glorious spring. The God, who is guided in every thing by the rule town, magnificently situated on the green banks of an enlightened conscience, what matters the of a clear-flowing river, was being embosomed in criticism of the multitude? It was, indeed, the beauty of opening foliage. Trees, shrubs, pleasant rest to him to leave the fruitless and and flowers expanded laughingly under the fierce distracting troubles of ambition to the archpriest sun of the south, whose rays, however, were tem- of the cathedral, who was already turning from pered by the neighboring Pyreneean snows. The him as henceforth unable to serve him; to Gahealth of Madame de la Claviere having been guel, who continued to favor him with treachgreatly tried by the recent troubles of Julio, and erous smiles, and Monseigneur le Cricq, who requiring greater care and watching every day, would never rest till his crimson had changed her physician ordered her into the country for to purple, and who, he knew, was temporizing change of air. Before they set out Verdelon with him, because he dreaded the effect that called to tell them that Julio had consented to would be produced at Paris by the tidings that remove his name from the forthcoming pam- he had been at war with a virtuous and intelliphlet, agreeing that the preface should be signed gent young priest. They might follow up their by Verdelon only, who was in reality the author eager ambitions-it was their line. He saw of it, and orders had been sent to Paris to that life under a very different aspect. If he could effect. Verdelon further promised to endeavor count on Louise's sisterly affection; if, during to persuade Julio to some further concession, his future life, he might reckon on one loving which should effectually put him out of the reach and devoted heart; if, in his heavier hours of of censure. sorrow, there were but that one to come and say This second visit was exceedingly welcome to to him, " God has given me to thee: what ails the old lady. She conceived a warm affection thee now?" if he had but this one blessing for her nephew's devoted and energetic friend; granted he asked for nothing more. and, on tiling him of her intended visit to La To this point Julio's most powerful feelings Claviere, begged that he would soon come and were directed. Though troubling himself very see her; an invitation which he declared him- little about common affairs, he saw clearly that self only too ready to accept, as soon as he had his aunt's extensive property would fall into the any further tidings to communicate. clutches of Father Briffard. He had made up The young advocate returned home more his mind that the Jesuits should not have their smitten than ever with Louise, whose beauty hundred thousands for nothing, though he had was at that time blossoming daily. He indulged never staked his own or Louise's happiness on in the delightful dream of a visit to the old coun- this brilliant fortune. He always saw in prostry house, where once before, clothed it is true in pect an humble presbytery, which no one else the clerical dress, he had enjoyed such a pleas- would care to have, and whither he would be ant welcome, where his first emotion of love had sent for want of a better nominee, or possibly been experienced, and places linked with such from some misgiving sense of wrong at the ~~~56 ~UNDER TtHE BAN. thought of the wrong done to him. Provided'possibly escape the thunders of denunciation, only he had with him there his beloved Louise, and Julio an anathema. And this Verdelon, lie asked nothing more from the higher powers at his last visit, led them to hope. in the church. He came full of smiles, bringing good news; The day that he went to say good-by his aunt Julio had been inflexible upon one point-that and sister were unable to disguise their delight of maintaining, at all risks, the scrupulous fidelat what Verdelon's mediation had accomplished. ity which he had originally brought to his task, "He has been truly kind," said the old lady. so that he might be the accurate interpreter of "What a generous disposition he has!" the thoughts of his illustrious master; but in chimed in Louise, and a slight blush accompa- every other particular he had been willing to nied the exclamation, so like a quasi-confession yield. A prefatory note announced that, though of love, which none but her brother, who loved the book was a correct record of the sentiments her so tenderly, could have detected. of the deceased cardinal, it was nevertheless sub"But it is for your sakes, understand, and mitted to the ecclesiastical authorities with evnot for his, that I have given in so far as to ery sentiment of deference and respect. Only withhold my name from the pamphlet." Verdelon's name appeared at the end of the "Oh, we know that," said his aunt; "you preface. might do more still," she added, timidly. "Let us get it off our hands," Julio had said. Julio managed to evade her appeal, being "They want the copy to print: I'll send it toanxious to avoid all dispute with her in her del- day. The book will be out this week." icate state of health. So the kind-hearted diplomatist had, to apIt was arranged that any holidays he could pearances, triumphed as far as possible. Indeed, obtain from his new duties should be spent at he pressed upon them so earnestly the belief that La Claviere. There was his library there-his there was nothing more to fear for Julio, in conprivate room-as retired as a hermitage, and nection with the publication, that he began at those who loved him would be present to sweet- last to believe it himself. en all. Country visits, even at a quiet, regular estab-.Julio spun out this evening visit as long as he lishment like La Claviere, have their little neccould. lie visibly endeavored to compensate to essary variations, and Madame de la Claviere the aunt he so tenderly loved for the anxiety he naturally asked Verdelon to dinner. As she had caused her, while his unrestraint with Louise could not go any distance from her room with was a thorough refreshment to him. In the fatigue, the business of lionizing him over the. few moments of private conversation which the pretty little English park with which the charmthoughtful old lady contrived that they should ing residence was surrounded, devolved upon have he renewed to her those assurances of Louise. This park was very dear to her: Julio brotherly devotion which, when they are given had designed it, and she had watched over the by the upright and the brave, are never incon- carrying out of the. plans. It was she who, at stunt as those from inferior characters. From her brother's suggestions, had arranged the disthe very time that his struggles and persecu- posal of the plantations, and traced out the windtions commenced he had felt that he needed a ing walks among the old trees. The keeping up heart full of sisterly sympathy to sustain him in the lawns, and the care of an artificial pond, his escape with a bruised and all but broken stored with gold and silver fish, and constructed heart from that state of siege in which his formi- among the rocks and aquatic plants, so as to look dable enemies were resolved to place him. like a little lake, were. the favorite occupations of this graceful girl, whose beauty threw around her wherever she went an irresistible fascination. CHAPTER IV. Who could wonder at the girlish glee with which she wished to show off all these attracPUBLICATION OF THE RELIGIOUS OPINIONS OF tions? Verdelon, his heart throbbing with the CARDINAL DE FLAMMARENS. ecstasy of first love, followed the simple, truthVERDELON speedily paid his promised visit at fill, merry maid, beneath whose feet the grass La Claviere, drawn there, as is well known, by blades scarcely bent, through those self-same an irresistible attraction. Women are naturally spots that he had explored before whe] the paininquisitive; and if he was welcomed heartily, ful struggle was going on in his bosom as to both by the elder and the younger lady, it was whether he should be a priest or not. There the doubtless owing, in some measure, to their anx- imprudent youth had contemplated the charmer iety to see the development of the drama in in all the bloom of her beauty, and had bared which Julio was so deeply involved. The ques- his spirit to those sweet influences of love which tion with them was, would that dreadful pam- she was ever diffusing around her as flowers difphlet appear? On that point, however, they fuse their perfume. The thought of her had felt tolerably confident: it remained to be con- had great weight in inducing him to return to sidered whether, after important corrections, aft- the world; and now he might declare himself er additions tending to weakei its effect on the in the very place where the fire of his love had religious public, above all, after the name of the first been kindled. Twenty times the magic principal author had been withdrawn, it might words, "Louise, I love you!" were on the tip HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 57 of his tongue; twenty times over, when the fair pretending to be intellectual in thought or style, girl descanted on some supreme beauty of na- spoke of it with interest. They praised the dead ture, Verdelon was all but ready to fall on his cardinal for the humble boldness with which lhe knees before her exclaiming, "Nature's master- had made such an admission to so young a piece is yourself!" However, the word was left priest. They congratulated him on his good unspoken. Was it from that timidity which fortune in having his views recorded by one shrinks from a first avowal? or that high sense whose first sermon had placed him among the of honor dictating that Madame de la Claviere most distinguished orators of the land, and who should be consulted first? Nothing of the sort. promised to be equally conspicuous as an author. The human heart is full of strange contradic- It was at once understood that though the work tions. Verdelon felt confident that his love was bore Verdelon's name it was in reality Julio's returned. But already intoxicated with hopes work; and Julio rose higher than ever in the of glory and fortune himself, with no other re- estimation of these men for the fidelity with sources than those which he derived from his which he had recorded his old patron's opinions, profession, he had entirely repudiated the idea and for the modesty with which he had waved of marrying any woman, however much he might all connection with the graceful production of love her, who hadn't a brilliant fortune. So his pen. " Iis conduct is admirable!" was the there was a struggle within. Some expressions commonjudgment. If therewere but many such of Julio had led him to believe that Father Brif- among the clergy, what a mighty influence they fard had positive designs on the noble fortune of would have in the world! Madame de la Claviere. He knew the thorough In other quarters, however, very different landisintercstedness of his friend; he knew even guage was held. The cardinal's revolutionary better the skill of the Jesuits in kidnapping for- ideas, his self-condemnation, his animadversions tunes without laying themselves open to success- on the system pursued by the higher order of the ful prosecution. A lawsuit therefore for its re- clergy, the stinging chastisement which the book covery was not an agreeable prospect to a young inflicted on the Jesuits, enraged the bigoted secman by no means ignorant of their powers of tion of the community, and drove many to the cajoling. All these thoughts passed through his wildest extremes of indignation. The most famind like a breath of cold wind. Soft love- vorably disposed even of the clergy pronounced vows were repressed by pounds, shillings, and it a utopian affair-the delusion of a dying old pence; he was the courteous gentleman, she the man; while the authenticity of the pamphlet dutiful niece, whose aunt must not be left too was questioned. Some complained that the long-both mutual fiiends, who really ought to Abbe Julio, the sole witness of the so-called congo back to the drawing-room. fession, had not ventured to put his name; he The truth was, his love was enveloped in his had made use of that of a fiiend, knowing well interests; but notiing betrayed the hidden strife that the whole thing was a fiction which he to the eyes of Louise. She, with the frank, could disown when he chose by a simple denial. guileless unreserve with which she had reveled Anonymous letters deluged the humble fifth cuin flowers and gold fish reveled in Augustus. rate of St. Strnin. Some went so far in their As soon as he had taken leave and she had kissed charity as to treat him to even coarser abuse; her aunt and bade her good-night she retired to others quietly threatened him with the flames of her room, almost stifled with sobs, her eyes over- hell; while there were a few who sighed after flowing with tears and her bosom heaving with the good old time-the brave days of the Inquiemotions entirely new to her. One name, al- sition, when this blasphemy of the Most High ways the same-one image, no variety-were | would have been summarily avenged, and the ever before her. She threw herself on her couch, blasphemer chained to a stake in the Place du conscious, for the first time, that she was over Capitole, where, surrounded by Jcsuits and exhead and ears in love. ecutioners, he might have laid down his accursed Meanwhile the editor of the new pamphlet, life in the midst of the flames. Of course Julio anxious to profit by its celebrity, had urged its treated these pleasant amenities of the religious publication with all possible dispatch. An im- world much as they deserved. mense pile of them arrived at T-. Great Among these letters, by way of set-off to pasyellow posters covered the walls, and advertise- sionate ultramontane invectives, was one from ments inserted in large print on the fourth page the Bishop of A-, which it would be desiraof the newspapers, gave to the book complete ble to insert. Louis Augustus Dclpont was one publicity. It was quite an event in the town. of the youngest bishops in France. He had Copies were snatched up as fast as they appeared, known Julio well at T-, where he had been and booksellers had to meet fresh applications canon of the cathedral. His published argument with the answer that a second edition was on its against the eccentric views of the Abbe Gaume way sufficiently large to meet all demands on on the subject of classics, and a[tefense of the the spot and in the neighborhood. The general Gallican liturgy against Don Gueranger, abbe curiosity had been so vividly excited that great of Solesmes, derived from manuscripts left by the interest was naturally aroused in the subject of Cardinal d'Astros, the predecessor of the Carthe views which the work set forth. There were dinal du Flammarens, had rendered the Abbe two sets-the literary, and independent. Edu- Delpont a marked man. So when the Governcated men, disposed to smile on any thing at all, ment, with whom the ultramontane party found 58 UNDER THE BAN. little favor, wanted a bishop for A-, they of the angry storm. It will be readily underpicked out the young canon, who, moreover, had stood that the Jesuits set no bounds to their been warmly recommended by the prefect of the wrath when they found they could not stop the Ilaut-Garonne as an enlightened, unpretending issue of the detested publication. They disman of liberal sentiments, who would never make patched envoy after envoy-all men of mark in cause with a clerical faction whose antagonism the town-to the poor terrified archbishop, with was developing daily. the same old appeal-" Monseigneur, have you The bishop had kept up very friendly relations read this book? Is it not horrible? Ought not with Julio. His letter on the present occasion this unprincipled priest, who has presumed to was in the following terms: write such things, to be visited with an interdict? Monseigneur, the whole town is bristling "MY VERY DEAR ABBE,-I have just received with indignation at the scandal." from T- a singular publication. Though it The archbishop, whose temper naturally was does not bear your name, still its subject-matter, none of the sweetest, fairly boiled over at these made known to you only, could not have been renewed assaults. He made no secret of his recorded by any one but yourself. You have recorded byany one but ourself. You ha indignation at the work. He gave reiterated acted very wisely in withholding your signature, assurances that he would make the author smart as otherwise the book would have involved you for it. It was a day of triumph for the sons in endless persecution. Dear Abbe, you are a of St. Tgnatius. The rascal who had attacked brave man; I can not help congratulating you their holy order would pay dear for his whistle on your high spirit and generous aspirations. I -would be expelled from the diocese-and serve have wept over the humble confessions and no- as a wholesome warning to any one who should ble thoughts of that dear old cardinal to whom I dream in after-time, of attempting to unveil owe so much. Thanks for this charming book; their skillful tactics, or expose their ambition it shall be my vade-mecum; and if I ever yield to the world. to those failings which this good man deplores Four lines-of studied brevity and most causin the immediate prospect of appearing before tic rudeness-arrived at the presbytery of St. his Judge, this pamphlet will recall me to self- Sernin, requiring Julio to present himself at respect and a due sense of the dignity of my the palace the next day, at twelve o'clock puncoffice.tually' Please keep my letter a profound secret, or, A night's reflection is never lost, especially better still, burn it as soon as you have read it. on men accustomed, by a long habit of caution, I am surrounded with gentlemen who have an to be on their guard against first impressions. average allowance of fanaticism, and were I to The archbishop had learned, in the brief interbe at war with them I should destroy all my in- val after the receipt of those angry protests, that fluence as bishop without in any way furthering Julio's book was valued highly in the literary the cause of truth. This is a time of painful world. It had been ascertained that the work transition. Fools must have their day, and had excited an enthusiastic feeling in favor of when the world has had enough ofheir absurd- a priest capable of producing such a masterities we shall of necessity relapse into modera-piece of thought and diction, and that his name tion and good sense. I am sufficiently juvenile was in every body's moutf. It had reached his as a bishop to hope that that day may dawn in ears, moreove, that te Cardinal d Flammamy own lifetime. We may well afford to leav s, moreover, that the Cardinal de Flammamy own lifetime. We may well afford to leave rens was extolled to the skies at this posthuGaume,Veuillot, and others of the same kidney, mous revelation of his sentiments, which had to their pitiful work of stirring up religious ani-thrilled, with the interest of a romance, the mosities, while we grasp the olive of peace, in minds of educated men. Would it not, then, readiness for that day when men will have be- be imprudent, he, argued with himself, to outgun to discover that our Lord Jesus Christ is rage the generalfeeling of a lage town in fanot a Jupiter Tonans, but the Lamb of God sent r t ge f of a l not a Jupiter Tonans, but the Lamb of God sent vor of an opposition to ideas which were, after into the world full of grace and truth. all, matters for difference of opinion, and which "Adieu, dear Abbe! Be strong and very (as he himself felt) infringed in no way on the courageous. You are a bold man, but don't be doctrines of the Church-which every bishop is hasty. Meantime my prayer shall be that cer- pledged to uphold in his diocese? tain grievous wolves in the bosom of the Church So he resolved at once to please both parties. may not be permitted to tear you with their He proceeded at once to cast about for a middle cruel teeth. Once more; strict and perpetual course, by which he might empower himself to silence, I entreat you, on the subject of this let- assure his clergy and the fanatical party, with ter. I should never forgive you if you breathe affected adherence to their feelings, that he had the fact of my having written it, even to your severely rebuked the offender, and forced him most intimate friend. to submission, though he was unwilling to adopt "My love and blessing, dear Abbe, the extreme measure of extorting from him a "Lou ishop of AT, degrading recantation. The scene, however, was absolutely terrible This letter was a balm to Julio's gentle and when Julio entered the archiepiscopal sanctum sensitive spirit; yet it did but precede the tem- with the serenity of a conscience thoroughly at pest, as drops of tender rain herald the avalanche ease. HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 59 "So, so, Sir, you have written a most out- the sentiments of the prelate, and the humble rageous book?" individual who has recorded those sentiments, "Monseigneur, I am at a loss to understand whose orthodoxy it was not his province to disyou." Cuss." "I tell you that this book of yours-in which The archbishop appeared a little softened and you make my excellent predecessor the speaker somewhat convinced by Julio's last appeal. -is most disgraceful." If I understand you rightly, then, you are "Monseigneur, I have nothing to say to your willing to submit to whatever judgment the opinion of it; but if I have recorded faithfully Pope may pronounce on this book, which you the sentiments and utterances of the late car- attribute to Monseigneur de Flammarens?" dinal, I repeat that I can not understand how "With all my heart, monseigneur." my book can be disgraceful." "Be it so, then; let the matter rest there. "Enough, Sir; enough. You forget to whom Give me a declaration to this effect under your you are speaking. It's idle to attempt to palm hand." off such assertions on me. Your object has "At once, monseigneur." been to earn a reputation for yourself, and to And the archbishop, as soon as he was placed use a great name for pushing forward your in a tenable position by this document, dismissown." ed Julio with apparent kindness. The same "I swear, monseigneur, in the presence of evening, however, a great concourse of clergy that God who hears us both, that there is not whom he knew to be devoted to the Jesuits, a word in these pages which is not the cardi- being assembled in his drawing-room, he made nal's; and, apart from those differences of style a great talk of the severe reprimand he had adwhich are unavoidable when one man reproduces ministered to "that infatuated young priest." the thoughts of another, I assure you with equal He added that, being unwilling to destroy his solemnity that I have added nothing to what fell prospects forever, he had compassioned his from his lips. If I reproached myself at all it youth, and contented himself with an explicit would be with having diluted the strength of his retractation, which shifted the responsibility of sentiments and expressions." judging the matter from his own shoulders to " Then you ought never to have recorded it. a synod at Rome of his episcopal brethren. You shall pay dear for having yielded to this That last phrase was his secret reliance. It miserable temptation to rush into print, since was thoroughly significant. The master had you acknowledge that the publication is yours." spoken. " I am quite ready to suffer whatever disgrace or ignominy may await me, monseigneur; but having received the commands of a dying man, CHAPTER V. and pledged my honor, I was bound to discharge the obligation and keep my word."MEIT AGED SIXTEEN "But the faith, Sir, the faith!" THE priestly version of the issue of Julio's "I am not to judge the faith of Monseigneur connection with the pamphlet was speedily de Flammarens. IIe was my superior, and I noised abroad in the town. Those given to never dared to impugn it." sheltering their misdeeds under the cloak of "Exactly-the faith of an old man in a fit authority were not slow in proclaiming that the of apoplexy. You listened to the wanderings abbe had been severely rebuked by the archof his mind when he was.delirious. You en- bishop, and only retained his office from the riched them out of your own imagination, my good prelate's compassion for his youth and inpoor Abbe, and you have plenty of that. It's experience. Others, wiser in their generation, just this and nothing more, do you see?" perceived the archbishop's drift, and continued "Pardon me, monseigneur, it's true I am to show the greatest attention to the young very young; but I have studied a little those curate. The world in general, not being given medical questions which concern our ministry, to ecclesiastical subtleties, rejoiced in the credand I positively affirm that never had a man itable way in which Julio had come out of the more complete possession of all his faculties dispute. They knew that the archbishop's dethan the cardinal on recovering from his first cision had been arrived at as a matter of prustroke. You may assure yourself on that head dence, and was paraded before the priestly party by appealing to Dr. Peuch, whom you would as an act of clemency; and they held it to be not suspect of an untruth." merely just and right. So the tempest calmed "Well, even admitting all that, this book down by degrees; and as Julio, incapable of can not be allowed to rest whereit is. It has vindictive feeling, was as kindly and cordial to scandalized the religious world. There are sen- all as he had ever been, his enemies appeared timents in it which verge upon heresy." to be disarmed, and peace to be restored to that "Monseigneur, I am neither archbishop, Pope, unobtrusive life devoted so nobly to the care of nor church. I have simply discharged a duty the poor, the suffering, and the destitute. toward a dying man. Chastise his doctrines This quiet time, however, was not of long if you will; that is your business. Archbishop duration. The discord, which had only veiled and cardinal though he was, the Church is the itself, soon revived. Julio's enemies saw that judge of his opinions. But separate between he was simple and straightforward in all he 60 UNDER THE BAN. said, and incapable even of those harmless de- of Julio reminding him of his right as a parent, vices by which malice is thwarted, and occasion and filling him with lively apprehensions for the removed whereon their reproaches might fasten. future, he allowed his child to follow the bent Two circumstances, which, in the case of any of her inclination. one else, would have passed by unnoticed, were The religious world commented enthusiasticdragged forward and grossly misrepresented by ally on this instance of self-sacrifice in one so his malicious opponents. The Jesuit spies, as young. The mystics recalled the earliest ages may readily be supposed, never left him. His of the Church, when even little children lived private life, his visits, his ministerial utterances, the cloistered life. They reckoned greatly, too, in the sacristy of St. Sernin, even in the con- on the influence such an example would have in fessional, his intercourse with Verdelon, with alluring young people from the world to a simigeneral society in the town, all were reported lar course. daily at the establishment of the Inquisition. Meanwhile, men of sober thought and matured An event of considerable importance was at mind bewailed the want of judgment which was this time creating a great stir in T-. Even leading the priests of all the various societies to the largest provincial towns are like little vil- immure in their convents young girls who knew lages, where, failing political excitement and nothing of the world, and were utterly disqualianxiety as to the condition of the country at fled to decide between a married or single life. large, no revolution being communicated by There were others who were greatly amused at telegraph, and the prophecies of inspired females the penetration of Father Athanasius in discovannouncing a sudden destruction of Paris by a ering in a child of fourteen a vocation for the celestial judgment similar to that which befell austerities of a Carmelite life. Young men were the Cities of the Plain, being as yet unrealized, exasperated at the fondness of religious orders the next best occupation is to collect gossip, and for hurrying society into a parcel of convents. scandal, and all the various adventures of which "They are taking away all the marriageable chambermaids and housekeepers are full. girls," they said; "when shall we be rid of The story at this present abroad was as fol- these bothering monks?" It was well known lows: A charming young girl, an angel aged that a young man of most distinguished family, sixteen, belonging to a wealthy family in the and whose fiiends were on terms of intimacy town, was on the point of forsaking the world, with those of the novice, had been violently atnot with a view of devoting herself to the care tached to her, and that the two fathers had for of the sick and poor in a hospital, but of en- a long time favored the idea of a marriage betombing herself alive in a Carmelite convent. tween a pair so suited to each other in age and The tale, increasing as it circulated, developed circumstances. "The family is ruining itself," itself at last into a small romance, which trav- they exclaimed; "'a father's authority goes erscd the town, creating various impressions ac- for nothing. A highly-enlightened individual cording to the various opinions of those who comes forth from his cell to settle the gravest heard it. interests of outside life. He lords it over wives This child had had as her spiritual guide from and mothers whom the Gospel'and the Church her earliest years a certain Carmelite priest, by have solemnly invested with the right of govname Athanasius. Her entire knowledge of the erning their families as reason and experience world might be summed up under three heads- require." her father's house, her parish church, and the Excitement was up to boiling pitch on every chapel of the Carmelites. Father Athanasius, side, when the news went forth that the day on the confessor of the girl's mother, had had no which this young girl was to take the veil was trouble in persuading her that God demanded irrevocably fixed for the 1st March, 1859. The fiom her, as from Abraham, the voluntary sacri- vicar of St. Sernin, a venerable old man, who fice of her daughter. Two years ago he had had baptized her, was to preside on the occasolemnly announced that this was her divinely sion, for which great preparations were being appointed destiny. The father, a worthy Chris- made. The chapel of the Carmelites was draped tian man, a member of the vestry of St. Sernin, with hangings of dazzling white. Garlands of was not exactly disposed to take this view of white roses adorned the altar screen, and the matters; but being rather irresolute, he dreaded cornices of the pillars, and encircled the pedesthe anger of his wife, who would tolerate no tal of the pulpit. Innumerable tapers, arranged trifling with the Carmelite's decision. More- symmetrically before the altar, produced an efover, he was afraid of the opinion of the bigoted feet of fairyland. Of course the preacher of the party, so powerful in the town, and was loth to day was to be Father Athanasius. be pointed at by priests and enthusiasts as hav- And now a numerous and select audience has ing opposed the proper calling of his child. filled the chapel. The tapers shine; the office One day, however, at the vicarage of St. Sernin, of the Church is being solemnly chanted by the at the close of a vestry meeting, he consulted recluses hidden behind a black railing in the inwith Julio, for whom he had conceived a very nermost part of the building, bristling with long high respect, and whose zeal in the discharge of iron spikes, and covered on the monastery side his sacred office he had frequently observed. with a thick curtain. The postulant, gorgeousBut his desire to resist the threatened step went ly attired in bridal dress, is on her knees on a no further; and in spite of the earnest entreaty prie Dieu in the choir. Her sponsors stand on HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 61 her right and left, charged with handing her heroic courage in one so weak. Happy the moover to the Carmelites. Two enormous lights, ther who has given such a child to the Church! encircled with roses, burn on either side of her. Happy child!-like another St. Agnes, who in The father and mother are in front of the in- the days of persecution never flinched from her closure reserved for the families invited. All executioners as she uttered the energetic words, eyes are fixed on the child, and the look of'I am a Christian!' Wherefore I should falsify amazement is universal. It is hard to believe the inmost feelings of my soul, and even the that one so little can be sixteen years old; and sacred trust of my office, did I not emphatically each one asks himself with a painful anxiety, say,'Daughter, you have done well!' scarcely restrained even by the sanctity of the "At the same time we, who lay before you place, how that young thing would ever be able the prudence of the Church and her counsels to brave the fearful rigor of the life she has to wise deliberation, are constrained to set side chosen. by side with the encouragements due to so early The last clouds of incense were ascending to a self-dedication, that salutary advice which the vault of the chapel, creating, as they diffused may well admonish you in your, perhaps, too their enwreathed volumes, that uncertain twi- hasty resolve. light so strange in its influence over enthusiastic "If there are examples of like sacrifice to spirits. yours, and time has proved that they were inThe celebrant, preceded by the clergy, laid spired by God, I am in duty bound to tell you, aside his sacerdotal vestments in the sacristy. at the same time, that these examples are beFather Athanasius prepared to mount the pulpit, coming rarer and rarer. And now I ask you, and the audience, before arranging themselves are you thoroughly convinced that yours is one in front, so as better to hear what he had to say, of those exceptional cases? cast one more look of winning tenderness on the " And I ask you further, would that present little one who had resumed her seat, and with desire of yours depart, if, instead of precipitatcolorless cheeks and downcast eyes was await- ing your entrance into a living tomb, you tcok ing the exhortation to be delivered to her by her some years to try yourself before the world, of spiritual father at this eventful moment. which then you would have a riper experience, Soon there was a deep silence, when suddenly as to whether you are really called upon to bid an unusual disturbance attracts universal notice. it farewell for ever? All rise and turn their gaze in the direction of "And once more I would ask, whether, frail the sacristy. Then there is a great stir among and delicate as you are, you think it would be the clergy, and loud confusion. No one can wise to inflict on yourself the rough discipline understand what the uproar means, or what is of severe penance, which is the absolute essenhappening. Reverence for the place forbids con- tial of a convent life?" versation, but anxious inquiring glances are After having thus propounded his chief quesfreely interchanged. The celebrant beckons the tion, the orator, in a series of glowing sentences, father to come to him. Evidently he is called unfolded to his audience the great truth that to decide in some matter of the greatest import- common paths are safest; that the sublimest ance. Silence again after the violent disturb- calling was a mother's; that the Middle Ages, ance. in aiming to palm off as the acme of a Christian In a few moments the father returns to his life cloistered seclusion, with its accompanying seat. The priests, with a sort of scared look, scourgings and isolation, had caricatured the true and trying in vain to conceal their bewilder- idea of real perfection; that those notions which ment, resume their places in the sanctuary. had excited heroic spirits and produced saints Five minutes of painful suspense ensue. Sud- suited a time when it was necessary to arrest denly the outer door looking to the pulpit is the popular attention by the spectacle of a fearthrown open, but no Father Athanasius appears ful austerity, and had little hold on a world to the astounded audience. It is the Abbd Julio. which, returning to another and less dismal Having knelt down reverently for a moment, he creed, preferred the giving a cup of cold water rose and spoke as follows: to the needy, the care of little ones, the instruction of outcasts, ministering to the sick, before "MY CHILD,-A most painful circumstance, hair-cloths, self-laceratings, and iron chains. which you will hear of in a few moments, has Again addressing the girl, he gave her to led me, at the request of the reverend superior understand that she was entering an order which, of this convent, and also of your excellent fa- in addition to its pre-eminent rigor,:aided in no ther, to address you on an occasion destined to way the development of human activity, and perinfluence forever your future life. My task is petuating thus the most ultra traditions of the simple and easy. You are prepared to conse- medieval period, made no allowance for that crate to God your youth and your entire being; exuberant tendency of youth to vent itself in and it is among the daughters of St. Theresa- those innocent enjoyments in which abundant to a career marked by the utmost austerity and feeling finds a ready outlet. mortification-that you are about to consum- " The sister of charity," he observed, in conmate this sacrifice. elusion, "renounces one family only to create " Your idea is sublime, and there is no one for herself another, in a long experience amidst present but unites with me in admiring such surrounding distress. If it be true that God 62 UNDER THE BAN. should have all our love, there is still, by the Strange to say, the mother herself, who had very constitution of our being, a law we can not almost urged on this unnatural sacrifice, so long evade. In part, our affections belong to the as Father Athanasius retained her under his insphere which surrounds us. The sister of char- fluence, suddenly veered round, and probing her ity does but diffuse that affection over a more conscience (for she was, after all, an upright woextended class of objects. She does not love man), discovered that she had succumbed to exthem all with the mighty love that binds a mo- travagant fanaticism. "My child," she said to ther to her children, but she does not the less the young girl, who consulted her with a glance, satisfy, in a thousand unknown ways, that yearn- "your are free;" and, emboldened by this deing of the soul which, if it be denied exercise, cision, the father added, in a loud voice, "Don't consigns it to empty regrets, or a mournful bar- you think we had better go home?" renness of heart." The effect produced in the chapel by this His peroration was simple and touching. original occurrence was of the very highest sen"My poor child, you do indeed challenge our sational order. Obviously the holy sisters besympathy! Is it possible to regard you un- hind the railing were in the dark in every sense. moved-arrayed for a fete which in a few hours The next moment the father had ordered a cab will be the commencement of a life-long agony? to the convent door for his wife and daughter, There are great weaknesses in the human heart while he himself in a brief interview explained -in the hearts even of those guileless spirits to the superior that he preferred waiting a little which are most conscious of worthlessness be- longer, if it was all the same to him, before he fore God! How do you know that, even sup- deposited his child on the Carmelite altar. posing in a few months, before pronouncing the The public, attracted by any thing in the irrevocable vows, you had the courage to crush shape of sight-seeing, were edified by the specout these instincts, though your conscience tacle of the young girl issuing forth in her bridal would not summon you to the task, there might attire, and leaning on the arm of her mother. not enter even then into your soul a whisper, There was an almost irrepressible burst of apwarning you that you had been too hasty, that plause; and what finished off the whole affair, you had followed the impulse of an unenlight- and made it the completest thing in dramas, ened zeal? My child, this would be fearful! was the news that Father Athanasius had been There is time yet! Under the care of a pious seized with a terrible attack of apoplexy just as mother, and the watchful eye of the kindest and he was on the point of entering the pulpit. best of fathers, you may yet learn more of the It is easy to imagine the noise that this inciworld and more of yourself! In two years or dent created in the town. Innumerable comin three years hence, this asylum would be as plaints against Julio were forwarded to the open to you as it is to-day. Your physical sys- palace without delay. tern itself, strengthened by air and exercise and "A man who had used such expressions the freedom of home-life, would be better able should be immediately interdicted," was the to sustain the severities of discipline and chas- form they took. tisement. You would lose nothing of the favor The archbishop, pressed on all sides, promised of God, and you would have given a few more an inquiry; and by this evasion extricated himyears of happiness to a tender parent, who, self once more. The Jesuits, the Carmelite should you then resolve, as you do now, might Friars, the Franciscans, the Carmelites, and all perchance regard your sacrifice with a weaker the religious orders in T —, wept loud and regret. long. "The clergy had come to this," they "My child, I say once more, there is time said, "open denunciation from the pulpit of a yet. If one ray of light, hitherto undetected by religious vocation. If the archbishop allowed you, has shone in upon your real thoughts, and the offender to escape, other measures must be made you shrink from a rash decision, halt, I pray taken; in point of fact, there must be an appeal you! Shatter the altar, and save the victim!" to the Pope." An utterly indescribable emotion seized the Their wrath knew no bounds when, a few entire congregation. Multitudes, for the most months afterward, it was announced, in due part, illustrate the proverb, " Iow forcible are form, that M. Charles de Beaubrun had just right words!" and though there were a few married Jeanne-Eleonore de Leteil. gloomy bigots present, in whose ears Julio's The new bride was none other than the Carwords had seemed a tissue of blasphemies, and melite novice at whose intended betrothal (of an attack upon the sanctity of religious orders, quite another kind) Julio had preached; and yet the whole assembly, apart from their indi- this same incorrigible Julio had, in the church vidual convictions, felt that what he had said of St. Sernin, bestowed on this same young waq just-that the child would suffer nothing- couple the nuptial benediction! so far as her vocation was concerned, if she continued true to it-by returning for a little longer to her mother's care while she would gain in- CHAPTER VI finitely by avoiding a rash dedication of herself to a convent life, if, on reaching maturer years, A SERMON ON LOVE. she decided, after all, that her proper calling JULIO had now become the object of the imwas in an opposite direction. placable hatred of the so-called religious world. HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 63 Absorbed in his studies and each day's parish one of their most eminent preachers, and they work, he failed to perceive the extent to which had left no stone unturned to secure Father Le this flame of animosity was being fanned by the Pampre a large congregation. Enthusiastic enraged monks; but his friends were not so Jesuit ladies-those in particular who were in blind. Verdelon, especially, gave him a hint love with the reverend gentleman's fat, rosy on the matter. Besides his sincere esteem for cheeks-thronged St. Stephen's; but men of Julio, his love for Louise made him wish earn- position and intelligence stuck to the Thursdays estly that the young priest would give up a war- at M. Maigreur's. fare that could only injure his career, and fol- Stung to fury by this circumstance, the Jesulow that course which, in the case of one so its (as may be supposed) abused the orator who talented as he was, would inevitably be attended had done them so much harm, they said, with with honor and reward. unusual simplicity, by his assemblies. They But Julio, tractable as he was, could not so constituted a most formidable clique among easily revolutionize his ardent and impulsive their bigoted adherents, at the head of which nature. Ile loved the pulpit; and there, in they placed an old magistrate, a rabid zealot, those flights of an unfettered fancy, the peculiar already in his second childhood, but who, from revels of genius, he would fling himself, from his fortune, antecedents, and family position, time to time, into transports of eloquence, whose was a man of great influence in the town. Actinfluence on others was electrical-all unable to ing on this invariable plan, they took good care understand how a religion, which, to him, ap- to keep in the back-ground themselves, comrnispeared so righteous and sublime, could be pre- sioning this venerable individual to wait on the sented to the multitude as pitiful and low. archbishop with a numerous deputation from the There was in the town a free school, founded various churches, members of the Society of St. by a professor of the university, greatly esteemed Vincent de Paul, and others of the pious faithin the south. The studies pursued in it were ful. very advanced, and at the time of which we are The Jesuits forwarded to the magistrate a writing it was in a most flourishing condition. copy of an extract from a sermon of Julio's on Notwithstanding popular prejudices, and more love, which had produced a considerable sensaespecially in disregard of the Jesuits, who had tion, and furnished him with instructions for his established, in their college, a series of classes audience; setting forth that such teaching was intended to be preparatory for the Government calculated to corrupt the youth of the town, and schools, many eminent families placed their sons was more fitted for temples of Venus than for under the able tuition of M. Maigreur. The Christian churches. The old man, carefully most select of the southern youth was there at crammed up in the story he was to tell, obthis time; and, as much from his personal sym- served to the archbishop that the Catholics of pathies as from motives of interest, the master T-, whom he had the honor of representing gave up a large portion of his time to religious on that occasion, while declaring their profound instruction. It had even been remarked in the respect for his highness, were determined to town that the greater part of those who had shrink from no measure, even the extreme step grown up to be good men had been the pupils of bringing the matter before the Pope, rather of this worthy instructor, and had never dark- than suffer the Christian youth of the town to ened the doors of the Jesuit college. be poisoned by false teaching. They trusted As may be expected, this astute preceptor that the archbishop would not pass over such summoned to his assistance, in the spiritual proceedings with ill-timed clemency, or force training of his charge, whatever enlightened the deputation, and those in whose name they clergymen were to be found in the town. The appeared, to the adoption of the course he had Abbd Julio was invited to hold meetings every indicated. Thursday in his house; and these speedily be- The Jesuits had reckoned on'the telling effect came the rage of T-. Magistrates, profess- of that threat. They knew the archbishop, and ors, and distinguished men of every class, deemed felt confident that he would not hesitate between it a privilege to be present on these occasions, his desire for the hat and the sacrifice of a poor on which Julio exhibited powers that could only priest. have been guessed at from his first sermon. The archbishop seemed perplexed. Ite took The intelligent youth of the town craved ad- the manuscript, and read a few lines of the sermission. So the place of meeting was changed, mon referred to. and an immense hall, used at the prize distri- "Very bad indeed, gentlemen; can not be butions, and capable of accommodating nearly tolerated; you are quite right; I will satisfy 2000 persons, was improvised as a chapel. your most reasonable expectations; but you The great success of these gatherings excited know that there are certain formalities to be even more the jealous hatred of these men who observed." had made it their hateful business to ruin the They withdrew perfectly satisfied. Julio was young priest. An extempore sermon of his on done for. Returning to his study, the archlove, and which his friends and enemies alike bishop read the paper eagerly, hunting for a had most carefully taken down, excited so much pretext on which to ground his punishment. interest that it became the talk of the town. Either because his intellect was not of the highThe Jesuits had at that time at the cathedral est order, or under the influence of the threat he 64 UNDER THE BAN. had just heard, the sermon appeared to him ing culpable, contained the only sound advice dangerous in the extreme; he was greatly ex- suitable to the position of young men passing cited, and dashing it down on the table, cried from the discipline of school to the temptations out- of real life. This sermon, a fragment of which "The young people shall never be exposed to had occasioned such an outcry among the fanatsuch pulpit-teaching as this!" ics, passed through endless editions, and was And in his rage, half real, half feigned, he read greedily in drawing-rooms as a graceful called his secretary and ordered him to see if work, equally refined in thought and language, there were not some obscure living vacant in the and only to be compared with one of the essays most savage valleys of the Pyrenees; adding, of Lacordaire. with bitter irony, that he had a young pastor The next day visiting cards poured in in shoals whom he wanted to send there to preach his upon Julio, by way of quiet protest against so idea of love to mountain shepherds. unjust a disgrace; which served only, however, The living of Saint Aventin, in the valley of to bring out more forcibly than ever his serenity L'Arboust, proved to be disposable. and unselfishness. The young men of T-, The next day Julio was summoned to the in particular, saw that they had been the innopalace, and received with marked sternness. cent causes of this persecution. A deputation The archbishop, almost flinging at him his new of them and of the various schools went to thank title of vicar of St. Aventin, gave him a long him for the good he had done them; and the lecture on the pretended scandals he had occa- Eagle of T — inserted in its impression for that sioned; cutting him short on any attempt at day the speeches made on the occasion, adding: explanation, and forbidding him ever to return " Here is an answer to those who pretend that to TT-, except for the ecclesiastical retreats, the youth of our schools are thoroughly irreligwhen he would do well to appoint himself se- ious." vere penance. The article in question terminated as follows: "I appoint you vicar of St. Aventin," he said. " We regret to announce that the Abbe Julio, " ad I done as numbers have urged me to do, the author of those brilliant prelections of which I should have interdicted you this very day. I we have just been speaking, has been appointed tell you this, not with a view of proving that I vicar of some out-of-the-way village in the Valley have claims on your gratitude, but to convince of Arboust. This appointment, generally reyou that I am just. If among the poor mount- garded in the light of a disgrace, has produced aineers, and in that climate freshened by the a decided sensation here. glacier, you can manage to calm down your im- "The young priest will carry with him the agination, and save me any more complaints of unanimous regrets of the town of T, where your extravagances, I shall thank God. That he is beloved for his exemplary character, and exile, severe as it may seem to you, will have admired for his distinguished abilities." proved beneficial; you will become rational like But the newspaper did not add that the young other men, and I shall have saved many a scan- people on returning from their visit to Julio, by dal to the Church. Go, Sir. I give you two the establishment of the Inquisition, had raised entire days to arrive at your parish. The vicar the significant cry of'"Down with the Jesuits!" of Luchon will receive a letter from me to in- At the very moment that. Julio was taking stitute you on Sunday next. He is a sensible leave of them a letter was brought to him from and pious man. I recommend him to you as a one of the most distinguished professors of the confessor. You would do well to take his ad- town. It expressed to him the general feeling vice." of profound regret at the departure of so distinAnd so saying he dismissed him. guished a man, and one from whom so much was The departure of Julio from St. Sernin, and expected in the rotten condition of the Church. his exile to the mountains, was soon the talk The writer implored him, before he acted on of the town. It was pretty well understood that the order he had received, seriously to ask himthe Thursday meetings, and more particularly self whether he ought to give way before such the sermon on love, had been at the bottom of deadly enemies; whether the present crisis was this harshness. The daily paper recorded mi- not an intimation from Providence, summoning nutcly all that had happened: the deputation him to the highest destinies. His removal to sent to the archbishop by the Jesuits, who were another sphere might be the means of setting concealed behind the curtain during the audi- him at once to a task in which he would receive ence; the threats hurled at his highness; and, the sympathies of all who believed in the future thanks to the secretary, who had overheard the of Catholicism, its reconciliation with the spirit whole conversation, the words addressed to Julio of the age. On the other hand, the general with such ill-deserved severity. opinion was, that should he go to St. Aventin If the zealots triumphed, the archbishop suf- he would banish himself effectually from the fered in equal proportion in the estimation of moving spirits of the day, and, absorbed in the sensible men. IHe was accused of having for- labors of an obscure ministry among a few warded the vengeance of the Jesuits, of having mountaineers, snowed up for eight months of listened to the hypocritical complaints of men the year, and worn out by the privations of a who knew perfectly well that Julio's words, on bleak climate, would relinquish forever the subwhich they founded their charge, so far from be- lime task whose nature he had so thoroughly ap HOSTILITIES COMMENCE. 65 prehended, and the programme of which he had No sooner was Julio alone than he took out traced in such glowing language in his sermon his friend's letter, advising him to refuse the livat the cathedral, as well as in his various prelec- ing of St. Aventin, and answered it as follows: tions. The writer urged further, that instead of set- "La Claviere, 1859. ting out for mountain solitudes, he ought to as- "YoUR letter, my dear Sir, reached me yessert his independence, thank the archbishop, ap- terday just when I was quitting T —, on a ply for a certificate which couldn't be refused, sorrowful parting visit to my dear aunt and sisset off to Paris, and when there advance himself ter. by speaking and writing. He implored him not "Do not fancy that I recoil from the afflictive to listen at such a moment to his own modesty or mission which it has pleased God to intrust to fear of the troubles of a controversial life. En- me. Persecution still hallows it, and ever will. gaged in such a holy cause, he ought to recog- Harassed by injustice and hate, I feel invigornize no other voices than those of his own con- ated nevertheless for my great task; for God science and of God. ever supports the martyr in the presence of his "'Would you recoil from this brilliant future," enemies. he urged, in conclusion, "with all your earnest- "Your view, so warmly and so flatteringly ness and faith? Would you have those who conveyed to me, has struck myself more than love you believe in their soul that you have but once; but there is a grave consideration on the vague aspirations, and that your character is not other side, the full force of which I hope you sufficiently strong to bear down opposition and will see. encounter martyrdom in the espousal of a holy " I am very young-I need hard work and service?" protracted study. With all my vehement longAt the moment when this letter came Julio ings I know I want ballast, and this I hope to was preparing to pay a visit to La Claviere, that have in time, counteracting the too ardent tendhe might pass the few hours left to him by the encies of youth toward whatever is enthusiastic tyrannical archbishop with his aunt and Louise. and imaginative. Shall I confess to you that Cautiously as he broke the news of his fate to even though I see, or think I see, the end of the his old aunt the blow was scarcely softened at present state of things-though I may discern all. It was impossible not to see in it a proof clearly the sufferings of Catholicism, her deep of the resoluteness with which the Jesuits were decline, the abyss into which ignorant scribes, hunting him down. As for Louise, for the first flatterers, and selfish or stupid desperadoes, are time in her life she ventured to say, in tones of dragging her-though I am confident that I shall extreme indignation, "That's the work of the witness before long the last crumbling away of Jesuits and the monks!" that worm-eaten edifice which history may call The brother's and sister's separation was heart- the Church of the Middle Ages-I am not yet rending; for though another passion was deep sufficiently practical to aid in collecting the reldown in Louise's heart, her affection for her ics of the old system, and constructing a new. brother, quite of another kind, and quite as pow- "At the present moment Italy, all but in a erful in its strength and tenacity, remained un- blaze, is preparing for a revolution. Papal diminished. Rome is witnessing the dying splendors of the " Our poor aunt gets weaker every day," said temporal power, while the Catholic clergy have Julio. "God alone knows whether our greedy been slumbering over the remembrance of the persecutors will leave us any fortune; but what- past, without foreseeing that sorrowful decline ever happens, remember that your brother's home which must follow such protracted inactivity. is open to you." "They are at length awaking, amazed to find The poor girl took in at a glance the horrors the world ahead of them. Men have grown, of her position, if the threatened spoliation was and priests can't understand, or won't, why carried out, as her worst fears led her to expect; grown men discard the worn-out nursery talk she saw at once, with a woman's prescience, her which they used as infants. blighted future. Verdelon would never marry "It is easy to see that there will be a breaka penniless orphan; nor.would his heart follow up in Italy. How the revolution will be occaher to the mountains: then what prospect could sioned I can not say; but it will inevitably take there be for her but that of being completely for- place. The upper clergy, hating intuitively all gotten, and of exchanging her brilliant city life reform, whether civil or ecclesiastical, will join for the dreariness of a mountain exile in the issue in the fight. And since experience never home of an all but interdicted priest? teaches corporations, it will struggle to the end Julio had to leave La Claviere the next morn- in its pig-headed opposition to change. Nor ing to return to T-, for the purpose of collect- will it shrink from incurring popular hatred. ing his books and furniture before proceeding The struggle will be furious. Rome will have to St. Aventin. He bade farewell to his aunt her anathemas-old weapons which she herself with an earnestness which seemed to say that it thinks little of now, yet uses as a species of bugwould prove a last adieu. Louise protracted bear. Then will come the final crash, and the her parting interview with her brother far into old religious world of Hildebrand will be buried the night. She left him at about twelve, that in the dust. she might no longer shorten his rest. "A period, I think, not very far off-five or E 66 UNDER THE BAN. six years, at the most-for the last slow pulses and beautiful task of rebuilding-a task, howof expiring papacy. I would seize this interval ever, that will have its unpleasantness, when we for retirement, hoping to emerge from my re- think of the rubbish to be cleared away; but, if treat when the Catholic world, dismayed at the its labors, its full reward; whereas, to talk of final throes of the struggle, has learned the wis- such a work now, would be sacrilege. Furious dom of constituting a new order of things on the opposition to the idea would start up on every ruins of the old. side.' How dare you lay your hand on the ark' This, then, is the reason why I would rather of God?' not waste my youth in a warfare distressing to "Might I ask you to think over this new asmyself and futile in every respect. I do not pect of the religious question. In the bitter care to be a destructive, for I trust the demoli- tears with which bigotry is bedewing her beloved tion of abuses to the clumsiness of those who are past-in the extent to which she swears at her endeavoring to sustain them. foes-in the blotches of persecuting hate with "As long as the old temporal power exists at which her flag is befouled-you may discover Rome, it would be absurd to attempt any reform tokens of her coming fall. We who anticipate in the spiritual. Even the mildest improve- the glorious work of the Church's thorough resments would be regarded as audacious attacks titution can well afford to wait. on the authority of the Sovereign Pontiff. Nor "Be assured of my lively gratitude for the is it, indeed, partial changes that the Church kind sympathy you have manifested toward me. requires. But so soon as the sceptre has passed He who watches over the bird of the air will not away, with the secular administration, then will overlook the exile of St. Aventin. JULIO." be the time to work up a new order, to be developed in all its real glory. The same evening he set out for his mount" Not but what I anticipate, even at so favor- ain home. Will they leave him long at peace able a juncture as that, some little difficulty; in his far-off retreat? Will not that spirit which but since the Church stands out incapable of can not let honest priests alone, or such as dare decay, surrounded by the ruins of institutions at all to think, track him out, through the obfounded by the ages, and not by God, she will liging aid of spies, and worry once more his usefind within herself, disenthralled from the spell ful, blameless life? Will the benevolent disof medievalism, the elements of a new order- ciples of Loyola be able to keep away from St. sure guarantee of a new life in the time to come. Aventin? " And now, I trust, you understand the wis- And Julio himself, what are his opinions on dom of my resolve to reserve myself for the holy this matter? A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 67 PART III. A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. CHAPTER I.the subject of this infected sheep, which he will be good enough to watch, lest the disease injure EXTRACTS FROM JULIO'S DIARY. the flock. I found that the dean had already "August, 1859. acted upon his instructions. There were with "I HAVE been here a month. The place is him the vicars of St. Mamet and Cascarille-my small and poor, but I feel already I shall get old fellow-students. They scarcely even greeted used to it. A worthy old soul, whose honesty me, and I saw in their embarrassed countenances is asserted by the whole village, will come every that, had they dared, they would have denied day to cook my chop and dust my rooms. My having ever seen me before. It is evident that tastes are simple. I'm easily satisfied. my least acts will be noted. So I may consider " Having made these arrangements my anx- myself as under the supervision of the archiepisieties are at an end. copal police. " Some strange destiny, like the blast of a "Since I may venture to set down in this wandering wind, has borne me to this hidden paper my most unreserved thoughts, let me conmountain village from the active, intelligent life fess that I inwardly revolt against all this baseof a great town. Kind providence of our God, ness. I can not deceive myself. I am henceI blame Thee not! Are there not designs of forth the outcast of the clergy of T —. That love in all that happens to us? And would it conviction, which I now entertain for the first not be stiff-necked in me to forget that Thou time, has filled me with indescribable bitterness. knowest better than ourselves by what path- And yet the portion of the victim is nobler than whether rough or smooth-it were best for us to that of his spy. I have brought this feeling to journey? Wherefore, O my God, I bless Thy bear upon my foes, and it has calmed me down. holy name! "Whenever the dean may feel embarrassed 4' Then, too, how glorious is this mountain as to how to report upon me, I shall be happy before me! I am learning already to love it as to furnish him with a minute record of all my a friend. I can study nature now to my heart's sayings and doings. It is as well to be on content: and how entrancing such a study is! friendly terms with one's jailer, though, at the I know the flowers of the Pyrenees are among same time, to understand him thoroughly. the treasures of the Old World; and in less than "If I have found among my clerical brethren two years I shall have a beautiful collection of hearts of ice, my dear mountaineers seem disthem. What a charming resource for my long posed to regard me as their best friend. They winter evenings! There will be the classifying came from all quarters on the day of my instituand ticketing them all, from the pyramidal sax- tion. After the dean had said his incomprehensifrage, with its great cluster of petals, which I ible say, as president on the occasion and repredelight in gathering on the scarped edges of the senting the archbishop, I mounted the pulpit, rocks, and the ramondia, that graceful primrose and spoke rationally and heartily to my new which refuses, like a haughty titled lady, to flock. If my pulpit experience do not deceive adorn our beautiful slopes, down to the little me, my simple, candid words made a great imdwarf willow, the last shrub that grows near the pression upon them all, untutored as they were glaciers. in the animosities of my enemies. After the "Here I am, then, in a new life, where I ceremony, the dean, as though anxious to shun may commune more freely with Nature, with my pestilential presence, declined, as politely as God, and with myself: with God, who, in His possible, the modest meal which Martha had mercy, tempers the wind to the shorn lamb; prepared, and went his way. I have neither with Nature, who has spread around me such been obsequious nor blustering with him. There lavish loveliness; with myself, at liberty from are some men who can only be conquered by those thousand thralldoms in which the world dignity; but even they are forced to succumb enchains me, and open to that long and quiet when they are compelled to respect those over meditation which finds in solitude its happiest whom they would gladly tyrannize. I hope and clearest exercise. this will be my good fortune with my friend the "My first visit has been to the vicar of Lu- dean. chon. He has been fearfully warned against "The patriarchs of the parish, with the mayor me. In our clerical world it is not deemed suf- at their head, half citizen half rustic, but apparficient to injure a victim with a single blow, his ently a worthy man, came to me of their own fame must be blighted. The archbishop has accord, as I left the church, to thank me for the doubtless written to him with his best ink on good they had derived from my sermon. Mar 68 UNDER THE BAN. tha told me that this had been an entirely im- wretched personal consideration, desires so lawpromptu demonstration: a few old men had ful? said,'Let us go and pay our respects to our "But will he ask for her? He knows my new vicar, and tell him how pleased we are with fears as to the scheme of the Jesuits to get poswhat he has said.' The rest followed, and the session of our property, and he shares them mayor joined them. I have a perfect horror of himself. Perhaps this is the secret of his cauofficial compliments; but this one, from my tion. And if so, he is unworthy of Louise; mountaineers, came from the heart, I am cer- and when she finds it out, then...... tain; so I am not afraid of losing their regard. "I see I am utterly selfish. What might I possess one infallible secret for maintaining it: possibly break her heart fills me with hope. I I mean to be a kind pastor to them, and I know blush to own it. Oh, my beloved Louise, be they will love me. happy! and even though it cost me my life I " Verdelon has written to me. His letter is would not grudge the sacrifice. strange and constrained. He speaks of Louise, "For what can I offer her as a compensation of the pleasures of La Claviere, of the happiness for the loss of such a future? This desolate he had in traversing again the places where he home, with its granite wall; this poor aparthad first met her. And, in the midst of a long ment, where my meals are prepared and eaten; rigmarole of circumlocutions, such as advocates one of those low, gloomy rooms, built of fir have at their fingers' ends, for ready use in the planks gaping with age, where her youth would causes intrusted to them, I detect what almost waste away; a cell like a prison, where she amounts to a confession of his wish to marry would curse me in secret for having sacrificed her. All that is clear, except the positive her happiness to my selfish affection. avowal, which I do not see. "No, I will not be my sister's jailer. I' How that letter has distressed me! complain of those who tyrannize over me: can "Now begin the real troubles of my life. I dream of treading in their steps?" Alas! I had indulged in a delicious dreamdream of those who still have childhood's heart. I had accepted my lonely life in the hope that it would have been gladdened by a sister's gen- CHAPTER II. tie presence. What if this happiness, treasured.I..ORE OF THE DIARY. up in anticipation these ten long years, is going to escape me! "MY pastoral life has its attractions. Igno" If Verdelon loved her as she deserves to be rance, superstition, and monotony have shown loved I could bear it. But he doesn't. In that themselves among my humble flock. It is my letter I see no more signs of real attachment heritage from my predecessors here for ten genthan in his confidential intercourse with me erations. But I feel I can get rid of all this by when he left the seminary. I find only the re- degrees. I am training my people to think, serve of a man who is afraid of committing him- and I find them sensible of the pains I am takself. But when he met Louise at La Claviere ing to speak to them in the simplest words. I that reticence should have been laid aside. He only exhibit to them one view of truth-but I has won her affection, I am sure; and in default exhibit it under various aspects. I teach them of the interchange of mutual vows, there is that as I would teach children, and I see already silent language of glances in which true lovers that the plan works well. Since the address are never deceived. of the dean, which was full of texts, they " Yes, Louise loves Verdelon. Now I under- haven't heard a syllable of Latin from the pulstand certain words and regrets, and an unde- pit. The good people have noticed this, and fined sadness which she showed during my last the warmest praise they think it possible to give day at La Claviere. She seemed very cool about me when they speak of me is,'Our cure never my offer of a home with me. speaks to us in Latin.' My addresses are very " Oh, how I suffer! Farewell forever to my short. The harangues of Demosthenes to the early hopes! Entranced with my boyhood's most intelligent nation in the world only lasted dreams, I pictured to myself a loving life with half an hour. How, then, could my unenlighther who was dearer to me than all the world ened Pyreneean friends put up with long serbesides. I had only forgotten one thing-would mons? my sister feel as I did? Poor Louise, you are " Last Thursday the vicar of Luchon gave an breaking your brother's heart, all unable as he official dinner on the occasion of the feast of the is to face life without you. patron saint of the parish. I was there. The "But am I not dreadfully selfish? If Lou- clergy round mustered strong, and I noticed that ise does love Verdelon, what right have I to wish I was an object of lively curiosity. These gathto interpose a barrier between them? erings are generally very pleasant. Seminarists " Though her heart has not spoken yet, will are in the habit of treasuring up a little store of she be able to resist his offer when it comes, witticisms, which are dealt out in after-times at backed by his distinguished fame, his brilliant such meetings. There is nothing very spicy position in the world, that future of social pros- about them, it is true; but still, commonplace perity so captivating to those of her age and as they are, they produce hearty laughter. Dursex? Dare I take upon myself to thwart, for a ing the dinner, which lasted for three hours, I A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 69 joined in the cheerfulness of my brethren. that the pious missionary will receive from you There was plenty of eating, plenty of drinking, that attention and reverence due to his age and plenty of talking. I sat at the bottom of the character. table, as the youngest and most newly-appoint- " Do not forget that he enters your church in ed, near the vicar of the valley of Lys-a little, the name of your archbishop. forgotten parish, like my own, in one of the re- "PIERRE FRANCOIS, motest mountain haunts. On chatting with "Archbishop of T —. him I found him more truthful and natural, and c As this letter, not overfull of benevolence of a higher tone than the generality of those on the part of a successor of the Apostles, represent. Like me, he is an unfortunate out- quires no answer, I shall await peaceably the cast. He ventured to preach at St. Bertrand arrival of Father Basil. I am very much afraid de Comminges, where he was a curate, against that this man of such' advanced spirituality' excessive devotion to the Virgin, and too fre- will sow the tares of childish observances among quent confessions from women, who detain their my flock. However, I hope and trust he will priests for many hours without being a bit the quote plenty of Latin, and lose himself and his better for it afterward, either as regards charity hearers in a cloud of unintelligible subtleties; to their neighbors or diligent discharge of home and that as soon as he is fairly off I shall find duties. A faction rose up against him. The the people (who I suspect are not more enrapvicar, who is a strong fanatic, reported him to tured with monks than other congregations I the archbishop, representing him as a sort of could name) quite ready to listen with pleasure free-thinker, attacking the Virgin, and decrying to the addresses of the young priest, their friend. devotional habits. The poor fellow was sum- So we'll dismiss the reverend gentleman for the moned to T-, received a severe reprimand, present, and hope for the best." and was finally posted off to a mountain parish to mend his manners. "After dinner we met for a moment in the garden. He informed me that he was, like my- CHAPTER III. self, an object of tender surveillance. Men in our position strike up a friendship wherever they T C L P T S. come across one another. We promised to see THE day after Julio received the archbishop's each other occasionally, notwithstanding the letter the presbytery of St. Aventin witnessed a difficulty of crossing the immense mountain strange scene. barrier which separates the valley of Arboust About an hour before sunset a young girl, from that of Lys. When I am out on my hot- who appeared to be about twenty-two years old, anizing tours the expedition will not seem very might have been seen on the direct road which tremendous. And even if it were, utter soli- leads from Luchon to St. Aventin, and thence tude would kill me. I feel I want a friend." ascending the steep hill which is part of Mount Esquidry winds into the valley of Oo. She was An interval of several months occurs at this dressed in the costume of the country, only of a point in the diary. There are some further frag- richer character: the material being fine and ments dated April, 1860, in which he continues elegantly made up. She belonged to one of the his narrative. neighboring valleys. None of the mountain"I have just received the following letter:" eers who passed recognized her; it might even " Palais of T —. have been thought that she was trying to con"REV. SIR,-The parish of St. Aventin is ceal her face. She walked very slowly, as one of those in my diocese which has been lon- though she were carrying a burden; though she gest without spiritual aid. Your predecessor had only a red cotton umbrella in her hand, and was a feeble old man who never observed the a small light parcel of linen. periodical retreats. He greatly neglected the She was observed to pause a long time at the instruction of the people. The Capuchin friars foot of the steep hill on which the village stood, of T- are disposed to preach'retreat' ser- with its little rustic chapel built against the mons in every parish where their services may rock; open in front and showing a long stone be required. I have made up my mind to send bench where those of the faithful kneel, who to St. Aventin Father Basil, one of their body. may chance to come and offer their devotions at He is a man of God, of advanced spirituality, that celebrated place of pilgrim resort. It was and admirably adapted for a country mission. seldom that there were no lighted tapers to be He will arrive on the eve of the 1st of May to seen on that bench; often during severe weather inaugurate the month of Mary among you. Be passers-by sheltered themselves from the squall so good as to announce to your flock that he under the projecting roof which formed a sort will preach to them every evening in your of porch. Often, too, the mendicant took refuge church during the month; and urge upon the under the cover of the entrance, where he felt faithful to take full advantage of this special himself at home, and in tattered garb with outprivilege. stretched hands asked alms of travelers with " I trust, moreover, that his example of priest- the customary prayerly excellence will not be lost upon a young pas- For the love of God, if you please! tor like yourself; and I have every confidence The young girl knelt long on the cold stone, 70 UNDER THE BAN. as though buried in profound distress. Two He arrested his steps, being af-aid to intrude women of the village, who chanced to see her on such deep dejection. However, as it was very there in that motionless attitude, heard the sighs late, he ventured to say with the utmost gentleand stifled sobs which escaped from her bosom, ness, and fancied that she was accomplishing some "Would you mind leaving, I want to close vow for a dying mother. the door?" She rose, trembling with weakness, and took "But I can't, M. le Cure, I am expecting the road clearly marked by carriage wheels, and some one." where no stranger could possibly lose his way. The words were uttered with a trembling The sun had set when she reached the village. voice, indicative of great distress; and she turnWithout addressing a single soul, without even ed instinctively toward the door, as though the looking about her, she made straight for the person so eagerly expected were just entering. church, which she entered as though it had been "You expect some one, daughter?" her journey's end. Though it was very late, "Yes, M. le Cur6." there was nothing extraordinary in this, as the And her heart overflowing, the young girl was Church of St. Aventin is much fiequented by convulsed with sobs, as though her very soul had pilgrims. been torn by a humiliating avowal. Soon the various families had returned from "Daughter, do not distress yourself so much. their mountain labors, which consisted entirely I am a priest. And young as I am, I know of wood-carrying, and were gathered round the what sorrow is as well as older men. Confide evening meal; the stranger being entirely for- in me. God is here; and I swear by this altar gotten. that I will never betray you." Meanwhile the night had come on; and a "Oh, impossible, M. le Cure-impossible! dark night it was. The snow was still lying For my part I would thankfully tell you every thick on the most exposed parts of the valley, thing! I am overwhelmed with remorse!" and had only disappeared in those regions where She stopped a moment, and then went onthe first warmth of the April sun had had full " But nothing in the world could induce me power. A dry, whistling wind was sweeping to tell you whom I am expecting. I would down from the height of the Lac d'Oo, and rather die at your feet than do it. 0 merciful threatened a sharp frost for that night and the God, how wretched I am!" next day. The village was hushed into repose, And again she darted a terrified glance at the the cattle had all been watered, the very dogs door, stating at the same time her earnest dehad ceased their incessant barking; from the sire that the expected one would come, and her distance came the echo of the thundering mono- dread lest he should be recognized by Julio. tone of the torrent of Arboust, dashing from "I implore you, M. le Cure," she continued, rock to rock at the foot of the valley, more than " in the name of God and of the Holy Virgin, two hundred metres below St. Aventin. whom a polluted wretch like me is unworthy to Martha had finished at the presbytery, and invoke, respect my self-imposed silence, and do gone home. Julio was alone. He thought he not try to find out our secret. He is not in a might as well go to the church to shut the door, common position; he can not acknowledge our and replenish the lamp which burned before the love. M. le Cure, pity us; perhaps I've said altar. too much already; leave the church.open a litKneeling at the entrance of the sanctuary, tie longer, and as soon as we are gone-" which was lighted up bythe flickering glare of the "Gone, my child! Where are you going small lamp in his hand, he fancied he heard a such a night as this, and in this fearful gale? suppressed sound of sighs and prayers. IIe was Is it because you do not wish to be recognized not much startled at first. Pious women were that you won't stop in the village?" wont from time to time to finish their day by "Just that, M. le Cure. We dare not be coming there after hard toil or harder sorrow recognized. All the better for the night to be to pour out their soul before God, and seek to dark, no one will be able to see us. We shall forget, in the solitude of His house, the hard- follow the road to the valley of Arreau as best ships of poverty or affliction. we can. At all events we shall be together, and When Julio had replenished the sanctuary if we perish-" lamp he saw, by its brighter light, the young "What are you talking of, poor child! Listgirl kneeling in the nave, and with her hands en to me. I feel I have two duties to discharge, clasping the iron railing of the fretted work, a the more pressing one being to save you both; master-piece of the Middle Ages, the admiration the other, to guard the sanctity of this church, of all travelers, which separated the choir from which forbids its being used as a common renthe nave, in the quaint old church. dezvous. I promise to leave the door open a litThe young pastor opening the rail and look- tie longer; but be candid with me, and tell me ing at the penitent, saw that she was oppressed where you come from?" with some sorrow of heart which she had been "From the valley of Lys. I took the road revealing to God. The poor thing was very from Luchon." pale, and the undried tears on her cheek gave "And he?" back, like the polish of marble, the feeble glim- "He ought to come by the cross-road, pass merings of the lamp. the mountains of Upper Bagneres, come down A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 71 opposite St. Aventin, over the torrent by the Julio tried to listen again, but a tremendous bridge, and join me here." blast rushing down from the heights of the Es" Why, he will lose his way." quiery raced so furiously through the gorge that, " Oh no, he knows the mountain thoroughly." had he not fortunately been sheltered by a great "Possibly; but the night is so fearful. Then, jutting rock, he would have been hurled to the too, if the snows are melted on the declivity of bottom of the abyss. Leaning his back against the valley of Lys, that's not the case here where the cliff, and grasping, as a precaution, some it's a northern aspect. The road is no longer bushes of whortleberry which grew out of the visible; nothing but masses of snow forming crannies, he remained for a few minutes bravthemselves into terrible glaciers. The torrent ing the hurricane that shook the ground with also is frightfully swollen. You mention the its terrible assault. bridge. Do you know it's only a trunk of a But the question was, what to do next? He tree which the foam is forever bathing, and in couldn't help fancying that among the echoes this keen frost it will be as slippery as glass?" of the storm he detected the groans of a hu"Good Heavens! we never thought of that! man voice which he thought he had heard be0 my God, save him!" fore. To advance farther and descend to the "And the night is so awfully dark! It would brink of the torrent was to expose himself to be dangerous to cross the torrent on a fine day certain death at such a fearful moment. when the water is low." "Yet, if I don't, that unhappy wretch may "What shall I do? oh, what shall I do? He be perishing in the last agonies of despair." was to have been here first, a few moments aft- So he listened no longer to' the powerful iner sunset, and have waited for me." stinct of self-preservation, which often daunts "And now it has been full night this half- even the most fearless, but recommending his hour; he is in peril on the mountain. My soul to the care of God, exclaimed: child, we have no time to lose. You are a girl, "I have a brother to rescue, I must go on!" and I am a man. Listen to me: this is what I And leaning stoutly on his iron-tipped staff, will do. I will shut the door of the church, and and drawing his cloak tightly round him, that you must come to the presbytery. Meanwhile it might catch the wind as little as possible, he I will take a large lantern and go in search of strode with a firm step to the creek surrounded him. If he sees the light in the distance he by the gnarled old trunks of trees and the narwill come toward me. I will take a long stout row gorge through which the torrent dashed. rope which I will throw to him across the tor- There he found the rude bridge, formed of a rent. Farewell, and may God assist us!" single plank of fir, squared, which the hardy Julio did not wait for her answer. He hur- mountaineers used to cross merrily each day as ried to the door of the church, drew the massive they went to their work, regardless of its peril, bolts, and holding his small lamp, showed her making feints at pushing one another over into the way into the low sitting-room of the presby- the gulf below. tery, where a bright fire was blazing. Then he He approached the spot. There is always put on a pair of huge gaiters, wrapped himself something awful in a tempest and impressive in an over-coat of thick gray native stuff, put on in night; and Julio shuddered in the presence a large old hat, and finally supplied himself with of the infuriated elements, which seemed as ropes, his mountain stick, and his lantern. though they would have whirled him away like "Thank you," she exclaimed, with grateful a grain of dust. What he had already dreadtenderness. "May God reward you! You will ed, by anticipation, presented itself now and save his life." filled him with dismay. The trunk of the tree He quitted the house, and followed a steep which served as a bridge was glazed with ice, road, hewn in a zigzag direction along the face and was a complete spar of rock-crystal, flingof the rocks of St. Aventin, toward the torrent ing back the reflection of the lantern in myriad of the Arboust. star-gleams. However, there are pauses even "If only I am in time," he said, "and the in the most furious storm. The raging torrent unfortunate man sees this light." seemed to have hushed its moanings, and in the And he kept waving the lantern about, rais- lull that ensued Julio heard again most distincting it to the level of his shoulders, that he might ly the sound of a voice, and felt confident that signal the traveler. it was the traveler. When Julio had got to about one hundred "Good Heaven! what shall I do? To take and thirty yards from the little bridge he found two steps on that glazed trunk, rocked by these himself on a kind of platform formed. by the furious waters, is certain death. Yet there is perpendicular rocks through which the torrent a momentary calm. If I could but manage to dashed. Pausing for a moment, he fancied he reach the other side by the help of this rope-" heard the wandering echo of a human voice Here a bright thought occurred to him. He dying away in prolonged groans in the dis- explored for a few minutes the edge of the path tance. which led to the bridge, and selecting a sharp "There he is! there he is, the mad fellow! piece of granite of sufficient weight, tied one of Oh, to what follies love leads! What a wild the ends of the rope tightly round it. notion to expose himself at this time of the year As soon as he had secured the knot he placed in the midst of the snow!" the lantern in the hollow of the tree on whioh 72 UNDER THE BAN. the bridge rested, and by thus concentrating the "Excelsior! excelsior!" rays lit up the other side of the abyss. And, helped at every step by his stout staff, Then summoning all his strength by one of he climbed the ascent. There was no trace, up those impulses which often come at such a cri- to that moment, of recent footsteps in the snow, sis he hurled the block of stone, with the rope as his lantern clearly showed him. Suddenly, attached to it, across the gulf; it lighted below however, he fancied he discovered marks of a the bridge, in the heart of the huge rocky boul- man's boot repeated several times along the way ders, and anchored firmly. which he had concluded was the road to Upper "Poor fellow! you shall be rescued, wherever Bagneres. He followed them for about ten you are," he said to himself. paces, examined them closely with his light, and Then straining the cord with all his might was satisfied that they were what he took them he secured it to the trunk of the tree, at about to be; not, indeed, those of a mountaineer-they one and a quarter yards from the ground. Next were not clumsy enough for that-but of a stranhe cut off two lengths of what remained: one ger who had come down from the heights, and he fastened round his body, proposing to sup- just passed that way. port himself by a slip-knot to his new bridge, But how to pursue the track; for it disapjust as ferries are prevented from being carried peared at this point, and beyond was a depth so down the stream by a pulley running along a dark and profound that it was impossible to cable which unites the two banks; the other form an opinion as to whether the traveler had he stowed away very carefully in his girdle, to- been able to push along any further by some progether with his lantern, so invaluable at such jecting path, or whether he had fallen down a a critical moment. cliff. The last supposition he judged to be the As a still further precaution, instead of at- more probable. tempting to walk on the iced plank he got "He stopped here-I see his footprints. There astride of it, griping it hard with his legs and is even a giving way of the snow. No doubt the slipping along cautiously, his hands on the rope. poor wretched man has fallen down there." A savage gust of wind attacked him when he Then he shouted at the top of his voice; but was in the middle of his passage, but, happily, for answer came the mocking of the howling with no effect; the cord held firm, and the abyss wind, and a still more mocking silence. was crossed. "Traveler! are you there? I am come to To slip off the cord which was round his body rescue you." and to hide it away against his return was but There was one course left-to explore the botthe work of an instant. He had manifested in- tom of the ravine where the man must have credible self-possession throughout the whole af- fallen. But the question was how to get there, fair, nor had he forgotten to carry his staff over and what direction to take so as to avoid the on his back. This was the more needful since same fate, and the risk of leaving two bodies to below the bridge the snow-drift commenced, the bleach in the valley. His perplexity was exweird mountain pines stretching up from the treme. To risk his life, with the pretty certain midst, while the rocks had been recently under- prospect of finding only mangled remains, the mined by an avalanche. limbs stiffened with cold, or to return to St. Julio had often reached the St. Aventin side Aventin, and tell the poor girl that he had disof the torrent in his walks, but had never ad- covered traces of the lost one, but that there was vanced further; so the place where he now was little doubt that he had rolled over the cliff with was entirely unknown to him. His only hope the masses of snow, was distasteful alike to the was that the wanderer would catch a sight of courage and generosity of his disposition. the lantern, or that he would be able to hear "I will go the whole length now," he said; his groans if he had fallen into some abyss. and availing himself of his previous knowledge Happily he had already learned from the mount- of the conformation of those mountain paths, he aineers the use of the alpenstock in the snow. determined to regain the bridge as speedily as "I must be quick,"he said; "not a moment possible, to follow the torrent up a little way, to lose. The wind has calmed down, but the then to turn off to the right, toward the place roar of the water prevents me from hearing any where he was standing, and where there was a sound. I had better climb higher." sharp, projecting mass, the result of some early A depression in the ground led him to imag- convulsions of the mountain chain. ine that that was the road to Upper Bagneres Julio's plan was the right one. Almost imunder the snow. Steep as the ascent was, he mediately after he had commenced making his accomplished it up to a certain height, where a way along the cliff up the stream, he came to a dense mass of young firs offered shelter. The yawning recess, formed by precipitous walls of spot was a kind of terrace, such as is often to rock on one side, and by cliffs of mountain schist be found in the mountains. He calculated that on the other. It was down these crumbling sides he was as near as possible at the same height as that the traveler had tumbled to the bottom. the place the other side of the gulf, where he There Julio found him lying motionless; his had heard the groans a few minutes before. He face pale and distorted, but no signs of severe resolved to halt there that he might be ready to bruises about him. catch the least sounds. But there was no echo His first anxiety was to know whether he was from the mountains as he strained his ear. alive. The heart was beating still, and from the A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 73 open mouth a slight breath issued; the limbs "Surely, Sir, I have seen you before," he were already stiffening with cold; a few mo- said;' your features, your voice are familiar. ments more would have been fatal. If I am not mistaken we have met already." Julio had brought with him a pocket-pistol, Julio looked at the other in his turn. He incased in wicker-work, and filled with brandy. seemed to be in the prime of life, and about Putting it to the poor man's lips he made him thirty years old. His dress showed a certain swallow a little of the precious fluid. Then he position. His linen was fine: a black frockpoured some in his hand, and got him to inhale coat, almost new, a large dark blue over-coat, it, rubbing his hands and temples at the same black trowsers, and respectable boots. Such time. Soon a movement like that of a man was his attire. His face was shaved. awaking from a heavy sleep showed that life was "I, too," said Julio, suddenly, "have seen returning. you somewhere. The sound of your voice, your By degrees the young man recovered. Julio profile, are quite familiar to me. Why, shake helped him to rise. hands; you are my brother, the Abbe Loubere, "Do you feel any wounds about you?" he vicar of the valley of Lys. I met you at the asked. presbytery at Luchon: I am Julio, vicar of St. "No," said the stranger, getting up as he Aventin." spoke; " the snow has doubtless broken the vio- "0 my God!" cried the other. "Thou art lence of my fall. I must have dropped from a full of compassion. Thou hast sent me a priest. great height. I only remember that my foot Father, hasten to absolve me. You know my slipped, and I rolled down a terrible cliff. I horrible crime: I have only that upon my conlost my senses from the cold more than from the science; but it is fearful enough. I confess it to pain. But now I seem quite coming round." God and you. Will you have that poor girl " Then drink some more brandy," said Julio; sent to Luchon? She is the daughter of a most " but let us be quick; there's a capital fire wait- respectable man, the mayor of --. Happily ing for us at St. Aventin." nothing of the matter is known. No one sus"Oh,'thanks!-a thousand thanks! Who- pects our flight, as she went away on the preever you are, you have saved my life. But how text of visiting an aunt at T-. If she make came you to be in this wild gorge with a lan- that journey her reputation is saved. And since tern?" God's justice must have its way, leave me......I "Friend, I was looking for you." feel that......Farewell. God be merciful, and "Oh! then you know all. She has told you." forgive a wretched priest!" "Yes, she has; and a kind Providence or- And he sank into a deep swoon, which had dered that I should interpose, and save you both every appearance of death. from ruin and disgrace." Julio at that fearful moment raised his heart "You know my name, then?" to God in prayer for strength and courage; and "I didn't ask it; nor hers, either. But let raising up the poor man-who sank back, howus make haste, there's a momentary lull, and I ever, immediately-he laid him down gently on am afraid of the return of those frightful blasts a heap of small crumbling stones. Then he rewhich rush with irresistible fury through our applied the remedies which he had before used valleys. We have the torrent to cross yet; and, -rubbing him over the heart and temples with rash fellow, how could you risk your life at so the palm of his hand. By degrees the eyes late an hour among these mountains? But you opened, the warmth returned, while a few drops will tell me all that by-and-by: let us set off at of brandy forced down the sufferer's throat reonce." covered him from his swoon. The stranger managed to get along very tol- Julio was most anxious to appeal to his sense erably to the bottom of the valley; but by the of duty. time he had reached the bridge the shock of his "My friend, my beloved brother," he said, fall had so affected his head that the rapid tor- "you are saved. Strength is returning. Keep rent, and the tumult of the floods boiling against up your spirits and listen to me. I have devised the rocks, turned him giddy. He declared he a plan for crossing the torrent. Come along; could never venture across that iced plank. drink some of this flask. Ah, that's right. " My head is going; and as for dying, I would You're better now, aren't you?" rather perish here quietly. I could commit my "Yes, I breathe a little; but do leave me to spirit to Him whom I have so grievously of- die, as I have justly deserved. 0 my God! fended; but let me, at least, know the name of let me perish here by this miserable doom!" the heroic man who has risked his life to save "No, my friend, no; you shall not die. I, mine." Julio, assure you of that. Don't leave me to There was nothing in Julio's appearance to the dreadful regret of not having been able to show that he was a priest. His huge gray hat, save you. Think of her life, as well as yours. fastened under his chin; his thick woolen over- Come, my friend, your sin you may well hate; coat, buttoned from the neck to the waist, with but don't, by giving way here, consign her to his long leather gaiters, indicated any one rather life-long remorse." than the simple village pastor. Yet the stranger The last argument told. gazed at him carefully, the light of the lantern "You are right. I should be a coward to falling on his pale and gentle countenance. her, and ungrateful to you, if I didn't pluck up 74 UNDER THE BAN. courage. I place myself in your hands. May CHAPTER IV. God help me!" Julio lost no time. Such reactions of the THE CAPUCHIN FATHER. mind on the body are never long. The dread- JULIO announced to his people, on the Sunful hurricane, too, might return. The air was day before the month of May, that there would brisk, though quiet; but the moanings of the be a course of teaching in his church for four torrent, tumbling in great cascades from ledge weeks by Father Basil, a Capuchin friar, sent to ledge, were fearful, and enough to bring on by the archbishop on a mission to the parish. another of those attacks of the brain which He communicated the fact somewhat briefly, in would have ended in entire mental and physic- order that he might quietly give them to underal prostration. stand that he did not himself attach much imJulio took a large silk handkerchief out of his portance to the mission. He took good care, pocket, and felt for some pieces of paper, which however, to omit none of the archbishop's orhe tore up, wetted, made into strong plugs, and ders. There is nothing so convenient as rouput them into the ears of his poor friend. Then tine. he bandaged his eyes, and covered his head all Having done that, he waited in patience for over. the reverend father's arrival. " Now let me guide you," he said to Loubere; The word "mission" in many dioceses in "and don't be afraid. There will be no danger France, and particularly in the south, where refor either of us if you follow my directions. I ligious duties are more faithfully observed, is alam going to bind us together with a rope. As ways powerful with congregations. "We must soon as we are both astride of the plank you will have our mission," is a sacred phrase, which, put one arm round me, and with the other you when repeated from hamlet to hamlet, draws towill grasp that line, which I shall keep hold of gether an entire parish. The indifferent-the also. I will glide slowly along the iced beam; procrastinating even-come, urged by respect for you will have nothing to do but to lean forward popular feeling, and having no fancy to be a little on me, so that the weight of my body pointed at. On the other hand, in countries may, in a measure, support yours. If, toward where faith is at a low ebb, those who are pious the middle of the bridge, a violent gust comes at heart often stay away from church from the on, there is no danger. The rope is strongly fear of being laughed at as fanatics: a new proof secured to the trunk of a tree on the other side of the fact that opinion rules the world, comof the torrent. I am going to fasten it in a pellipg men at one time to appear bigots, at ansimilar way on this-you understand." other atheists. Every arrangement having been made, he The famous Father Basil arrived at last by took him by the hand, seated him skillfully at the T — diligence at Luchon, carefully packed the beginning of the bridge, fastened on to him- in the coupe, and supplied with a complete cargo self one piece of rope, intended to act as a of rosaries, medals, images of every size and pulley, and passed another round the waist of color, and little books for his propaganda work. his friend. He alighted at the Luchon presbytery, and ex"Now hold fast, and trust in God." pressed his astonishment at once that the young The expedition succeeded beyond their hopes. vicar of St. Aventin had not been to the diliThe two priests were soon on the left bank of the gence to meet him. torrent. They unloosed the ropes that had bound "What do you expect, reverend father? It's them, and, thanks to the flask which invigorated just the result of these modern ideas, and a very them both, they were able to ascend with a firm characteristic one, too." step the hill leading to St. Aventin. " You are right, Mr. Dean; in our day there On the way the poor young priest finished his was greater respect for old men." story, with perfect unreserve. The young Pyr- "What will happen to us, reverend father?" eneean and himself were on the point of flight. "The world is in a most desperate condiJulio had been the means of arresting them. tion." The next day, at a very early hour, Julio "It is; but happily religious orders are awoke the priest, who had shared his bed, and spreading abroad their blessed influence. They set him on the road for Luchon, his way back will be the saving of France." to the valley of Lys. The girl, too, set forth "Unhappy France!" very shortly afterward for T. Before start- During this dialogue, the presbytery houseing she asked Julio to let her into the church. keeper-a great gaunt-looking, red-eyed female, There, at the foot of that same iron railing who did the church and clerical washing, and where she had bowed herself in such anguish was partial to ordering about an inferior cookthe night before, and recovering as from a hide- made all haste to get breakfast ready for the ous dream, she knelt to implore forgiveness for Capuchin. She saluted the reverend father the past, and received full absolution in the very deferentially, and like a well-taught damname of God. sel, said, "Your reverence is served." The journey from T- by the long valley of the Peak, with fresh mountain breezes all the way, from the heights of Venasques and the A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 75 glaciers of Escoublons, is enough to give any now-building something or other of unmenone an appetite. So our friend Basil did ample tionable grandeur-a citadel, a Louvre, a Vatijustice to the sausage provided-as well as to an can. Between ourselves, Mr. Dean-not that I izard stew, remnants from the night before, and would say such a thing in irreverent ears-they dainties to which the dean was tenderly attached. don't show much of the spirit of poverty urged He even made a very tidy attack on a grilled by the founders of religious orders. Our holy shoulder of mutton. Founder insisted on this in our case. His be"Will your reverence take some coffee?" loved daughter, St. Clair, refused positively cerasked the tall housekeeper, mysteriously. tain large sums which Gregory IX. wished to "Why not?" said his reverence, cheerful, pay her. Not the fashion of the Jesuits that! not to say hilarious, under the influence of a They refuse nothing, I assure you. Why, the little bottle of St. Bertrand. "That's not a money they sack is enormous. Any inheritbad line of Voltaire's, infidel scamp though he ance not in movable property they get hold of was, by means of executors-little saints just cut out'C'est toi, divin cafe, dent la douce liqueur-' for the work, well known at T; and thus Help me, Mr. Dean; I can't remember the rest. they secure splendid chateaux and domains. Ah! stop, I have it, Believe me, all is fish that comes to their net.' — et rejouit notre cceur."' Of course this is under the rose, and not in any "What wonderful men these reverend fathers backbiting spirit. We respect the order, there are!" said the dean, to himself. " I couldn't is much good in it; but we may venture to allow quote a line of Voltaire for the life of me. They that it is not altogether a mistake to accuse them know every thing." of a tendency to aggression." During that profound reflection the Capuchin "I perfectly agree with you, reverend father; had drained to the very last dreg a brimming but what would you have? There is a reverse cup of coffee supplied by the generous attention side to every medal. Even the sun is not spotof the venerable Hebe of the presbytery. The less." beverage had been pretty strongly flavored with Of course, Mr. Dean; but what we say of some Armagnac, served on a waiter with the them is not directed against individual memsugar. bers. I assure you all I have urged is notori"Reverend father," said the dean, with un- ous. They are cunning fellows, but their doings speakable urbanity, "you are very tired. Such only eke out by degrees. Among the princely a dreadful road that Luchon road is! Don't fortunes which they will one day have are those you think you would be the better for another of the President Massol and Madame de le Clacup?" viere, who is getting weaker and weaker, and " Possibly I should, Mr. Dean. So here goes who, according to Boileau, wishes to return to for a second." God what her worthy husband netted in the And as soon as the housekeeper had supplied world. As far as we poor Capuchins are conit, she went up to her master, on a particular cerned, the only windfall we have had at T — sign from him, and receiving a little key-a has been from the excellent Mademoiselle Flospecial key-the key of the cellarette, in the tard. That saintly lady died a few months ago, corner of the dining-room-departed in quest of full of years and good works. May God have a bottle of particular brandy, which was never pity on her soul!" produced but on grand occasions. And so saying, the father warmed up both " Taste that, reverend father," said the cure. himself and his speech with another glass of ArAnd the father helped himself to a large al- magnac. He could not hide the jealousy with lowance of old Armagnac. which all the religious orders regard one anoth"Ah, Mr. Dean, that's the stuff!" er, and, by common consent, the Jesuits, who "You'll come again, good father?" leave them very little more than the crumbs of "Most undoubtedly." the loaf. " That's right. And now what's the T — "And how about Rome and Paris?" news?" "Fearful news of Italy. Every thing is in "Oh, fairish. Our house takes. We have a turmoil. The hellish serpent which has sworn had some new members. Money comes in by to overthrow the temporal power-with his Mazdegrees. We require to build, for we are rather zinis, and Garibaldis, and endless Carbonarihard up for room." is in motion. There are grave apprehensions "Exactly; but that's easy in T —. It's a for the future." town full of resources." " You don't mean to say so?" "Famous at charity, Mr. Dean. There are'"Yes, I do." so many good families there. All of the old "But there's Rome. Rome is true, and with stock, you see." the protection of France-" "Just so, before the new lights had begun to "Get away with you, my dear dean! Why, shine," said the dean, laughing himself at the it's that very protection which worries the Pope sarcasm contained in his answer. out of his life, and makes all good men despair.' And yet every thing gets marred, somehow. Have they kept their promises? The Romagna's Frankly, there is too much competition. The lost; the rest will follow. A French army at Jesuits injure us considerably. They are at it Rome! Good Heavens! I don't deny that it 76 UNDER THE BAN. would prevent a break-out-an insurrection. maculate Virgin-entreating her to protect But wouldn't some brave Austrian or Irish vol- them against the dangerous doctrines of their unteers, well paid (and Rome is rich enough), be brainless young pastor. For you know as well worth more than all the French army, with no as I do that his sermons have created some conmore religion than their baptism? I am never siderable anxiety at the palace. It is feared mistaken in these political questions. Over and that he may infect his parish with his errors and over again have I said to our fathers,'France novelties. People are so easily impressed, you will play us a scurvy trick before she has done see. Then, too, the preservation of the faith with us.' I happened to be traveling in Italy is such a weighty consideration. It would be on business connected with our order, and spent better far to sacrifice him than to imperil his a month at Rome. Would you like me to tell flock. Only his highness is so forbearing, so you what I thought?" lenient with his priests." And the old gentleman refreshed himself with " True, true; very forbearing; very lenient. a third glass, and proceeded: I confess I would rather have had this tiresome " Your hateful French are no good at Rome, youngster any where than in my district. He except to flirt with the ladies; and that army will only be an anxiety to me, I fear. I have of theirs is called an army of occupation-a pret- been here for twenty years, and if I were to tell ty name for them that, my dear dean! They you all the vexation I have had with young may go to-morrow. Take my word for it, they priests you would be amazed. Certainly office will leave a whole generation behind them, even has its advantages. The dignitary is independin the palaces of the aristocratic Romans." ent. He enjoys considerable respect. But put " Oh, you're too hard upon them, my good alongside of all that-watching these fellows!" father. They are said to be full of respect for "A disagreeable task, I must say." the Pope. They are only too glad to receive "It is, indeed. But. reverend father, do you any token, rosary, or medal at his hands." intend walking to St. Aventin?" "So far they are fair enough; they are not "Most certainly." bad at heart. Hence they are willing to kneel "But it's a long distance from Luchonbefore' Santita di nostro Signore;' but that all nearly five miles. True, the road is excellent; vanishes when the evening comes. Just see, but notwithstanding that I think it would be now. We hear nothing of all that. I tell you, better to have a carriage. At your age, and however, that the whole state of things there is stout too. Then, too, in our valleys there are utterly rotten. Cardinal Antonelli, who is no tremendous currents of air. You would get fool, would be only too glad to see the French heated, and your blood would freeze. Just army a thousand leagues off. Talk to me of consider, your life is so precious to the Church." Austrian soldiers! Those I saw at Bologna, " I can't refuse to listen to good advice, Mr. some time ago, were as well behaved as young Dean." girls. But as for your French!"...... " Capital: I'll order a carriage for you." The dean brought him back to the point. And the corpulent Capuchin-true type of "You think, then, that the prospect is very that class of monks, with rubicund, puffed-out gloomy there?" face, painted by great artists and immortalized "Very, very! My brethren tell me that I in our port-folios-invigorated with a hearty look only at the dark side. It's possible. But meal, and made merry by liberal applications to then things are quiet in France, and I have the coffee and Armagnac, stowed himself away spent a long time in Italy. I know what's in one of the slow-dragging Luchon vehicles smouldering in that volcano. There will be a bound for the presbytery of St. Aventin. fearful crash. And, in any case, all that I have said has been foreseen. And then, and then, Mr. Dean- But you've made me talk a long time. I must think of starting for this village. CHAPTER V. And, speaking of that, what sort of a place is THE LOVES OF LOUISE AND VERDELON. St. Aventin? What do you know of its vicar? There are funny records about him at the pal- LOUISE and Verdelon were in love. They ace." had never confessed it to one another. But "What can you expect, father? He is full their attachment, like all others, was conof the new ideas. He has the reformation of strained to arrive by the same checkered course the Church on his hands." of tender emotions, fears, and crosses, at that "Dear me! dear me! how sad!" * final revelation when the avowal is made and "You may well say so, reverend father. He answered. is good enough in his parish. Every thing is It was at La Claviere, under the shade of the kept up the same as ever. The old men make grand old trees in one of those ordinary walks, allowances for his youth. But he is very igno- in which the two lovers were enjoying the freshrant. You will be an immense blessing there!" ness of the mild, balmy breezes of early spring, "Pray that it may be so, Mr. Dean; and rambling on side by side in pleasant, cheerful urge the faithful of your parish to pray much intercourse through those same winding alleys for the prosperity of my mission. Let us, above where they had first met. all, commend this benighted people to the Im- Verdelon, so reserved, so thoroughly matter A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 77 of fact, prudent as an old man-this Verdelon, chained more by the seductive longings of amin the presence of beauty, with its mighty influ- bition. Louise saw nothing in Verdelon but ences, succumbed, in spite of himself, to the the man to whom her whole heart was devoted. strange spell and felt that he was human. Verdelon, on the other hand, saw in her exBut happiness is not a thing to be minutely quisite beauty, and the highest and tenderest delineated: its history is very simple. So we qualities of disposition. But all the more for must not dwell upon the delights of earliest love his not being conscious of the fact, he thought experienced by Louise. of her rank, of the illustrious position of her anFortunately for their unrestricted intercourse cestors, and last, not least, of the brilliant forMadame de la Claviere was more delighted with tune which the approaching death of her aunt Verdelon than ever. The days that Julio's would place at her disposal. friend spent at her house seemed to lighten up for a moment that feeble life so evidently dying out. Hence his visits were continued without the CHAPTER VI. least check: the only regret on the part of hisCIEN AD THE CAPUCHIN. entertainers was that they were too few. The young advocate was as attentive to the THE creaking carriage in which the heavy matron as if he had been her own son: quite Capuchin was ensconsed arrived in due time at outvying M. Tournichon in his readiness for Julio's door. The weather was glorious. A cards-the last delight of old women. bright sun had melted the last snows of the valAt the same time Verdelon and Julio had ley, and concentrating its rays on the vast defile kept up their correspondence with tolerable of St. Aventin, changed the whole landscape regularity, and the letters from the mountain into some region of the tropic, though around were a fruitful subject of conversation with the it were the glaciers and plains of hitherto unthree-one of whom was on the brink of the voyageable snow. grave, while the others were gay with the joys Julio had taken advantage of so charming a of youth and its golden dreams. day to make one of his usual botanical and minThe good aunt was not selfish. The young eralogical excursions. With his iron-tipped people must take walks, she said; little suspect- staff, without which no one ever ventured on ing that the excursions had any other attraction the mountain, and duly equipped in gaiters and beyond the gold-fish and the bright beds of an over-coat, his tin box on his shoulder, warflowers. Moreover, there were her prayers, ranted to keep the air from the flowers he had meditations, and rosaries enjoined upon her in gathered, so that they might be arranged in all a regular list, corrected and enlarged by our their freshness in his collection, a little bag at old friend M. Briffard. She would not have his waist for his mineralogical hammer, and a failed in a single one of his directions for all the pair of scissors in his pocket for the rare lichens world. And often was she obliged to quit the which draped the naked rocks, he had been cheerful table, with a reluctance little short of climbing the heights till he reached the parts Louise's, when Time, the lovers' enemy, and where the snow was still lying. In these exfond of changing their hours into minutes, broke cursions he often met some of his people at up her intercourse with Verdelon and bade him their work. Accosting them with pleasant fadepart. miliarity he gratified their self-esteem by askIn spite, however, of the claims upon the ing them several questions about the country, young lady from household duties and filial re- the climate, the vegetation, the capabilities of spect, they had plenty of opportunities to give the soil, the progress of agriculture, the rearing and repeat a thousand times their vows of per- of cattle, and exploring of forests. To the petual love. young shepherds he addressed himself by asking And as young human nature is fond of an- them the name in their language for some flowticipating, every thing was arranged for a brill- ers. He stopped the poor and the aged, and iant life at T, as soon as their vows had spoke to them words of comfort. To all he rebeen sealed at the altar. Louise drank in all the vealed the Father above, glorified in His works, pleasures of hope; but Verdelon, though as en- and diffusing His blessings on the toil of human amored as herself, refrained from abandoning hands, and the godly longings and lovings of himself to the prospect with the same unreserve. human souls. His duties at T, the daily fag at the bar, Julio told Louise in a letter that he had two his letters, associations, connections-all helped pulpits, one in his church where he preached to divert him, and to bring him back to that on Sunday, the other under the vault of heaven, calm calculation which was the essence of his where he preached through the week in field, character, and which he never forgot, except in high-road, or lonely paths, or under the shelter those momentary surprises of love, which a man of some humble cot; adding that the latter serof his age can not always manage to avoid. mons were often the most useful. Then, tob, Verdelon, being a most talented The monk knocked at the presbytery door, advocate, felt his power. A brilliant career was but no one answered. A woman who was passopening before him. His spirit, fully capable ing by told him that the cure was absent, offeras it was of earnest attachment, was as yet en- ing respectfully to inform Mrs. Martha, the 78 UNDER THE BAN. housekeeper, to which he gratefully assent- your congregation, and we shall not have to ed. dread the risks of night meetings, which, with Martha, however, was not forthcoming. She our numerous country youths, are often dangertoo had availed herself of the fine day to go wood- ous." hunting. The old monk, being of a peevish Father Basil was greatly struck by the distinturn, began to get very cross; when Julio, re- guished air of Julio, as well as by his forcible turning from his excursion, and bending under and sensible language. the weight of his mineral wealth, appeared in "Yes, that's a capital arrangement. Somesight. times I am a little long; but-" "If you belong to the village," quoth Father "In your case, father, I fancy brevity is esBasil, who did not take him for an ecclesiastic, sential to success; but of course you can act as " can you direct me to a house where I can wait you please. I offer you my opinion simply and till M. le Cure returns? He seems to be out." honestly. In this, as in every thing else, lib"Enter, reverend father; I am the cure," erty is our motto. And now I am going to and producing a key, Julio opened the door. take the lead in giving you an example of it." "You don't look much like one," said the And returning to his room he laid aside his monk. soutane once more and put on a large dressing" Oh, wait a minute," he answered, " I'll soon gown well wadded, a necessary precaution in a remedy that. You know the saying, father, cold climate, where changes of temperature are'Habitus non facit monachum.'" always sudden and severe. Depositing a little " Why, he's a thorough young mad-cap," said work-table in the middle of the room, and heapthe old man to himself; "my presence doesn't ing his minerals upon it, he began examining his awe him in the least." specimens with a microscope in order to classify "Pray sit down, father; I'm at your service." them. And Julio quietly deposited before the eyes of "We are very rich in minerals here, father. the astonished monk his great cylindrical box The Pyrenees, like the Apennines, contain alfull of plants, and his bag of minerals, and then most every variety of volcanic and depository went to his room to put on his soutane and take formation. So they supply me with an almost off his heavy boots. He was back in a moment, perfect history of the earth's crust. I am much his face bright with cheerful smiles. better off here than if I were in the centre of the "The vicar of St. Aventin has the honor to chain. I have only to follow the torrent of tender his respectful homage to the very rever- Arboust, to climb up to the Lake of Seculejo, end Father Basil; for I conclude that it was of and reach the Pic d'Espingo, all tolerably close, you that his highness wrote to me." and safer of access because there are so few " It is, Mr. Vicar." glaciers, and I am on the very summit of the "Welcome, father." range between France and Spain. Often at And he conducted him to the room which had these heights, three hundred metres above the been prepared for him, where the Capuchin de- level of the sea, the prodigious force which has posited his cargo of treasures duly blessed, de- broken the earth's crust with a gorge some eighty dining the refreshments which were offered to leagues long has thrown up, as in the case of the him, on the ground of having so recently break- Marbore, huge masses of calcareous rock which fasted; he was unwilling, he said, to spoil his have formed the basins of a series of lakes. appetite for dinner. These beds have preserved their level as though "Father," said Julio, "I am the master of the aqueous deposit had been collected at those this house, you understand, and am delighted vast elevations: most frequently the centre of to have the pleasure of entertaining you. But the chain presents granite masses of terrible let us be on a clear footing at first. I would hugeness. What an overwhelming concussion define it in a single sentence-' Each of us to be must that have been which has thus disordered completely independent of the other. Does that our globe and changed a vast plain, with its suit you?'" waters, into a giant wall of granite abutted right "Perfectly," said the Capuchin, little accus- and left by huge piles of these sedimentary fortomed, however, to find among the humble coun- mations which it has rent up. This shows you, try vicars of the diocese of T — such complete my father, that we have here all classes of rocks; self-possession, and such aristocratic and digni- beautiful granite, with which the baths at Lufied manners. chon are built; syenite, porphyry, and every va"We shall breakfast at 10, and dine at 5. riety of marble. But let me show you the reThose are my hours; they suit, too, the conven- suit of my day's excursion." ience of my housekeeper." And putting each fragment successively un"Very well, Mr. Vicar." der the microscope, he exhibited them to the "I have given out your services for every day monk. in the month, at sunset, that the people may "Here is a beautiful specimen of granite have time to get home to their evening meal. composite. The orthoze, quartz, and mica are It is their only disengaged hour. If your dis- in perfect proportions. Here is an exquisite courses are not too long, every thing will be fin- bit of quartz, I got it from a large vein which ished early, and you will be better understood. runs through the whole length of the ridge of All the families will contribute very largely to that mountain. Just notice, father, under the A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 79 instrument, the delicate hearts of those little "The text of the Bible is decisive,'Factum dark crystals. It is peroxyd of crystallized est vespere et mane dies unus!' That which manganese. I found, too, a piece of red por- has night and morning is a day like our own. phyry of extremely fine texture, such as the It would be absurd to talk of the evening and Egyptians employed for their vast tombs, their morning of a thousand years. You are indulgsphinxes, and the statues of their gods. Ex- ing in perilous subtleties, my young friend. All amine it well. I don't, however, suspect that these fine theories of yours help forward only the there is much of it here. Then, besides the infidel's triumph." rocks of aqueous and igneous formation, I find "Oh, my good father, whether you or I beothers, the result of droppings of water impreg- lieve the glorious revelations of science or not, nated with carbonate of lime and various acids. these revelations still remain. The Pope might Hence we have massive stalagmites, which come put it forth to-morrow, as an article of faith, under the head of marbles, and which are espe- that the epoch of creation was only twenty-four cially remarkable for their transparency and hours l1ng; but-" beautiful colors. But I am talking on too fast, "If Me Pope declared it you must believe it, father; I am afraid I shall tire you out with my or cease to be a Catholic." chatter." "Then if the Pope declared that two and two "Not by any means," answered the Capu- make thirty, you must believe it, or cease to be chin, in whose ears, however, the terms quartz, a Catholic?" oxyds, carbonate, and stalagmite sounded not "He wouldn't talk such rubbish." ulnlike certain words to be found in Babylonian. "Then he had better not talk the other." inscriptions. "It is wonderful," he said to himself, "that As soon as Julio had classified his specimens, when young men dip their nose into science in he put them in a drawer where the treasures this way they become what St. Augustine calls of each day had been arranged. Then taking'glorious animals,' and want to reform the some gray blotting-paper and opening his box Church! Oh blessed ignorance, how preferable of flowers, he pressed between the sheets the first thou art!" spring blossoms he had found, after having careThe monk, however, had no fancy to confess fully ascertained all their history, and finished modestly by his silence an utter lack of ac- up by ticketing each with a card bearing its sciquaintance with such matters. So he set to entific name. work, hunting in the innermost recesses of his So passed the afternoon at the presbytery. brain for some remembrances of the comment- Julio was perfectly at his ease. He kept his aries of Don Calmet on the age of the world and own place, and, what's more, kept Father Basil the Deluge, and discoursed upon those themes in his. to Julio with characteristic Capuchin assump — tion and stupidity. "You hold, then, with the modern theory as to CHAPTER VII. the successive ages of the world," he remarked.MONTH OF MAR "Yes, in obedience to the dictates of my senses." THE worthy Father Basil did ample justice to "Systems, after all; nothing but systems." his dinner, in spite of his breakfast at Luchon. "Systems, doubtless, father; but based upon Had Julio offered him two cups of coffee he facts. Hence the realities in scientific order." would not have declined them any more than "But don't you see that all this has been in- he did the old cognac. The dinner, like those vented by skeptics, to attack the faith?" that followed it, was very cheerful, and the Ca" Surely not, father. Our holy religion is puchin found the wine of the presbytery excelsupremely independent of positions like these. lent. What connection can it have with what I may In the evening, he asked Julio to leave him call the gradual congealing of the globe, in its the key of the sacristy, as he was in the habit transitions from a state of incandescence to a of spending his nights in the church. temperature adapted to animals and plants?" What strange inconsistencies there are in "But why not adhere to the record of Moses, men's minds! This monk, so fond of eating, limiting this transition, as you call it, to six and who eschewed water with his wine, inflicted days; and ascribing every thing to the direct upon himself most lugubrious privations. Evputting forth of Divine power? Do you think ery night he passed in the church. There, seatGod could not have created all you see in a mo- ed in the first chair he came across in the nave, ment of time?" after having finished his meditations and pray" Most undoubtedly He could; but that is ers, he would fall asleep from sheer necessitynot the question. What we have to do is to his feet on the cold stone, his limbs cramped by determine by an analysis of facts whether God his position. After having spent the night thus has organized the world with its mineral crust, unpleasantly, to say the least of it, he roused its vegetation, its animal life, in so many days himself in the morning to go through his brevior so many ages." ary-his physical condition better imagined than At.this crisis the monk thought a bit of Lat- described. in would have a good effect. The silence in old churches, peopled with 80 UNDER THE BAN. phantoms and dimly lighted with the pale altar While the corpulent monk, whose size was lamp-the scampering of living things in the somewhat excessive for Julio's little pulpit, was vaults-the shrill hootings of screech-owls singing his canticle, with an instrumental acalighting on the cornices-the eternal aves of companiment of expressive gestures and flashthe wind shaking the rafters-the weird echo ings as of fire from his eyes, the fascination was from the cries of thousands of invisible creatures incredible. The gloom of night, too, would dein the dim recesses of the roof or aisles-all scend slowly upon the dimly-lighted nave, where these combined to distinguish the Capuchin's the women were sitting huddled up, with the night by any thing but balmy repose. Often mountain men behind them, their huge hats in he relapsed in his dreams into the wildest par- their hands, gazing at the preacher with his oxysms of terror, as though he were raving in strange dress, red face, and harsh, fierce voice. apoplexy, screaming out to the Virgin to be People began to ask themselves whether it was good enough to help him; then he would sud- some witches' festival they were at, or, at all denly awake, and recall his scattered senses by events, whether they were really in the house of the aid of the sanctuary lamp and its Widence God, where they had been taught to worship in as to where he was, not a little relieved to ascer- the beauty of holiness. tain that it was not hell after all. We shall not attempt to follow Father Basil The upright position which he was obliged to through all his sermons; they were neither brillmaintain lest he should roll on the damp pave- iant in argument nor style. At rare intervals, ment in his sleep affected, as may be supposed, some flashings forth of an impassioned spirit his digestion, and so accounted for his dreams. caused a thrill to run through the audienceHis thirst was awful. His wine and coffee, so such as an orator can readily command. But pleasant the day before, entirely disagreed with it soon died off. There followed the usual comhim. To be brief, he was in that state that no- monplaces-apocryphal tales, expressions in bad thing but brandy would do for him. taste, outrageous hyperboles, too frequent harshHad Father Basil liked, he might have re- ness of phrase, from which even the least refined vived in his own experience, for the edification would shrink. The whole thing resulted in a of the faithful, the visions of St. Antony in the flaming affair, working the brain very uncomfortdesert. ably, and exercising an effect upon the underDuring the whole thirty days that he spent standing akin to that of bad meat on the stomat St. Aventin Martha had not once to make his ach. It was the old pulpit style adapted to bed. But morning after morning the miserable country missions; a style actually extant in the fanatic was completely broken down. His huge present day, to the great grief of certain rural flabby cheeks, so rosy in the daytime, were pos- populations. itively colorless, and blotched here and there It was not very like Julio's. That excellent with red patches, as though he had been con- young gentleman amused himself at sly times nected with bloodshed. by writing a veracious chronicle of the mission, The celebration of the mass soothed the poor containing the subjects of the sermons, the songs wretch. His was a faith of instinct, utterly in- sung, and the singular narratives with which each nocent of thought; so in the holy mysteries he discourse was enriched, as with plums. Unhapfound relief for the tumult begotten of wine and pily, however, it has not turned up among his night-watching. papers, beyond a few brief extracts. Often was Julio filled with pity for him, as, Among Father Basil's theses were-Hell, the rising himself at an early hour from his bed, he Judgment, Dancing, Sunday labor, the Rosary, rejoiced in a season of holy communing with his and the devotion of the Sacred Heart. gracious Father. But of all of these, that on the Rosary was "See," he thought, " where the exaggeration the most original. Julio had it almost all down. of any truth may lead a man. Here is this un- We copy verbatim from his own manuscript: happy monk mortifying the flesh all the night "The protection of Mary is so assured to her through, while in the day he excites it with worshipers that it extends even to the inferior strong drink to the verge of intoxication. Is creation. And here, my brethren, don't think that evangelical mortification? 0 ye Christian I am inventing a story-it is quite authentic, fakirs, when will ye leave the Church?" and occurred in a town in Italy. In that counOn the eve of the 1st of May the Capuchin try people are far more devoted to Mary than commenced his mission by mounting the pulpit. you are. Now, a lady had a parroquet, and this He had once a fineroice; it was strong yet, but parroquet was very clever. But instead of teachin tone like a cracked bell. Yet in spite of that ing it to swear she instructed it to say'Ave he wouldn't for all the world have missed sing- Maria!' One day, when the bird was on its ing one of those old carols, in former days so perch before its mistress's door, a great hawk popular in the country, before each of his ser- perceived it, and, pouncing down, carried it off mons. That on the first day had the following in its talons, in the sight of the whole neighborrefrain: hood, despite the poor thing's screams of despair. But, 0 marvel, scarcely had the bird felt itself Venez, ap la miion1, done for, than it luckily remembered its devout Le Seigneur, qui vous appele, prayer, and set to work to cry'Ave Maria!' Vent votre conversion. with all its lungs. The holy Virgin heard the A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 81 orison; for no sooner had the cry been raised The reverend father was mightily in favor of than the hawk dropped his pray and fell to the exorcism; but Julio was for the doctor. She was earth struck by lightning. conveyed to a hospital in Luchon, to the great "The fact has been attested by credible wit- disgust of the Capuchin, who thought the matnesses; and I have read it in a work devoted to ter ought to have been regarded by no means the wonders of Mary." from a medical point of view. He had missed He gave another, equally singular and authen- a fine opportunity of being disagreeable to the tic: devil, by driving him from his quarters. " One day a lady very devoted to the Virgin Julio saw at once the danger of this sort of went on pilgrimage, unknown to her husband. thing. He was not disposed, however, to go to She made sure of returning that night; but a war with the archbishop by sending the Capuvery violent storm prevented her. The next chin about his business. Faithful to his obligaday the poor woman reached her home greatly tions as a priest, he maintained his constant alarmed; for, you must know, her husband was spirit of submission to authorized power, and a strict disciplinarian. To her surprise, however, courtesy to all. he met her as though nothing had occurred. So he tolerated the monk, giving him good He had not been conscious of her absence. dinners and capital wine, only, while Father " You see, my brethren, the holy Virgin had Basil was over his bottle, he took a mild revenge assumed the appearance of that pious lady, and by mischievous gnat-like teasings which almost attended to the little home-duties all the even- turned the old gentleman's brain. ing. Nor was she off till the bona fide wife ar- "Ah, father," he would say, "you take a rived." world of useless trouble. How can you ever Julio had some difficulty in keeping from a expect my people to understand your disquisiroar of laughter as he ran over in his mind all tions on asceticism?" the conceivable occupations of Mary on that "Oh, they understand well enough. The eventful evening. So the sermon was not ut- Spirit of God speaks to the little and the ignoterly lost, in point of effect. rant." Next to the glories of Mary came those of Jo- "Beyond a doubt, when you teach them pracseph. Indeed, that saint had one discourse all tical things capable of being understood by them, to himself. such as daily family duties, the endurance of " We have had good right to assure you that common hardships, the forgiveness of injuries." the faithful worshipers of Mary will never per- "Piety is of universal range." ish. And now I shall remind you" (and here' No denying that; but what is piety but he made a vigorous demonstration)-" now I duty accomplished? These men who listen to shall remind you that the same fact holds good you every evening, because your strong voice, with reference to her husband." your gestures, your eloquent use of illustration On the night of that sermon he distributed, arrests them-do you know what manner of men at the door of the church, an appropriate little they are? They are foresters, laborers, herlsbook, as a precious remembrance of the mission, men, or smugglers under the name of'izzard recommending it to those whose scholarship was hunters.' It's about all that a priest can do to up to the mark for evening reading at home. convince them that they have a soul in the imHis liberality produced quite a sensation age of God, and that they will have to give acamong the peasants-not very much given to count of their life. They fear the devil more making presents themselves, but particularly than God, and have more faith in sorcerers than fond of getting them. The audience swelled in all the missionaries that ever lived. Impregvisibly from the day that the father announced nated with all sorts of superstitions, they dethat he meant to distribute similar books, med- moralize religion itself. Not unfrequently they als, and the loveliest images every night run- come to me asking me to give them a mass to ning. revenge themselves on some one who had inMeanwhile the sermons went on. Enrap- jured them, either (as they fancy) by bewitchtured with the size of his congregation, the ora- ing their cattle, or making one of their children tor set no limits to the wildness of his myths or waste away under the' evil-eye.' Add to this the sternness of his asceticism. what is notorious of their morals and habits, and One evening he preached to the indifferent, you have a fair idea of your present congreand related the adventures of a nun who used gation. Alas! alas! try to induce them to be to communicate regularly, but who, neverthe- Christians before you attempt to make them less, one morning, found herself possessed with mystics. Set before them truth and right, that a devil. He pictured the state of those people they may learn what these are and begin at last in such sort that the few women present who to be men. At present, as soon as you are gone, were regular in their devotions were horribly they will be exactly as you found them." alarmed. And when the assembly was break- "Do you think so, Mr. Vicar? You take a ing up, one of them, naturally very excitable, despondent view." planted herself before the door of the church, "Despondent if you will; but I'm right for yelling out, " I am possessed with a devil. Fa- all that." ther, come and exorcise me!" and went off into "But you would dispense with missions?" frightful convulsions, ending by going mad. "I can't say I see them to be indispensable." F 82 UNDER THE BAN. "But how would you dispose of the precept, him. He had been forewarned of her, indeed,'Go and teach?"' at T-, by one of his fellow-students, who had "Quite another matter that. Missions and told him there was an evil-minded bigot in his teaching are two entirely different things." parish, against whom he would have to be on "According to that, then, we religious mis- his guard, describing the individual in question. sionaries are good for nothing." Consequently he received her courteously, in"Those were not my words." deed, as was his habit, but with considerable "But not far from them." caution. And the Capuchin, draining off a parting The Sunday after his installation she was his bumper of mulled Spanish wine, smuggled (we first penitent. Having completed her confesmust acknowledge) into St. Aventin, rose, and sion, she begged him to allow her a few minutes darting a furious look at his opponent, retired more. to prepare for his evening performance. "Father, it would be as well that we should Monks are infallible, be it remembered, it be intimate," she said: "I have some influence doesn't do to contradict them. in the parish, having lived here for many years. My independent position enables me to be of use." And then she went on to unfold cleverly a CHAPTER VIII. cut-and-dried scheme of hers, well calculated to take in any man less on the alert than Julio. M OOTHER JUDAS. The practical bearing of all which was that AMONG the more apparently devout of Julio's he was to understand that she had all the young parishioners was one lady of enthusiastic profes- women of the parish in her power. She was sion, whom, with all his simple straightforward- ready to enlighten him on all description of famness and his horror of pharisaism and underhand ily matters, and so further his usefulness very doings, he could not help displeasing. This materially. Thus establishing his influence over dame, whom Louise, when she had got to know the future mothers of the parish, he would be able her thoroughly, called Mother Judas, belonged to reduce it to a most admirable pattern system. to the highly respectable family of Montrejeau. In short, she proposed to the young pastor a She had tried three or four religious orders; but treaty of alliance offensive and defensive. her restless disposition, jealous temperament, Julio at first contented himself with replying and conceit had prevented her from settling in by monosyllables to her fine speeches-" Yes, any. After having lived turn-about at Tarbes, yes; we shall see;" but said with such a tone Toulouse, and St. Gaudens, she had established that the old woman, who was sharp enough to herself at St.Aventin, where the fresh air, she have detected twenty Julios, was in no way desaid, invigorated her nerves, and where she sub- ceived, but saw at once that the bait had not sisted on a pension allowed her by her family. been swallowed. Then, changing her mode of This Madame de la Caprede, banished to the attack, and employing all the address that a womountains, began to get old in every thing but man's wit could command, she managed, by clevmind. All that she had acquired in her con- er twistings of the conversation, to tell him that vent life, of intolerance, love of power, and hab- she had conceived the highest idea of his talits of espionage, she practiced on a large scale ents, merit, and capacity; that she had often at St. Aventin. At the same time, with these heard of the secretary of the late cardinal from a heavy drawbacks, due to her religious training T — clergyman, who had deeply interested her and natural character, she combined qualities in his history; and that she would be most which endeared her to the mountaineers. Hence thankful to be guided by him, and to follow in for many years she had been-by means of young every thing his enlightened counsels. girls whom she had entrapped into societies of Julio, on whom all these pretty remarks took the Rosary, the Sacrd-Coeur, and the Scapular, no more effect than they would have done on with others of the same kind enriched by indul- one of those granite specimens which he had gences by the Pope-the centre of every relig- shown to Father Basil, thought it necessary to ious movement in the place. In a word, Ma- wind up the conference a little summarily, the dame de la Caprede was the female vicar of the more so as it threatened to be rather protracted. parish. " I shall be ever at your service, my dear sis. As she had kept up to some extent her con- ter, in matters relating to your conscience. As ventual dress, the general public, which is not for the direction of the parish, believe me, I over-particular as to accuracy in such matters, should shrink instinctively from employing any called her sister, others mother, while the young means but those which the Church provides in girls, who acknowledged her as their lady abbess, pulpit teaching. There I have my people besaluted her, each one, as "My good mother." fore me, I instruct and counsel them; the rest Her disposition was only to love those whom is with God." she could bind to her allegiance. Julio's prede- And so saying he relapsed into an icy silence. cessor, a childish dotard, had been led by her to Then, after a moment in which each felt a thrill such an extent that he did nothing without her of repugnance for the other, he added, advice. So when Julio arrived on the scene she "Have you any thing further to say?" took great pains to be among the first to meet She was conquered for once; and, thrown A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 83 back upon herself, like a boar unable to break "Do not force me to say," he quietly rethe net in which it had been captured, resigned plied, "that in the condition of mind in which herself to matters of a private and personal I believe you to be at this moment I should character. consider it an extreme indulgence to permit you Would he let her communicate daily (the to communicate at Easter." tone was painfully agitated now), as her dear The veil fell from her eyes. She saw that old confessor that was gone had done? she was found out, and ventured neither reply "As for that, sister, that's a serious matter, nor murmur. But the sword pierced her soul. which I will not settle to-day. I find daily She hated Julio before, now she was bent on communion is too much for the priest. The revenge. She would be his perpetual spy. Church has only sanctioned it under compul- "Scirent si ignoscere Manes." sion, and because of the necessities of the ministry. The exception has, in point of fact, be- The house of Madame de la Caprede being come the rule. But I do not recognize the ne- close to the Parsonage, she had distinctly seen cessity in the case of persons who, like yourself, the stranger, with whose history we are already make a profession of piety. Communicate to- acquainted, enter the church, but she had not day and next Thursday. We will make any seen her leave. Curious to understand this, she further arrangement by-and-by." kept up a late watch as the night drew on. As That utterly unlooked-for decision fell like a soon, however, as she heard Julio drawing, as thunder-bolt on her wretched head. usual, the heavy bolts of the church door, she As soon as he had pronounced the benedic- concluded that the young girl, whom she suption and closed the grating she retired, her face posed to have come on a pilgrimage to St. Avenpurple with suppressed passion and her eyes tin, had passed out under the wall unperceived. wild with excitement. Kneeling down and Among her convent habits which she still clenching her head between her hands, as she kept up was one of rising at daybreak and lightbent on the front of her seat, she whispered to ing a lamp to perform her early devotions, on herself, " This man is no priest." which occasions she was arrayed in an immense And from that moment she regarded him with black hood, such as the Pyreneean females alimplacable hatred. ways wear at church. That he should have resented her aid, she As ill-luck would have it, she happened to said, must have arisen from inexperience in par- raise her eyes to her room window just as Julio ish matters, or else, possibly, from defiance of was escorting the young girl from the presbytery one whom he didn't know. But that he should the first thing in the morning, and setting her have ventured to deprive her, " the good mo- on the road to Luchon. She recognized them ther," of her daily communion-one who, for ten at once, and came to her own conclusions, withyears under the previous vicar, had blessed the out attempting to conceive of any possible exparish-one by common consent a saint, and planation. Had the girl been a relation, she nothing short of it-it was positively fearful! would not have arrived so late to leave so early; Then, too, what would they say in the place? had she been a pilgrim, he would have lodged What wouldn't they think when they saw her her in the village, and not have compromised so many days absent from the holy table? himself by sheltering her in the presbytery. She A perfect turmoil of extravagant thoughts branded him at once as the worst of men, and whirled in her excited brain. Should she not bewailed the day that made him her spiritual write to the archbishop, and complain of the act guide. of injustice? But no-the archbishop would The arrival of Father Basil was a great comreply that he had nothing to do with such mat- fort to her. She went every three or four days ters, of which the confessor only was a compe- to confess to him; and the Capuchin was not tent judge. Should she implore the young vi- the man to rebuff one apparently so eager for car not to deprive her of her old privileges? his ministration, and whom he had begun to reAlas! he did not seem a promising subject for gard as a saint. The first day she went to him softening. She would run a risk of failing; she complained of her desolate condition in that and could she brook a refusal at her age? Should place, and of the scant spiritual advantage to be she come to the altar every morning and set derived from so young a priest, and one so little him at defiance? No, that would be nonsense, devoted to his ministry. an unseemly fight. She was averse to scandals. " It is very true, my dear daughter, you have The only thought absent from all this elabo- just cause for complaint; but you must submit rate soliloquy was the thought of God. to your heavy cross." Julio, on the other hand, who never tempo- "It is indeed heavy, father. Happily God rized with his conscience, was inflexible in the has sent you to me, as an angel of comfort to course he had resolved upon, and made no sustain me at a time when the trial would have change. overwhelmed me. Oh, my father, forgive my One day, indeed, he brought matters to a cri- unreserve, but I have suffered fearfully since the sis. After many lamentations, sighs, and be- archbishop sent us that wretched man." wailings from Madame de Caprede, called forth "Explain yourself, daughter; you are well by his obduracy in adhering to a decision which aware that one of the chief objects of monseishe assured him was to her worse than death: gneur in dispatching me to St. Aventin was that 84 UNDER THE BAN. I might be able to watch this priest, whom he your permission to divulge it, as though it had has sent here in sheer compassion, being unwill- simply been told in a private conversation." ing to cast him off after all his irregularities, "I shrink greatly, father, from acting as an telling me at the same time that he thought him informer." very foolish." "An informer, daughter, by no means. In "Ah, father, if he were only foolish!......" piously advertising the authorities of such irreg"What are you driving at? Have you any ularities you are only doing your duty." serious charge to urge against him?" " If it is so, then I authorize you to make use " My father, I can not; it would be too pain- of my confession for the purpose of putting the ful. Pray excuse me." archbishop in possession of the facts of the case." This intentional reserve of Madame de la Ca- And that very day the Capuchin having made prede served only, as she intended, to excite the up his mind to forward to T- without delay monk to the highest pitch of curiosity; he began a fatal report of Julio, took his place at the alto feel the spirit of an inquisitor rising within tar without the slightest hesitation, and adminhim. istered the communion to his bigoted confidante. " In the name of God, my daughter, in the name of our holy religion, I command you totell me all the truth. We dare not have a scandal undxposed in the sanctuary. Christ ex- CHAPTER IX. pelled the buyers and sellers from the temple with a. whip of small cords."E MIACLE. The comparison was not a happy one. How- FOREMOST among the St. Aventin girls over ever, the remembrance of the Master's zeal whom Madame de la Caprede exercised a most against the profaners of the temple excited Fa- absolute sovereignty was Lisette Cabarous. She ther Basil's enthusiasm. was a nervous, impulsive little thing, addicted " Let this example, daughter, teach us. Let to hysterics, and, thanks to an imagination which us not listen to the dictates of a false charity the worthy mother had been at the pains to inwhen we are called upon to detect the hidden flame to the very highest conceivable degree, on leper, and prevent his leprosy from infecting the the verge of ranging in the wildest order of visflock. Courage, daughter, I command you to ionaries. Night after night, and all the night tell me every thing, in the name of God." long, she heard voices. Often she awoke to find Which were the very words that the old fire- herself standing erect on the foot-board of her brand had wanted him to say. bed, half-way between earth and heaven, in a " Well, my revered father, since God com- state of ecstasy. Her intellect had decided limmands me by your mouth I must obey, let it its, and the development of her judgment and cost me what it will. I will tell you what I saw common sense was in an inverse ratio to that of in very simple words, leaving it to your wisdom her years and visionary faculties. to decide whether a parish may safely be trusted Unfortunately, she was an only child. Her any longer to such a man." father was one of the richest proprietors in the And then, without omitting the least appar- valley. The young lady, exempted from that ently unfavorable circumstance, she told him all outdoor work which would have proved an adshe had witnessed: how the young girl had ar- mirable antidote for her peculiarities, divided rived in the evening, had crept into the church her whole day between the church, Madame in the hope that she had not been observed, and Caprede, and reading the devotional books with had left in the morning before daylight. which her library was stocked, and to which she "And now you know the cause of my an- had most carefully added those distributed by guish, father. Had I not a house here I would Father Basil. leave this accursed place at once, and shun any Madame de la Caprede was immensely defurther intercourse with this sacrilegious priest. voted to St. Joseph. At the time of the procTrue, my personal wrongs are nothing in com- lamation of the dogma of the immaculate conparison with what I have just told you; yet I ception of the Virgin, an ecclesiastic tolerably may say he has so far carried his contempt for up in history had told her that Dr. Gerson had his religious duties as to forbid me daily com- wished to proclaim, at the council of Constance, munion. He is graciously pleased to allow me the immaculate conception of St. Joseph-an this privilege on Sundays and Thursdays. So idea which had taken profound hold of her inyou may imagine, father, what a state I am tellect. Why should St. Joseph, her private in." saint, be grudged the privileges conceded to the "I'll soon settle that matter, dear daughter, Virgin? she would ask. only, as all that you have told me has been un- The little work on St. Joseph which the Capder the seal of confession, I dare not divulge uchin had distributed had not failed to excite what I have heard. I am supposed when we her to still deeper devotion: the result being part to be as though I had never known any that it was finally decided in committee, by the thing you may have said. In order, therefore, mother and her angelic young supporters, that that I may make use of the information I have St. Joseph next year was to have the whole of just received for the purpose of drawing up a the month of March to himself. detailed report to the archbishop, I must get What a blessing it would be if they could per A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 85 suade Father Basil to take up this little matter pointed to inform my Church that the moment in the pulpit! has arrived for awarding me like honors with Lisette Cabarous had been tremendously struck those which have fallen to the lot of my most with the monk. His great gown of gray woolen holy and most admirable wife." cloth, his heavy cowl, rope girdle, shaved head, Losing all consciousness, she found herself bare feet-not to mention his beard, which, ac- next morning in the attitude in which the saint cording to the proverb, was half the business- had left her, having passed the night with anhad told upon her. The form that dress con- gels, saints, monks, choirs of virgins, and Facealed belonged not to a man, but to an angel. ther Basil, while the coronation of St. Joseph From the day of his first appearance in the had been the central event of her dreams. pulpit of St. Aventin she divided her entire time "Tell it to the reverend father, my dear between the church and Madame de la Caprede, child; tell it him at once, before mass. It is going home only to eat and sleep. Yet further a revelation-a miracle-yes, a miracle." copying her patroness, whom she followed in ev- And as soon as it was light the mother posted cry thing with ape-like fidelity, she took to very off with Lisette to the church, like one possessearly rising and quiet visits to the revered old ed, crying, "A miracle! a miracle!" lady. Father Basil was by the confessional, waiting "Mother beloved! it is your Lisette" (here a for his customary penitents. gentle tap at the door); " she has come to join Soon Lisette knelt before the grating, and the you in your morning prayer." monk hastily disappeared behind the curtain. Of course she let slip no opportunity of hav- She narrated her vision at once, and wound up ing an interview with the Capuchin. She man- by asking him if he thought that St. Joseph aged so well that, alleging a desire to make was favorably disposed to her. great progress to perfection by commencing a "Yes, beloved daughter; and here is a proof new life more separated from herself and every that he would have you dedicate yourself to thing of a material character, urging, moreover, him. He will be your protector. Meanwhile, her anxiety to make the reverend father as thor- we must see about disseminating the tidings of oughly acquainted as possible with the state of this event. Yours is a great, a holy mission; her soul, in order the better to ascertain what and I thank God for permitting such brilliant her vocation was, she presented herself almost displays of His glory. We live in an age of daily at the confessional during the first fifteen miraculous revelations. Yours will be added days of Father Basil's presence in St. Aventin. to those of Salette and Lourdes. Happy child, Ardent and susceptible in the highest degree, your name will be mentioned every where with drinking in deep draughts of his words as greed- Melanie and Bernadette. Do you authorize me ily as a sun-scorched flower drinks in the pleas- to write an account of it?" ant rain, she became, with all the simplicity of "With all my heart, father." a child and the burning aspirations of a Magda- "We must have a mass to thank God, in len, the darling of the moment-one of those your name, for this manifestation. Be assured privileged favorites on whom worthy priests lav- that great good will result from it to the parish ish, without the least misgiving, terms of the and the entire mountain." tenderest endearment, never thinking that hu- In a very few hours, thanks to the combined man hearts are weak, and human heads capable indefatigable efforts of the mother and her young of easy turning, sisterhood, St. Aventin and all the valley rang On the 16th of May Lisette came to the mo- with the event.' ther before daylight in an ecstasy of enthusiasm. The monk, who thoroughly went in for the She told her, with trembling eagerness, that on whole thing, and was taken up, moreover, with the previous night, as she entered her room, at the report he purposed making of it to the archone end of which she had constructed a small bishop, scarcely spoke a word at breakfast; and oratory to St. Joseph, the image of the saint ap- leaving the table hastily-not, however, without peared to be suddenly illuminated, swelled to doing full justice to food and wine-withdrew life-size, and marched toward her. to his own apartment, to give a final touch to "Daughter," it observed, "the faithful are his manuscript account. very rude to me. I am not jealous of my most Julio, having no calls upon his time in the holy and most admirable wife the Virgin Mary; middle of the day, went for a quiet walk. The but since she has been declared immaculate, I flowers were blossoming almost under his eyes, may remark that I am immaculate also. For in those parts where the snow had disappeared. you will see at once that, standing to her in the Returning to dinner, he found groups of mountrelation in which I do, I could not well be oth- aineers assembled in the little market-place of erwise." St. Aventin, and evident signs of great exciteWhereupon the apparition stepped back slow- ment in the village. He had scarcely sat down ly, and by the time it had reached the end of to table with the monk, when Martha, full of the apartment subsided into the original image. the grand occurrence herself, and noticing that Lisette had hardly commenced thanking the her master appeared to be ignorant of it, exsaint for the honor of the visit when he appeared claimed, a second time, and, approaching her, said: "Then you don't know what has happened, " You are the lady, daughter, who will be ap- M. le Cure?" 86 UNDER THE BAN. "What, Martha?" " Could she be taken in herself?" "Lor'! that is strange!-that M. le Cure is "Oh! nothing easier." the only person in St. Aventin who doesn't know "What! do you mean to say that she didn't of this miracle, as every body is talking about hear what she says she heard?-that the venerfrom here to Luchon. Ah, it's wonderful that! able personage who said to her,'I am Joseph,' Why, there's the mother wild about it. She's and spoke of the Virgin as his wife, was not so pleased; and I'm a-trembling so, I can scarce Joseph? Who was he then? A supernatural speak." event comes either from God or the devil. But' What miracle do you allude to?" the latter can have no interest in spreading the " Why, M. le Cure, sure the miracle as have worship of St. Joseph. So he is innocent of this happened to Lisette Cabarous." phenomenon. Answer me now." "Well, and what more?" "That's readily done, father. I am sorry to "Oh, the reverend father knows all about it; say that your dilemma is not insurmountable. he will tell you better nor me. Madame de la Besides visions attributable to the two sources Caprede said that he was a-going to write an ac- you name there are those of an overexcited count of it to the archbishop." brain-hallucinations and delusions, not to men"It's quite true, M. le Cure," said Father Ba- tion the mistaking a simple dream for a genuine sil, thinking it time to strike in: "an event of apparition. Before we credit a supernatural acgreat importance-a miraculous revelation has count it should be established to our satisfaction occurred in the parish. Yesterday evening it that the witness could not be deceived into repleased God to intimate His will by word of garding as an indisputable fact what was bat the mouth to a young saint-I may say a young an- effect of chronic nightmare. When you have gel. Surely such a fact is enough to make a proved this much of that silly little Lisette I will pastor's heart overflow with joy, and his eyes begin to discuss the particulars of the revelation. with tears." Till then I see only in this the fifth edition of "Not so fast, my reverend father. Before I similar marvels which have greeted my ears proceed to weep, let me know what I am to weep since I came to this place. I had succeeded in for. What is this manifestation made to Miss quieting a little her excited brain. Her father, Cabarous?-a young lady, I may remark in pass- a worthy, sensible man, who was exceedingly ing, all nerves and ecstasies. Miracles are easy distressed at seeing her in a state of mind dewith such temperaments. But let that pass. dared by the doctor to be so fatal to the health God spoke by Balaam's ass." at her particular age, came only the other day "Just like you. You would seek by buffoon- to thank me for my advice to his daughter, ascry to......" suring me that her hysterical attacks had been "By no means. I've good reason for smil- fewer for some time past. And now here she ing at her visions. This is the fifth she has is beginning all over again. In my judgment, had by her own account. I recommended her they are very infatuated or very wicked who ento be prudently quiet on such points, and she courage her to believe that she is inspired." was sensible enough at one time to take my ad- These last words were a heavy blow to the vice. But come, tell me the whole affair, if incautious monk. He felt his enthusiasm coolthere's any thing in it." ing down, and a small remnant of reason urged Whereupon the monk, delighted to come over him to the reflection that perhaps he had gone the incredulous vicar, repeated, almost word for a little too far. Had not the report to the archword, his written account of the matter, consid- bishop been in the postman's hands at that moerably enlarged and embellished by his imagina- ment it is probable that he would have hesitated tion. to send it. But it was too late to retract now. "Is that all, reverend father?" Moreover, it was too much to expect, from "All! Why, you are unreasonable! What his monastic dignity, that he should be silent more would you have?" under the good sense and sound judgment of a " Merely a brain uncrazed, nerves undiseased, young priest whom he had so shamefully and and something better for a subject than a little contemptibly slandered. Yet, even in the most hysterical child." bigoted minds, conscience speaks at times, and " Quite so: there speaks science! You are for a moment Father Basil listened to her voice, only warming up the skeptic's argument that and felt the risings of remorse. Then, shaking ecstasies and revelations are simply the results off the better feeling, he summoned up once of hysteria. Can you question the good faith more all the haughtiness and infallibility of the of this girl? Isn't she a straightforward, truth- monk. ful witness, incapable of forging a lie? Now " M. le Cure, there is another who will judge when such a witness of such a miracle is evi- of this matter. I have reported it to the archdently neither deceived nor a deceiver, what rea- bishop: his highness will decide." sonable doubt can you oppose to what she says? Julio made no answer; his silence and the By your theory the most undisputed miracles, dignified look he bestowed on the Capuchin such as those in the Gospels, would be assailed. served as a concluding chastisement. Come, did that girl wish to take us in?" Once committed to this silly business, Father "No, poor child! I know her to be too hon- Basil suffered nothing to stop him. To have est and simple for that." paused would have been to acknowledge that the A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 87 priest was right and he was wrong; to deceive lief, even though he were the vicar of St. Aventhe enthusiastic Lisette, and to expose himself tin himself, he would have been torn in pieces, to a charge of inconsistency from Mother Ca- like another Pestheus, by another horde of Bacprede-with whom he had already gone so far chants. in the matter. He had scarcely returned to the presbytery That evening there was a tightly-packed crowd with the monk, impressed with the deepest comround the church; and scarcely had the first passion for the excited people and the fanatical stroke of the bell rung through the valley, where Capuchin, when a woman and child, rather carit was echoed back from rock to rock, than the ried than escorted by the delirious crowd, reachpeople, roused to the highest excitement by the ed the door. The good woman asserted, in the news of the miracle, broke into the building like presence of Father Basil, who had stated his a resistless wave, filled in a few minutes the willingness to receive any depositions catculated nave, side aisles, and chapels, and went so far to confirm the recent occurrence, that her young as to establish themselves on the ascent to the child, aged seven, on the same evening that Lialtar. A mob is excitable, even in reference to sette Cabarous had encountered her little expethat which is most sacred. They won't allow rience, had heard a voice saying so distinctly their feelings to be trifled with. That day they that there could be no mistake about it, " Devowere thoroughly taken up with a miracle of most tion ought to be rendered to St. Joseph quite as marvelous proportions. So Julio and the monk much as to Mary." had the utmost difficulty to keep the sanctuary The monk's face brightened. He took down free; while the latter was steaming all over with great solemnity the depositions of this lady, when he appeared in the pulpit. supported by several witnesses. As, with all his righteous anger against Julio, As soon as she had gone he burst out, he had in no way fallen off in zealous activity "Now, M. le Cure, is there any thing to quesat his recent repast, he brought his usual amount tion here? See how it confirms the revelation of fever-heated eloquence to bear upon the sub- made to that blessed child." ject. Alluding to the size of the concourse, he For answer Julio shrugged his shoulders. observed that he fully understood what that ar- " Well, what have you got to say?" asked the dent, upturned gaze-the most ardent he had monk, with visible satisfaction. ever beheld-demanded from him. Then he "That such evidence is simply ridiculous." enlarged upon the miraculous revelation which The Capuchin boiled over. had been vouchsafed to her who, he said, would "Ha! Evidence ridiculous! Pray, Mr. Vicbe the glory of St. Aventin through coming ages. ar, don't you happen to be aware that holy bishHe adduced a large number of similar occurren- ops have received as true similar statements of ces, inferring thence that truth was on the side voices heard only by infant ears, even by infants of the Catholics; that they alone were miracu- of five years of age? Here is a case of seven: lously aided in maintaining and developing it. the age which the Church has assigned as that He acknowledged that the manifestation to Li- at which children can discern. The wind blowsette Cabarous could only be regarded as reli- eth where it listeth.'Ex ore infantium perfeable, and entitled to respect, after the archbishop cisti laudem.'" had passed canonical judgment upon it; but The delighted monk had slipped in a bit of took care to add that he had no doubt whatever Latin. that that sanction would be obtained. Finally, Before night two new miracles were added to he congratulated the happy St. Aventin people his list. on having been visited by God, as Abraham was An old woman, afflicted with a malady which by the angels, in the person of one of the holiest had been pronounced incurable by the doctors, and simplest of their children, with a view to informed Father Basil that, having suddenly the promotion in the world of the worship of applied to St. Joseph, she had got better immegreat St. Joseph. diately. She came, in fact, to the presbytery This sermon roused all present to enthusiasm. shouting-" A miracle! a miracle! St. Joseph The news of the occurrence spread in a few days has cured me!" through all the valleys from Valcabrere and St. A lame lady also called, and stated that, havBeat to the most distant mountain fastnesses. ing asked St. Joseph, on the strength of the apThe next Sunday more than 10,000 persons pearance which he had made to Lisette Cabarthronged the Luchon road: some having come ous, to be good enough to look at her leg, after even from the valley of Arreau, which had only a cracking sound inside it had recovered its old been accessible a few days. The excitement position so thoroughly that she was now able to was extraordinary. The monk, wild with ex- use it without the slightest difficulty. ultation, extemporized a pulpit on the spot where "In good truth," said the monk, when he was the people had congregated, and addressed them alone with Julio, "that man must be very obwith his customary perspiring vehemence, being stinate who will not recognize in all these facts interrupted from time to time by frantic cries- a proof of divine intervention." "Yes, a miracle! a miracle!" " It is very clear," was the answer, " that you During this tremendous manifestation of pop- can have no conception of similar facts accomular feeling Julio maintained a discreet silence. plished in due physiological course without any Had any one ventured to oppose the general be- supernatural aid. Such mighty influences have 88 UNDER THE BAN. been wrought in the system by excitements of glorious truth of the Immaculate Conception of the brain that astounding results have followed. St. Joseph. The son of a certain King of Lydia cried out to Farewell, finally, to all-old and young, rich a soldier who was on the point of killing his and poor, through all the parish, among the royal father,' Soldier, do not kill Crcesus!' The brightest and the best of those faithful to the child had been dumb till then; but at the sight Church. of that imminent peril he recovered his speech. Only the vicar was excepted. By way of comBedridden paralytics have made use of all their pensation the Capuchin, on quitting the presbylimbs in escaping from a hospital on fire. Then tery, stammered out some phrases of mock cithere are the still better substantial facts in con- vility, to which Julio returned the following nection with St. Medard. And do you suppose reply: with the Jansenists, reverend father, that each "Reverend father, custom would require from of these strange occurrences was a direct exhi- me an acknowledgment of your services; but I bition of miraculous power? Medical science can not deceive you. I can find only one thing proves that there have been cures of all kinds to thank you for-your purpose, which I believe wrought through the imagination, especially to have been honest. I am confident that you among ladies, in circumstances the most ex- came here with the idea of doing good. Unfortraordinary, and often in the prospect of immi- tunately, by your ill-considered zeal, you have nent death. Doctors are too sensible to call completely failed in your object; on the one such healings miracles: let us imitate them in hand, you have overexcited a quiet people, you this matter." have kindled up within them that superstitious And so the discussion terminated. impulse which tends to create forgetfulness of God, while it absorbs the soul in a host of puer+~ —-t~ —-ilities unworthy of that mighty and magnificent creed proclaimed by the Gospel and the Church. CHAPTER X. You have diminished the growth of true religion among us; puffed up with hopeless conceit our TIIs MISSIONARY RETIRES.^ women, old and young, who regard piety as a IT is a sorrowful fact that every thing has an thing of feeling, and devotional exercises as the end in this world of ours: the delights of the pastime of an indolent and useless life. On the richest entertainments, the enjoyments of the other hand, you have lent no aid in exterminamost brilliant gatherings, even the bliss of sit- ting those vices with which our poor mountainting under Capuchin preachers. eers are penetrated through and through. I do The customary wind-up of the May observ- not blame you for your clemency; I am disposed ance came to an end with what is called in mis- to it myself. God is a father to console, not a sionary parlance "final adieus." Father Basil master to strike down. At the same time you was great at tears; fortified by a good meal he have recklessly absolved all these men who would was ready for any amount of them. Now weep- have been pointed at through the whole parish ing is as contagious, in its way, as yawning; had they not'gained their mission,' without reand when that fat voice had reached the lachry- fleeting that to-morrow they will relapse with remose point a heart-rending cry ran through the newed energy into their old iniquities. entire audience, mingled with sobs verging on "You have listened only to the applause of suffocation. So it fell out that they were strik- a few devotees, whose heads are turned about ing "adieus" at St. Aventin-a regular tip-top you, and whom you have styled at the confesfarewell. sional your beloved children; while sensible men, Each had a separate good-by. Farewell to fathers of families, of upright Christian characthe holy protecting angels, to St. Aventin, patron ter, have come and told me'that you are foolof the parish-a worthy saint dreadfully neglect- ish and rash, that you have half-crazed their ed, and deserving of recognition from Father young people, addressing them in terms not exBasil, who named him then for the first time. pected from your profession and position.' Farewell to the mayor, to those venerable fa- " It is extremely painful to me to have to say thers of families, patriarchs of the mountains, all this to you; but such is the impression your who treasured up in their hearts the tradition visit has made on the thinking part of my flock. of the faith of their ancestors. Farewell to those You would doubtless wish me to be frank; at estimable matrons who had transmitted that all events I have done my duty now. You have faith, together with the earliest imbibed nour- found in your missionary experience at least one ishment, to a Christian race. Farewell to the honest vicar, and that is the conviction with pious children-girls holy as angels-the lily which I would desire to be associated in your crown of the militant Church. memory. Reverend father, I wish you goodFarewell to the venerated Madame de la Ca- morning!" prede, the blessed directress of those fair associ- The apostle of the cottages, the child of St. ations that were maintaining a seraphic earnest- Francis, found at the door of the presbytery a ness in the minds of the young. carriage which he had ordered from Luchon. Farewell to that predestined angel, Lisette Martha brought out his traveling-bag, and reCabarous, that lowly mountain flower, that child ceived his blessing for her pains. of inspiration to whom had been revealed the The enthusiastic portion of the people crowd A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 89 ed round. Cries of "Long live the good fa- them to St. Joseph. Rising by rapid flight to ther!" echoed on every side. a thrilling climax, he cried out, Although the worthy Basil was in no small "Thanks to thee, illustrious saint, for having degree mortified at perceiving neither the rever- deigned to honor my ministry in this parish by end mother nor her charming flock at hand to the revelation of thy glories. Immaculate Joreceive a parting word, he was so set up with seph! protect these young ones who are assemthis ovation, which had diminished in some de- bled here. And you, my children, should it gree fiom the sting of Julio's lecture, that he ever be said to you by any, that that apparition rode on to the point where the road diverges to- of the saint was a delusion, believe it not. Do ward the chapel. you not realize its truth in your hearts? See When, 0 sweet surprise! Lo, oriflammes you not by these your transports of affection, were fluttering in the wind! A large banner, that St. Joseph alone can have inspired you? inscribed with the legend, in golden characters, Then set those at defiance, whoever they may "Glory to St. Joseph the Immaculate!" is car- be, whatever their dignity-were they even ried aloft by Lisette Cabarous, while twenty priests themselves-who should dare to cast a young girls with lily wreaths in their hands fol- doubt on the illustrious favor accorded to Lilow the miraculous infant. Madame de la Ca- sette Cabarous! And you, my daughter, if any prede, in the full view of the delighted Capu- one should tell you that, for prudential reasons, chin, heads the procession, and, surrounded by you had better be silent on the question of these a select female assemblage of those who had revelations, answer boldly, that the light of God taken most kindly to the various exercises of must not be put under a bushel, and that were the mission, gives the signal, whereat the choir you even required to die for your declaration of chants a canticle composed by her in honor of the divine gift, you would not hesitate a single St. Joseph and Father Basil, and which may be moment. Follow the advice of that pious servfreely translated as follows: ant of the Lord who has hitherto directed you To Joseph immaculate, glory be! in those glorious paths wherein St. Joseph the And good Father Basil-long live he! immaculate has caused you to walk. Listen Tempted by a world so wooing, only to her; believe her word alone. There are Roved our hearts to their undoing, instances of God's withdrawing from those whom When, to save from dire disaster, Joseph sent a worthy pastor. He seemed to have chosen. When Saul was Father Basil, all celestial, rejected, he was forsaken by the Spirit, anointCame to our abode terrestrial; ed though he was, and God was no longer with So of such a marked attention him. And similarly do they fare who presume Make we loving, grateful mention... Make we lovi, to set limits to the Divine power, who greet the'ro Joseph immaculate, glory be! recital of the wonders of the spiritual life with And good Father Basil-long live he! smiles of contempt, and doubt the manifestaThis display had been secretly contrived and tions of the Virgin and her immaculate spouse. carried out by the reverend authoress without All anointed though they are, they are disownJulio's knowledge. It would be difficult to set ed and cast off." forth the father's transports on seeing himself the This philippic, in which the slaps at Julio object of so unexceptionable an ovation. Ar- were too obvious to be mistaken, even by the riving opposite the oriflammes, he hastened to least acute, was of tolerably long duration. alight, having heard with gratified complacency Meanwhile the hour drew on when the Capuchin the verses to St. Joseph and himself. True, was expected at Luchon, even the breakfast the monk had the best of it in the intentional hour; and Father Basil knew well that his inaward of honor; but it is not on record that tended host never waited for a dilatory guest. his colleague in the couplets felt the disparage- The appalling thought roused him from his ecment. stasy. He quitted the chapel after a last benMadame de la Caprede's muse appeared to ediction to the interesting flock, accompanied Father Basil to have spread her venerable wings by a fresh outpouring of sobs and tears. Lisette, in a flight more triumphant than any achieved especially, was in a condition unsettled, to say in the songs of Lamartine or Victor Hugo. As the least of it; so much so that Madame de la has already been remarked, brandy had softened Caprede had to carry her. Just as the father his heart. Julio, thankful to be rid of him at mounted the step of the carriage the hopeful any cost, had allowed him as much as he could pair approached, clamoring for a parting blesscarry, and the stirrup cup had been drained ing. But, alas! the horses already upset by more times than once. Hence the good father the singing and the flutterings of oriflammes, was so touched that salt drops of joy ran down catching sight of a great black creature with his glittering countenance. How could the her veil blowing about before their eyes, immemother and her daughters help weeping with diately and abruptly shied. The Capuchin lost him? and thus bathed in briny floods they en- his footing and fell back with all his weight in tered the church. Then the monk, at the foot the arms of his admirers, who, not being equal of the altar, gave his last farewell to his beloved to quite such a load, fell with him. The driver children. He thanked them for the delight they rapidly wheeled the animals in, and the three had just afforded him, lavished on them anew endeavored to rise-a proceeding which would his invaluable advice, and finally recommended have been simple enough but for an unforeseen 90 UNDER THE BAN. development of Lisette's hysterical tendencies. The sitting ended, to the great delight of the Clutching at the monk's gown, she held it wild- impatient majority, a most animated conversaly in her grasp, shrieking out, "Don't leave me! tion commenced among the various groups. don't leave me!" Some remained in the room with their host; The poor old lady, who was underneath the others walked in the garden, evidently interestmonk, struggled in vain to rid herself of the ed. The wonders of Lourdes had just been stifling incubus. The scene became so ludi- happening, and the Parisian press had taken up crous that the others, who had been terrified at the subject. An episcopal manifesto was exfirst, finding that, after all, no farther calamity pected to decide the question, while the fanatwas in prospect, save only the loss of the good ical portion of the community, equally indiffermother's cap, which had fallen from her head, ent to the sanction of prelates or newspapers, making terrible exposure of gray locks and bald- rushed in crowds to the wonderful grotto where ness, could no longer contain their merriment. Bernadotte had seen a grand lady. And now Shouts of laughter echoed on every side, the the question arose whether the quiet valleys of more violent from the efforts made to repress the Haute-Garonne were not abotft to furnish a them. The postillion, who was grinning from similar spectacle. ear to ear, came to the rescue, and helped the "It would greatly revive religion in our parCapuchin once more into the carriage. ishes," said the Jeannots. Madame de la Caprede cast round her a glance "It would be a death-blow to skepticism," of fury, ashamed of the absurd climax which, observed the Torquemadas. known as it would be through the entire parish, "It would be excessively diverting," said the and more especially to Julio, had crowned her facetious. impromptu display with everlasting ridicule. The street wits of Paris are found in every So ended the lady's ovation in honor of the part of France, and in every garb. Capuchin. So let it end! Other groups were enlarging on Julio. "A talented fellow that-capital preacher." -— * —-.~ "There must have been some reason for his being banished to St. Aventin." CHAPTER XI. "Oh, bishops are jealous of clever priests; AN ECCLESIASTICAL CNFE E. they only like humdrums about them." AN ECCLESIASTICAL CONFER!~NCE. "No mistake about that. As sure as any A WEEK after the departure of Father Basil head pops up, over it goes an extinguisher. there was an ecclesiastical conference at Luchon. They are so horribly afraid, in the various dioThe clergy of the district mustered in great force, ceses, of energetic and independent men leaguwhether from curiosity or zeal we are not pre- ing together to effect the emancipation of the pared to say. At all events, the Capuchin's inferior clergy." mission had made such a stir that all the priests "They are of one mind on this point throughround, buried as they were in their valleys, and out France. It's a downwright conspiracyagainst hungering after news of the outside world, came us." eagerly to Luchon to learn from Julio himself "Wait a while, my friends; that's not the what had occurred at St. Aventin. only one in store for us. They have not done These conferences have two parts-the discus- reining us in yet. Their project is notorious to sion and the dinner. In the first is read a trea- reduce us to the condition of a'servum pecus' tise, elaborately got up, on some theological ques- of the episcopate." tion announced at the previous meeting-a kind "Good heavens! what more can they do? of essay, which the orator of the day has extract- We are that already, aren't we?" ed by slow degrees from his scanty presbytery And once started on the bishops-a fruitful library; at the second, the reverend gentleman topic of discussion-Julio, Father Basil, and Liat whose house the first is held, avails himself sette Cabarous were all forgotten. of the opportunity to entertain his brethren. By others the vicar of St. Aventin was alluded On the occasion at present referred to, the to in any thing but flattering language. The clerical mind was so intensely preoccupied that vicar of Luchon, who was not by any means but a very limited attention was bestowed on fond of him, had let slip a word or two of his the deeply interesting paper from the vicar of incautious hospitality on a certain stormy night; Casaux on major and minor probabilities, all enlightened, doubtless, on the subject by Mother dispute of its profound propositions being scru- Judas, through the sacristan of the vicar of Caspulously avoided. The more impatient spirits tillon, Julio's nearest neighbor, in the valley of kept whispering even the Athenian inquiry, Arboust, who had retailed his news to the cook, "What news is there?" to which the others an- who had retailed hers to the principal houseswered, "You know very well-the miracle." keeper, who had come with a mysterious air to Many eyes were turned to Julio, who was ex- communicate the matter to the dean. pected to have a budget forthcoming on the great At length the important moment of dinner artopic; and in case of his being reserved, on the rived. Good customs have not died out among vicar of Luchon, who was believed to have had the clergy since the days of Boileau. The the fullest possible details from the lips of Basil Church might have been easily recognized at himself. the well-ordered banquet prepared with great A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 91 care by the chief caterer of the household. The wrought-up tale, played before the sacred andean motioned to his guests to take their places. dience the part of " devil's advocate." The journey to Luchon that morning and the "I do not deny," he said, "that God can fresh mountain air had sharpened the general make communications to men; not to mention appetite. The first course disappeared under a the cases of those who have been conspicuous heavy fire, in the midst of a silence broken only for peculiar sanctity, with whose history we are by the monotone of heavily worked jaws.. all familiar, and whom the Church honors. We The corporeal appeal, so imperative, so irre- know that he can make his voice heard in the sistible, atlength satisfied, the higher nature put conscience as in the depths of a sanctuary, in its claims, scarcely less potent over the South- where He may wish to write the healthful les. ern race, so notorious for their conversational sons of repentance. But in this way each of us powers. The moment arrived when one thought would be able to speak of revelations, whose was uppermost in every breast, and one question history, if recorded, would have too much sameat the tip of every tongue- ness and too little importance to be of any gen" What about the miracle of St. Aventin?" eral use. There remain, therefore, extraordiThe vicar of Luchon cast a significant glance nary manifestations, stamped with the mark of at Julio, who, being a junior, had been banished pre-eminence, and incapable of being confoundto the bottom of the long table, with our old ed with this permanent intercourse between friend from the Valley of Lys, whose unhappy God and the soul, even in the lowest conditions experience has already been recounted, and who of life. carried in his face the undefinable marks of se- "You know that theology establishes certain vere suffering. wise rules on this point. Miracles, to be acJulio, who had not been appealed to directly, cepted as such, must be proved to have been reheld his tongue. The archpriest told the story. quired - to be worthy of God - to have been The occurrence had lost nothing in the nar- verified by proofs and surrounded by illustrative rative of Father Basil. All that a brilliant fancy circumstances, such as no reasonable person can could do for it had been done; the tale swelled possibly dispute. to the proportions of a medixeval legend. " Now, if I examine the vision of Lisette CaFor example, Lisette Cabarous, the heroine, barous by these tests, frankly, I find nothing in was of a character and disposition utterly supe- it at all satisfying them, nothing to warrant my rior to this common e;ith —one destined be- excepting it from the long list of common forehand, by a mighty revelation, to be the her- dreams and reveries, the results of sitting up aid of a new dogma, a glorious visionary, like all night, protracted vigils, exhausting fits, and Theresa or Catharine of Sienna. Mother Ju- want of dinner." das, transfigured by the enthusiastic Capuchin, Julio then gave an analysis of the girl's early had been miraculously intrusted, to her signal history and constitutional temperament, the athonor, with the guardianship of this marvelous tacks she had had, the remedies which the docchild, destined to be the everlasting glory of the tor had prescribed, the effects produced upon mountain. No mention was made, in the-Ca- her invariably by an undue amount of devotionpuchin's narrative, of any ordinary feminine al exercises. He exposed the intimate relation commonplaces in Lisette's life. Her career was between the brain and the imagination, the terirradiated with a halo of mysterious splendor, rible reaction of the one upon the other, the her future mission among men was set forth as endless phenomena which, as soon as the equiunquestionably divine. balance of these two is disturbed, have had fearSuch is the power of the wonderful over the ful issue in insanity-that scourge of the human minds of men, that few among those present- race. even the most generally addicted to raillery- He mentioned the influence which Madame ventured to cherish a doubt as to the truth of de la Caprede had exercised upon her, the efwhat they had just heard. feet of Father Basil's sermons on St. Joseph, the It must be added, also, that in the theological continual reading of books on the worship due training of the priesthood, whether from the to him, and the presence in her oratory of a fear of admitting the cold shadow of skepticism large image of him. into minds reared in the dry, sere pastures of lie finished by quoting a series of other inecclesiastical establishments, or from real igno- stances, of visions perfectly independent of all rance of the numerous phenomena attendant on religious action, and did not hesitate to say that natural hysteria, not a word is breathed of any the undoubted fact of Lisette's being strictly possible interpretation, even of the most out- truthful did not, under the circumstances, at all rageously ridiculous vision, narrated by a nun remove her adventure from the category of illuor any other lady of an enthusiastic tempera- sions of every-day common occurrence. ment, other than that it came either from God Julio had that common characteristic of or the devil. straightforward people —he took no pains to So, great was the astonishment when, after avoid those frequent indiscretions in the handthe dean had enlarged freely and mysteriously ling of a subject which lead the way of themon the assumed revelation made to Lisette Ca- selves to violent contradiction. He had been barous, Julio, feeling compelled to state what talking Hebrew to his reverend brethren. With he had seen and heard, in the face of such a the exception of the vicar of Lys, whose gener 92 UNDER THE BAN. al knowledge was infinitely more in advance advocate or the commercial gentleman to the than that of the others, and who only once or peasant who reads as he runs extracts from the twice suffered a smile to steal upon his lips dur- lMoniteur, pasted on the entrance of the village ing the discussion, the entire body, like a pack "mairie," but thinks he would make a thorof jurors, frozen up either in the convictions aris- ough statesman. Priests are no more exempt ing from their ignorance or their sensitive re- from this delusion than common mortals, and, gard for the faith, had prejudged the question in consequence, they speculate on the most inthey came to hear. tricate European questions without troubling Though Julio had not once addressed the themselves to study them. archpriest, nor reflected by a single word either Naturally, on the present occasion, the clergy on him or the Capuchin, yet his statement was could not fail to be interested in following the a formal contradiction of the dean's-an indi- phases of the Italian Revolution, involving no rect attack on his credulity and that of the less an interest than the future of the papacy. monk. Naturally irritable and sensitive from Moreover, the general excitement on the quesa conceited idea of what was due to his posi- tion was unexampled. Confising temporal and tion, that official was mortally offended by Ju- spiritual power, the disputants naturally conlio's remarks. fused ideas. For three years, at least, statesThe eyes of the bony, hard-set little man men and diplomatists had seen in Pius IX. shot out a terrible glare. rather the sovereign of a small realm than the " Yu are very forward, sir, for a young priest. successor of Gregory VII., and, in their judgYour opinions in themselves are a matter of no ment, a power so fatally stationary in the midst moment; but here, in my house, at my table, of general progress was an anomaly-more than and after what I have said, they might have that, a danger to Europe. been less sarcastic." Of course, the title of head of the Catholic Julio saw at once the disastrous effect pro- Church had procured for its wearer a certain duced by his too undisguised remarks. He allowance of respect; at the same time, howtried to remedy the mischief, and made it worse, ever, reformed counsels'were sufficiently in the as they generally do whose intention is excel- ascendant to convince him that there would lent, and who have a special dread of creating come a day when, by the removal of the strong any unpleasant feelings. hand that had hitherto upheld it, and had at "I had not the least desire to annoy you, length become wearied of a useless support, the M. le Cure." temporal power would fall to the ground. I" Nothing more is necessary, sir," replied the But, while statesmen were regarding the Rodean, bringing his fist down upon the table with man question from a double point of view-the a bang, "to prove that you are not disposed to religious and political-and distinguishing actreat me with the respect due to my standing." curately between the temporal and spiritual And, whether from wounded self-love, or sway, the clergy-benighted children of the the unhappy excitement produced by copious Middle Ages-were doggedly convinced that draughts of wine, he had considerable difficulty there was no possible method of separating the in avoiding such language as would have left two. Papal infallibility once admitted, the only Julio no alternative but to make his bow and course left them was to follow the chief in his take his final departure. fatal path. On the 17th of June, 1859, the In fact, the young priest was on the point of Pope, in an address to the cardinals on the anrising for that purpose. But so gentle was he niversary of his election, had spoken of his bitand so forgiving, that he pitied the old man's ter grief at the course events were taking, and outburst, shrank from an unpleasant scene, and exclaimed, with more, vehemence than charheld his tongue, without suffering his counte- ity, nance in the least degree to indicate his annoy- "Woe to those who have brought about this ance. crisis! May the direst excommunication of the A little quieted by such unlooked-for forbear- Church, the bitterest curses of Heaven, descend ance, the dean recapitulated, in part, what he on their heads!" had already said. He insisted much on those The day after, a day fatal to the papacy, Pius miracles whose reality had been proved by in- issued an encyclical letter to all the bishops, devestigation, as proving the truth of the thing re- daring "that the temporal sovereignty which vealed, inasmuch as God, he argued, never em- the enemies of the Church were seeking to ployed a miracle to establish an error. wrest from him was essential to that sacred auAll present went with him. Once master of thority which he held, if he was to exercise, the situation, he softened down, became gra- without let or hinderance, his holy power for cious and agreeable again, and took part in the the advancement of true religion." general conversation. The ultramontanes triumphed over this manJokes ran high, and laughter not always most ifesto. "It is essential," they said, dwelling refined; then, after a brief interval, politics especially on that sentence. "Rome has setcame up. tled it.'Causa finita est.'" There are few such meetings without discus- In vain did honest Catholics come with hission of the questions of the day. In France tory in their hand to combat the position, and there is scarcely a single individual, from the prove the mischief that had resulted from the A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 93 temporal power. They were met with cries of attack the papacy, and perished in consequence. "Blasphemy! heresy!" We are stronger than they think. If the Pope Few voices, indeed, were heard among the only stands firm, he will thrust back revolution clergy. The prudent section was in the major- and emperor alike." ity. "What is the good of battling over ruins?" "As for me," said an Optimist, "I am full they asked. "The question of papal royalty is of confidence in the future. The emperor has doomed; why be in at the death? Why break sent General Lamoriciere to the Pope, and that's the heart of an old man? Let him alone. a good sign." Leave him in peace. More graceful far to bow Julio listened to the conversation in silence. before fallen majesty than to help to strike it "You are not speaking, M. l'Abbe Julio. down." What was the late cardinal's opinion on the Yet this neutrality was very unsound. Had Italian crisis? Surely he must have told you the bishops and priests who foresaw that the in private?" Pope would forfeit, by his obstinate refusal of "The cardinal was very reserved on the suball reforms, not only his triple crown, but also ject," answered Julio. "He thought, however, his temporal power, raised their voice from the that the author of the letter to Edgar Ney, with first in open, manly protest, such a declaration all that tenacity of purpose and constitutional of their sentiments would have been an efficient perseverance-in the event of his arriving at uncounterpoise to the flattery of the other party. limited power and the guidance of the affairs of But it can not be denied that moral courage is Europe-would most unquestionably realize at rare among the clergy. Passive obedience- Rome, sooner or later, the programme that lettheir system from first to last-is dead against ter set forth." it. The young priest, placed in a parish under "'Then it is all over with the temporal powthe thumb of his infallible bishop, feels his inde- er." pendence as a man gradually oozing out at his "It might last a little time longer, if it acfingers' ends. By degrees he is afraid to think cepted certain imposed conditions." for himself, much more to speak. Haply at "Which would be out of the question." some future day he may recover a modicum of "Then it would have to give way. It is the independence as vicar-canon or vicar-general, only instance left in Europe of those ecclesiasbut never to a thorough extent. Bigots alone tical monarchies which were founded under the speak out in the Church. Agents of the relig- feudal system. All the rest have fallen before ious societies, more especially of the Jesuits, secular influences, and this will be swept away they create and propagate those ideas which by the Italian revolution." tend to the re-establishment of mediaeval des- "Then do you mean to say you think that potism in the Church of the nineteenth century. revolution will succeed?" This faction had materially advanced the cause " So far as I can judge, most certainly. The of Napoleon III., under the impression that his cardinal, who had been in Italy a year before his sovereignty would be available for the compul- death, never doubted that that would be the issory execution of all their projects. Their offi- sue. He used to say that the priestly governcial organ, the Univers, offered him an army of ment was detested at Rome, and that the cardi40,000 priests and 40,000 monks. nals, and those about the papal court, openly acThe famous publications, however, Napoleon knowledged that if the French army quitted the III. and Italy, The Pope and the Con.qress, to- Castle of St.Angelo, the Pope would have to run gether with the Emperor's reply to the Arch- the next day. You will allow that when that is bishop of Bordeaux and his letter to the Pope, the impression on the spot, the only question had thrown them into the utmost consternation. left is one of time." The savior of the Church, they said, had become "Never mind, we must hold fast." her persecutor. No account was made of his "Yes," answered Julio, "hold fast, certainly, past and intended efforts to prevent a crash. in defianceofany outside power, were there holdThe pastorals of the ultramontane bishops teem- ing-ground; but the Roman population has an ed with the most irritatinglanguage. Atlength, intense horror of the papacy. Moreover, in a on March 29th, 1860, the Pope excommunicated region where every thing is artificial; where the invaders of the States of the Church, while prelacy, a special caste, is the sole governing inin the following May, Umbria and the Marches fluence; where the rest of the nation, like an were occupied by Piedmont. imprisoned herd, has no voice at all in the diThis was the subject of discussion at the dean's rection of affairs, there is no reliable ground on table. The emperor was roundly blamed for all which to oppose the fate that will carry off this that had happened. worn-out system." "I have always maintained," said one, "that "Then what would you have the Pope do?" the author of the letter to Edgar Ney would do "Do? Nothing! In this tremendous moveus an ill turn. You, gentlemen, have resolved ment his action would be idle. At one time he to see only the bright side of every thing. Your might have played an arduous but a glorious dreams will be rudely dispelled before long." part by heading and controlling the mighty "It's a dreadful business," said the dean. movement. But the time has passed for that. "There's nothing to fear," said the vicar of He either did not see such a course before him, B —. "The first empire was mad enough to or, seeing it, dared not attempt it." 94 UNDER THE BAN. "A sweet idea that of yours! The Pope a priest accused of certain irregularities of teachrevolutionist!" ing. This sort of thing has a bad effect here, "Sweet or the reverse, it would have been the government having its own reasons for not salvation to his civil power." offending the inferior clergy. "'May I ask whether you consider that power "I tell you this in strictest confidence. Aginecessary to support the spiritual?" tate in your own interests at Rome, and I doubt "The sentiment you phrase into a question not that you will soon succeed. is, I know, dangerous ground; still, I can't say "It will be among the pleasantest memories that I think much of it. When this power has of my life, dear archbishop, should I be able to passed away, and the Church, with the right contribute, however humbly, to the advancement arm of the spiritual, applied herself, as in the of a prelate so illustrious for his moral and inold days, when she knew nothing of a triple tellectual worth. Pray believe, etc., crown, to the discharge of her lofty function, "GENERAL P-, Senator." who will presume to take God to task for permitting the mutilation? Let us leave the issue The vicars-general, the superior of the semin his hands." inary, and the canons who formed the archie"Horrid creature, that Abbe Julio," said two piscopal council, having assembled, they propriests to one another in strictest confidence. ceeded to discuss the business of the day. Various questions having been settled, the vicar--- t —general-in-chief read Father Basil's report of the vision ofLisette Cabarous. Canon L —, CHAPTER XII. a credulous divine, the great friend of the La Salette affair at T —, almost leapt from his THE IhNQUIRY. seat in ecstasy on hearing the news. He was Ir was Thursday, two P.M., the archbishop's on the point of winding up with a Nunc diinittis, hour for holding his council. The various mem- after assuring the archbishop that he thanked hers of the board were assembling, almost at the God for having vouchsafed so signal a favor to same minute, with wonted punctuality. Arch- the diocese of T —, under the rule of his highbishop Le Cricq was in his business-room, where ness; when the superior of the seminary, a he held his conferences. He was reading a let- grave and thoughtful man, and little inclined ter of great personal interest to himself. Let to credit new dogmas and excesses, took up the us look over his shoulder. matter, throwing considerable doubt on the question of the apparition. To which Canon " Paris, June 15th, 1860. L — replied that those objections had already "DEAR ARCHBISHOP,-You must think, after been urged in the cases of Salette and Lourdes, my long silence, that I have neglected your in- and that, for all that, the unanimous judgment terests. This, however, is not the case, as I oft- of the clergy and the Catholic world favored en think of you; but at court it is necessary to those visions. choose suitable moments for asking a favor, and The vicar-general urged the, to him, importthese are comparatively rare. ant consideration that, assuming certain doubts "On the present occasion, I am happy to be as to the authenticity of the revelation, it was the bearer of good news. I have had a private still calculated to edify the people, to revive the interview with the Minister of Religion, whom worship of St. Joseph, and so to extend the I have succeeded in entirely enlisting on your cause of true religion. side, so that there is no farther opposition to be "We must work on the masses," he argued; apprehended in that quarter. " and since skepticism is pushing its way on "A certain august personage, with whom I all sides, erfas et ne/fis, to extinguish the faith, have had the honor of a brief conversation, ap- we may, without scruple, refer to revelations peared to be very warmly disposed to you. She more or less certain to prove to the people that was good enough to answer me that she would the Catholic religion is ever ready to support do all in her power to help you to the cardinal's itself in their presence by miraculous aid." hat. The upshot of his advice was that the arch" So every thing is tending in the direction bish6p should take the matter into his considerof that object which is, I can assure you, my ation, and, after having made farther inquiries dear archbishop, one of deep interest to myself. respecting it, declare his judgment. "I gathered from the Minister of Religion, Monseigneur spoke last. In his judgment, who has a list of the prelates, with particulars there was quite enough of this kind of thing respecting them, that in the secret reports on abroad already in France and Italy. He had your administration yoiu are commended highly no fancy for bringing public opinion to bear for your admirable deportment toward the pro- upon himself, or, in the well-known disposition vincial government representatives. You are of the public press, to brave the ridicule of the highly spoken of, and your rule is described as newspapers. So he declared formally, to the free from annoyances and interference. There consternation of poor Canon L —, that he is, however, one rather serious charge against should let the matter drop, leaving individual you in the prefect's report: you are represented Catholics to please themselves as to whether as having been rather hard upon a clever young they believed or disbelieved it. A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 95 "Only,"he added, addressing himself to the iety to know about the vision. Of course he vicar-general, "write to the vicar of the parish, was greatly mortified at hearing how coolly tlie informing him that as I wish the thing to be archbishop took it; but the notion of the inquiry suppressed, he is to take no notice of it in the consoled him, as his hatred for Julio was strongchurch, or by any processions or observances." er than his monkish'superstition. The vicar"I fancy that would be an unnecessary pro- general told him of the order, in confidence; in hibition, monseigneur. M. l'Abbd Julio, ifFa- similar confidence, the Capuchin revealed it to ther Basil is to be believed, would be only too his friends; they, in their turn, extended their glad to preach against it." information to other friends and other monks as "Then tell him he's not to do that either." a profound secret; and so, before a week, all the "But that's not all, monseigneur. A charge clergy of the diocese knew, in strictest secrecy, has been brought against him by a female of that an inquiry was out against Julio. very high repute. Here is Father Basil's re- The vicar-general's letter on the subject port on the matter." reached Luchon the same day. The dean was " More complaints," said the archbishop; only too ready to act against Julio, whom he " they come every day, especially from pious had detested from the day of the dinner at his ladies. They are always smelling out misde- house. He prepared to set out the next day, meanors, and they are not over difficult about and on the following morning, at about nine the proofs. They would think nothing of ac- o'clock, alighted at the presbytery of St. Aventin. cusing their vicar of having carried off the He was welcomed by Julio with the utmost church bell in his pocket." composure and courtesy.'This accusation, however, monseigneur, is "M. le Cure, I am greatly honored by your very serious; the facts are indisputable. Prob- visit. You have started from Luchon at a sufably he will not deny them himself." ficiently early hour to enable me to offer you And the Abbe Gaguel read the account, with some breakfast." which the reader is already acquainted. "I have breakfasted already, sir, thank you. " Such scandals, monseigneur," he observed, I come here on business, and in the archbishop's "must not be tolerated, however lenient your name." highness may be disposed to be. I propose an "May I ask you to enlighten me, then? I inquiry." am all attention." Which was the unanimous vote of the coun- Then, with all the gravity of a judge with a cil. prisoner at the bar, the dean produced a pen The archbishop was evidently annoyed. and writing-case, and arranged himself for tak"'These young priests," he said, "are con- ing down Julio's answers to the questions he stantly committing some imprudence or other. was about to put. The examination was very Possibly some one who had lost her way, or a long. The cunning old man combined Pyrechance pilgrim -who knows?-had stopped at neean loquacity with Gascon craft. He attacked the presbytery; or some poor creature called Julio on all sides; tried to involve him in conto ask help from a man generally reputed to be tradictions; employed at one time severity to rich, and the silly young fellow gave her shel- intimidate, at another gentleness to allure; and ter. He is capable of any extent of folly, but made many a promise of archiepiscopal clemennot of immorality. An inquiry is always at- cy. To whatever he urged, however, he could tended with inconveniences; if the charge is get but one answer. false, still the impression produced by the in- "A very young girl, a stranger, utterly unvestigation clings to the public mind, and is in known to me, was found by me, one night, in a measure injurious to the innocent person. my church, bathed in tears, when I went to close Even if it be true, we have no proof on the mat- the door, and was afterward received into the ter, and we shall be looked upon as persecuting presbytery. She was scarcely with me a mothis young priest. I am in a very delicate po- ment in the church, when she related to me her sition; I think we might let the thing remain troubles, which I can not divulge, and which as it is." would in no way affect your inquiry. Subse" Impossible, monseigneur," said the vicar- quently, in the presbytery, she had one to take general. "You know the rules of our admin- care of her, fully qualified for the task, who had istration. We can easily have an inquiry with- come to join her that night, and left me, as she out much stir. The vicarof Luchon is a pru- did, the next morning. That's the whole truth dent old man, who has discharged such a task of the story; more I can not tell you without more than once already with admirable discre- violating confidence." tion. If your highness thinks fit, I will send "But you must see that such a course as you him to St. Aventin on an assumed visit. He are taking would frustrate any inquiry. Why can then cross-examine the accused, and your will you not point out to us this exculpatory evihighness will be able to judge whether it is ex- dence? Her deposition, if it satisfied us, would pedient to proceed any farther in the matter." remove all doubts." The archbishop saw there was nothing for it "Because I can not." but to give in, so the inquiry was ordered. "That looks very much like a story framed The same evening, Father Basil made a spe- for the occasion." cial visit to the vicar-general, being full of anx- "As you please. I acknowledge that, judg 96 UNDER THE BAN. ing by appearances, I have been imprudent. I Cardinal of C —, four splendid horses harhad to choose between a stern duty and a hos- nessed to his carriage, and numerous liveried pitality compromising my reputation." lackeys. Le Cricq, like the majority of his "You were very wrong." brother bishops, was not of noble family, but of "I do not think so; and, whatever may be very humble origin. His mother had been a the consequences of my act, my conscience is mender of old chairs in her day-an occupaperfectly quiet in reference to it, and I am very tion, however, which had not hindered her from thankful that I did it." being an excellent woman, who had brought "He is a clever fellow this," thought the sly up her family with great care, and had aspired old man; "he knows how to defend himself. to the honor of enrolling her eldest son in the I have conducted many an inquiry, but hitherto priesthood. She was still alive, and, notwiththe poor wretches have always blushed and stut- standing her somewhat unpolished manners, tered; and when I said to them,'It is useless held her own right worthily in the palace of to attempt to deceive me,' they have fallen on monseigneur, her son. The archbishop had their knees, weeping; but this priest here is as adopted a more aspiring heraldic motto than calm as he can be." the "Etiamsi omnes: ego non." His shield exHowever, he resumed: hibited a ducal crown, with a rook, argent, on a "Come, sir, we must settle this matter. You field, sable; the device being "Ardua vincanl," may rest assured that a man of my age is not to which, being interpreted, signified, "I mean to be humbugged." And, so saying, he darted keen be a cardinal." looks at Julio, who contented himself by saying, The time was the middle of June. Numer"I have nothing farther to add, sir. You ous visitors were storming the various wateringare judge in your opinion; I am judge in the places from Biarritz to Luchon. Bathers and matter of the respect I owe to myself." excursionists of every class and both sexes, inAnd with this he rose, as much as to say, eluding gentlemen and ladies in search of ma" That will do; you may go." terials for book-making, abounded on all sides. "Well," said the dean to himself, "I suppose Mineralogists, entomologists, botanists, swarmed I must close my examination. There is no evi- in the mountain paths, climbed the peaks, and dence against him; he can take good care of startled the wild goats in the most out-of-thehimself." way crannies of the Pyrenees. The "Pic du "Will you sign my report?" Midi" itself beheld the crowded approach of its "With pleasure, Mr. Dean." annual caravanserai. Multitudinous tourists And, this done, the old man was escorted to made nothing of a four hours' climb-after a his carriage by Julio with every mark of con- night spent on a couch a trifle harder than any ventional respect. the most uncivilized inns could have afforded On his way he thought over the whole affair; them-up the acclivities of the Peak, stretching read and re-read his manuscript; recalled Ju- like a huge barrier between the southern sun of lio's manner, gentle, calm, and submissive, and Spain, and the cool, pleasant valleys on the othasked himself if it suited a guilty man. Yet he er side. was unwilling to believe him innocent. Luchon especially was gorged with the human " However," he muttered, "if the suspicion influx. Never had the stately promenades, unis false, he will know that I have only done my der trees centuries old, beheld such a concourse duty; if it is true, he will see that I am not to of fashion, such an assembly of guests mad after be trifled with." mountains, expeditions, merry parties to the Lac d'Oo, Venasque, Upper Bagneres, and the Spano --- ~ —-ish valley, wherein nestled peaceably the Liliputian republic of Andorre. CHAPTER XIII. The arrival of the archbishop in the valley ocTHE PASTORAL VISIT. casioned fresh excitement. The mountaineers were pleased at the honor. Down they came THE most illustrious and most reverend Le from the heights, leaving their flocks, and arrayCricq, Archbishop ofT —, but not yet cardinal ing themselves for the occasion in holiday garb. of the Roman Church, though coveting eagerly The churches were too small to hold the massthat exalted dignity-which would give him, in es welling out, like billows of the sea, from every thefirst place, an income of thirty thousand li- side. The archbishop was obliged to confirm in vres; secondly, would make him a senator, with the open air. His journey was all but a conthe modest addition of another thirty thousand; tinual ovation. Triumphal arches of foliage thirdly, would place on his head a great red hat, and flowers adorned the entrance of each viland on his shoulders the purple robe of a Roman lage. Choirs of young girls, in white dresses, senator, conferring the right of aiding in the thundering artillery salutes from the peasant election of popes, with the chance (more valua- lads, not to mention the addresses of the various ble than ever in the vicissitudes of a revolution- municipalities, invested this pastoral visit with ary period) of being elected Pope himself-made the character of a perpetual fete. a tour through his extensive diocese, visiting The most illustrious was in the third heaven. parish after parish. His vicar-general took good care to send, every He had not, like one of his predecessors, the three or four days, to the T — newspaper and A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 97 the Catholic Atlas a detailed account of the pro- " Ah! to the Abbe Julio?" ccedings. Attention would certainly be drawn "Exactly; another of the independent set." to the columns. The cardinal's hat was in the "We've never met him with his brethren. wind, and no mistake. He was neither at Luchon, nor at St. Mamet, The archiepiscopal addresses were not of the nor in any of the neighboring parishes." most astounding character. They formed the "I noticed his absence myself. Ile hasn't only ordinary element in the pageant. The asked me to dinner." worthy prelate had got hold of a stereotyped " Very well, monseigneur; then we can come phrase, and, in imitation of the famous sentence back and dine here." of Louis Philippe, "It is ever with fresh gratifi- "Quite so. What is the time fixed for being cation," he conducted that part of his proceed- there?" ings. "Your archbishop brings you his bless-'"Nine A.M." ing," etc., etc. Happily the speech was brief, "All right; order the horses early. We the only merit in monseigneur's eloquence. shall catch the fresh mountain breeze." The mountain curds, posted at the entrance The next morning, before half past eight, the of their villages, cross and holy-water sprinkler little bell of St. Aventin summoned the populain hand, paid their respect to their lord. Such tion of the valley of Arboust to the church. was their regulated task from generations back. The snow had entirely disappeared from the One might have hazarded the conjecture that parts sheltered by the mountain, and there were they had stolen from each other the sparkling no glaciers left except in the centre of the chain, utterance, "Blessed is he who cometh in the and there only at a great elevation. The weathname of the Lord." er was glorious. The torrent, falling from rock The last valley visited at the beginning of to rock, thundered back its mighty utterance July was that of Arboust. The night before the fiom the depths of the ravine, in mock reply to archbishop had been to Lys, the vicar of which the strange innovating sounds, like electric peals place had not put himself much out in the mat- reverberating in the distance. ter of due reception. A solitary rope, twined Some shreds of snow-wraith hung on the with a few ivy leaves, enwreathed with moss, scarped edges of the mountains like aerial dradid duty as a triumphal arch. The vicar had peries which a breath of wind might carry off. not prepared a meal for monseigneur, who was A little way off, dark green forests, stately and consequently obliged to return to Luchon to din- solemn, stretching up to the verge of those awner. Monseigneur Le Cricq had made no secret ful heights where vegetation ends, spread out a of his disgust; the unfortunate priest, indeed, landscape of depth and darkness where the gaze ran a good chance of paying dear for his want was lost, and clothed the vast canvas of nature's of tact. The archbishop, on visiting the church painting with that air of savage grandeur which in company with the officials belonging to it, human pencil has never adequately depicted in was unusually stern. "What is the meaning all its ineffable mysteries. High above the scene of those spiders' webs there, in that corner? this uprose the rugged peaks, bare in their most prelinen is very dirty; that altar furniture is in tat- cipitous ascents, and tinged with ashy white ters; the chalice is rusty." where the glaciers reached-those inexhaustible While the reprimand was being administered, reservoirs of clear laughing water, ever flinging the vicar, very red in the face, gulped down his itself from the distant summits in glittering caswrath without adventuring a remark. cades. The same evening, however, the archbishop, Such was the spectacle that was presented. on his return to Luchon, returned to the subject The prelate, irritated though he had been from of his recent dissatisfaction, and inveighed bit- the previous night, could not but calm down in terly against the state of things at Lys. the presence of so gentle and majestic a vision. "Oh, those independent gentlemen pay no As he recited his breviary on the way, his thoughts court to their bishops," said the vicar-general, wandered greatly. The commonest minds, acwith a sneer. customed as a rule to the excitements of active "Did you see that rope covered with moss?" life, are awed involuntarily by the mighty influ"Beautiful, wasn't it?" ences of Nature's grandeur. A power from on "Poor fellow. Probably his thoughts were high exercises over them a subtle and irresistirunning on quite another topic. They say he is ble influence to which they are compelled to violently in love with the daughter of the mayor bow, all conscious of defeat. of his village. Before long there will be a scan- The archbishop's countenance was almost dal there." amiable when he reached the rustic chapel of "I've a good mind to pack him off to the oth- St. Aventin. He was too anxious to please to er end of the diocese." omit rendering homage to the accredited saints "Heighho! Send him where you will, he of the places he visited. So he stopped his carwill get into scrapes. However, you may as riage, and, having ascertained how far it was to well try the experiment, monseigneur." the presbytery, ordered his coachman to go on And so the matter was settled. before, while, in the presence of a large group "Where do we go to-morrow? Let me look of the country people, he announced his intenat the plan of our journey." tion of making the pilgrimage to St. Aventin "To St. Aventin, monseigneur." on foot. Loud cries of "Vive monseigneur!" G 98 UNDER THE BAN. greeted the gracious communication from every before him by one of the choir, and to take his side. place at the prie-Dieu which had been prepared "Why isn't the vicar here?" he asked. "If for him. he knew what was proper, he would be well aware A large number of young people had been that a bishop ought to commence his entry into arranged for confirmation. They formed four St. Aventin by visiting the lowly shrine dedica- closely packed rows from the door to the iron ted to the saint of the parish, and celebrated so railing across the choir, and the quiet peacefuljustly in pilgrim annals." ness in their attitude and appearance proved "Probably he is awaiting your highness at what care had been bestowed upon them. A litthe entrance of the village," said the vicar-gen- tle farther back, within the sanctuary, were some eral. old people who had not yet received the rite. Meanwhile, the mountaineers, who had ar- The archbishop, arrayed in his pontifical vestrived from every direction at the first peals ments, celebrated mass. Then he mounted the from the church turret, crowded along the road pulpit, his mitre on his head and his crosier in and formed an escort. Thus attended, the arch- his hand, accompanied by the vicar-general, who bishop reached the village, where the mayor, stood on the steps. He was not happy in his surrounded by his officials, waited to greet him. address; his previous annoyance, together with His address, on this occasion, contrasted forci- that painful impression which even the most exbly and most favorably with his usual literary alted dignitaries can be conscious of, in speaktalent. In point of fact, it was Julio who had ing in the presence of one like Julio, reputed as endeavored to introduce into the municipal an orator, exercised a painful influence on his speech a garniture of grace and refinement. never over-fluent periods. He floundered about The orator had been conning his task a week in sorrowful helplessness, and, becoming conbefore, and, delighted with his success in get- scions of the fact, hastened to wind up in true ting it up, had' told Julio that he was thorough- orthodox style, by promising heaven to the good, ly at home with his lesson, and, were it neces- and threatening hell to the bad. sary, could repeat it by heart, to which he re- Had any one watched Julio narrowly, they ceived answer, "Not on any account, don't at- might have detected a very subtle smile playtempt such a thing; much better read it." ing for a moment on his lips. Slight as it was, The archbishop, in his turn, extracted from however, the archbishop observed it, and inferhis pocket, where he had in reserve eight or ten red that the vicar of St. Aventin regarded his specimens of the article, what seemed to him, address as decidedly below par. He quitted with a slight variation, best adapted for the oc- the pulpit mortified and humiliated. casion, and duly delivered it. When great people are out of sorts with Then, turning into the main street, past the themselves, they take vengeance on little peochief houses lining the terrace on the high road ple. So, when Monseigneur Le Cricq entered to the "Lac d'Oo," he calculated on finding at the presbytery, he hardly deigned to notice Juleast two or three triumphal arches, those ste- lio's respectful greetings, telling his vicar-genreotyped exhibitions of official enthusiasm in eral aloud that he meant to set out at once for such places. Above all, he expected to meet Luchon, and that the horses were to be ordered the vicar, surrounded by the faithful, with cross without delay. and banner, prepared to receive him in proces- "I will inspect the church and presbytery," sion; when suddenly he came upon the church he added, "and then go." -an old Roman edifice of great architectural "But, monseigneur, refreshments are ready interest-but no cure, no procession, no triumph- for your highness." al arches, no festoons of flowers across the streets. Indeed, Martha had carefully prepared a A tightly packed crowd awaited him at the en- choice and elegant breakfast in the diningtrance. The building was already crammed, room. and Julio, who had confined himself within the "As you did not invite me," he replied, " I strictest regulations of the ceremonial, waited in concluded that you did not meditate entertainthe interior, robed in his surplice, to offer the ing your archbishop, so I accepted an engageholy water and present the cross. ment at Luchon." The prelate was evidently annoyed as he as- "I am extremely sorry, monseigneur. A cended the entrance steps, though he made a de- bishop is asked as a matter of course to the tacided effort to conceal his vexation. He ad- ble of his clergy, however humble. May I offer vanced with a face red with emotion, his eyes your highness some soup?" straight before him, his head thrown back "Nothing at all. Let us go to the church." haughtily, and took the holy water from Julio's During his hurried inspection of the various hands with evident asperity. articles employed in divine service, such as the Then he appeared to wait for a compliment- baptismal font, sacristy furniture, the tabernaary address from the cure, but was rewarded for cle, and holy vessels, the archbishop seemed his patience with a simple, though reverent in- very much vexed that there was nothing to find clination of the head, and Julio, turning round fault with. Every thing was in the most perto the altar, paused quietly and modestly for the feet order. Pointing to the iron rail, he said, archbishop to go forward. Monseigneur was "I trust, Monsieur le Cure, that you will compelled to follow the cross which was carried not permit this choice work of art to be ex A PRESBYTERY IN THE MOUNTAIN. 99 changed for a wretched marble slab, as I find is presbytery, and, asking to be permitted to see so constantly the case." the archbishop, was introduced. The letter "The vestry are the guardians of the fabric, contained a grandiloquent request, inviting monseigneur. I will communicate to them the "the best of fathers" to visit the house of Maorders of your highness." dame de la Caprede, to listen to some hymns "Very good. Now for the presbytery." which had been prepared in his honor by the When they had entered the study, with its youthful female devotees of St. Aventin. It rich library and scientific collection, the arch- was not a petition to be discarded. The archbishop opened fire- bishop would be in his element there. "A word with you, Monsieur le Cure." "Tell Madame de la Caprede that I accept "I am at your service, monseigneur." her invitation, and will come at once." "First of all, let me tell you how surprised I And, taking up his gold-tasseled hat, he left was not to have been met by you in proces- the presbytery, escorted to the entrance by Jusion." lio, to whom he addressed, on parting, a dry "Monseigneur, I followed the orders laid "Good morning, Monsieur le Cure." down; I stood at the church door to offer you the holy water." A large room, the usual meeting-place of " I understand you-you were determined not Mother Judas's association, had been decorated to exceed, one atom, the limit of compulsory re- with the utmost care. The entrance doorway spect toward me." was formed into a triumphal arch, under which "Monseigneur, instead of a procession of stood madame herself, with her young people rustics marshaled to the following of cross and round her, each holding a chaplet of flowers. banner, I presented to you, in the interior of the On the arrival of the archbishop, she said, church, a goodly number of young people, whom "These are your children, monseigneur, who I had endeavored to keep away from all excite- alone have had the honor of greeting you with ment calculated to dissipate the solemnity of a triumphal arch." their thoughts. I thought that in that way I The archiepiscopal countenance beamed at was best fulfilling my duty as their pastor. I this spiteful allusion. A throne had been erectam very sorry that you misinterpreted my mo- ed on a dais at the end of the apartment, and tives." surmounted with a canopy, as though the malig" Well, let that pass; but why have you stu- nant old woman had wished to throw into greatdiously avoided erecting triumphal arches?" er prominence Julio's omissions. The arch"I assure you, monseigneur, I never gave bishop seated himself in state. The holy asthem a thought; nor did I suppose that your sembly were arranged round the room, while a highness would set any store by them." selection of girls chanted a hymn of greeting, "Then, again, why have you not paid me composed by Madame de la Caprede for the the ordinary respect of having a throne prepared great occasion, and of equal poetic skill with in the sanctuary? The ritual is strict, at all those previously elaborated in honor of Father events, upon that point." Basil. "A throne! monseigneur? Why, I selected Mother Judas, who had no lack of spies, bethe handsomest chair I had, and put it in front ing well aware that the archbishop had declined of the prie-Dieu for your highness's accommo- Julio's hospitality, hastened to prepare a cup of dation. Surely a throne is only a seat." chocolate, which Lisette Cabarous was directed "You need not tell me that. But a bishop's to offer. throne, when he visits a parish, should be erect- "Your highness will not refuse," she said, ed on a dais with two steps covered with car- with a honeyed smile, chuckling over the prospet, and surmounted by a canopy, that he may pect of retailing every where the precious intelbe seen by the faithful." ligence that the archbishop, after having turned "Monseigneur, I have devoted the fortnight his back on Julio's offers, had accepted hers. preceding your arrival to teaching all those The great man remembered that it was getadults of whom a great number rarely set foot ting late, and that he had a long ride in prosin a church. Tell me, then, monseigneur, pect before he could get to Luchon. So he took frankly, is not that ample compensation to a the beverage, with the addition of some slices bishop for the absence of a carpeted dais and of toast made exquisite with fresh mountain canopy?" butter. "Well, enough of that. But I have a serious "Monseigneur, the child before you is the matter to talk to you about yet. The report subject of the miracle of St. Aventin, the pride of an inquiry forwarded to me involves you in of the country round. Will you give her your grave suspicions. I am strongly disposed to let benediction?" the affair rest; but I would warn you to be on "With all my heart, daughter." your guard. Above all, give up writing. A " Speak, Lisette. Don't be afraid; his highpriest ought not to write; he ought to occupy ness is kindness itself. Tell him your vision." himself exclusively with the parish. You un- And the child, who was quite up in her part, derstand?" enlarged as follows: At that moment, a young girl, dressed in " Monseigneur, I saw St. Joseph, and he said white, with a letter in her hand, entered the to me,'My child, follow me.' I rose instantly, 100 UNDER THE BAN. and found myself in the centre of a brilliant all the vexations of the lowest class of social light. He added,'Thou art in heaven, my existence? Let only the day come when there child, and here is thy place, for having been shall be no appeal from these mitred proconsuls, the medium of the revelation which God has who purchase by their servility to Rome the deigned to make. Here, too, is the place of power of life and death over their clergy, and the worthy archbishop, for whom is reserved the there will be nothing for it but a gloomy foreglory of making known to the Church my im- shadowing of the downfall of Catholicism. maculate conception.'" "Oh, who will revive the Church? Who The prelate, who, in all probability, did not will infuse some sap into the old tree, worn out feel quite sure that the saint had paid him such from root to branch? Who will disseminate a compliment, contented himself with saying, as some germs of that true religious life, without he rose, which whatever apes it is but a worthless out" God bless you, daughter; may we meet in side? Who will rescue the true faith-so Godheaven!" And he gave his benediction to them like, so immortal-from this miserable ruin, all as they knelt before him. and re-establish it in the heart of a new system, His horses were waiting; his vicar-general where its imperishable kingdom may be again had come to look after him. Very soon he was restored? safe back at Luchon. "At times, I am broken-hearted at the prosThe same day, Julio, in a letter to his sister, pect of the future. I groan over the poor priest, related the events which have just been described. the helot of the higher clergy. I groan over " Look at these men, dearest. Look at their the bishop, with his petty spites; over the Pope, vulgar feelings, their narrow ideas, their utter with his dreams of the glitter of a temporal scepheartlessness. Is it wonderful that the clergy tre. I groan over myself, too, compelled to live should be so degraded, that they should spend in the midst of these anomalies, though resolved their days in moral paralysis, at the mercy of an to keep my soul unspotted from them all. episcopal whim, ready, at any moment, to take "But the day is at hand. The outwatchers their bread from their mouths, and abandon are even now detecting the streaks of dawn. them, all despairing, to a make-shift life, with With them I live and hope." AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 101 PART IV. AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. CHAPTER I. laurel. The Austrian had been driven back behind the fortresses of Venetia. Lombardy, A CRISIS AMONG THE CATHOLIC CLERGY. Tuscany, the Romagnas, and Piedmont formed THE archbishop's visit had left a most pain- a mighty empire under the sceptre of Victor Emful impression on Julio's mind, though he en- manuel; and the emperor, pausing only in the deavored, as far as possible, to conceal the fact presence of grave complications which threatfrom his sister. In the solitude of St. Aventin, ened Europe with a general war, left to time, however -in the midst of a people, not one of which has ways of its own of winning victories, whom could share his thoughts, imagination, to carry out the remainder of the project-" Itathat flame emitted from the brain, burned with ly free from the Alps to the Adriatic." terrible power. It was his time for earnest The day after the peace of Villafranca, the work, in which his intellect grasped; by close conqueror devised his new scheme for giving poapplication, the triumphs of modern thought in litical existence to the emancipated peninsula. social and philosophical science. In this labo- It was adapted to the hereditary ideas of Italian rious pursuit, embraced with delight, he found patriots. It proposed a confederation of the a grateful relief from the bitterness of which he Pope, the Emperor of Austria for Venetia, the had complained. King of Naples, the Grand-Duke of Tuscany, So passed many months. On one side were and the King of Piedmont. the wonders of nature, on the other the entranc- This scheme, however logical at first sight, ing study of the human mind and heart. Su- could not possibly be accepted, involving, as it premely gifted in the art of arranging ideas, his did, insurmountable practical difficulties. Italpowerful intellect obtained a thorough mastery ian diplomatists, bent on Italian unity, would in the vast fields of science and physiology. He have nothing to say to it; so resolute was the became at once the student and the thinker. opposition, that the man who was the last in More than a year had now passed since the the world to give up an idea he had conceived, occurrence of one of the greatest events record- inclined his mighty will to the mightier decree ed in history. Under the influence of skillful of public opinion. diplomacy, France had been induced to aid the The events of the year 1860 were, with Julio cause of freedom in Northern Italy. Napoleon as with all other thoughtful men, full of matter III., anxious to avoid the prescribed path which for eager study. The sinking down of the old had proved fatal to Charles X. and Louis Phil- papal royalty was no mean event. The States ippe, and threatened by the popular demand were rapidly falling away. An army of occufor progress, had flung himself bravely into the pation was necessary to its very existence. work. For this he required, and he knew it, Could there be a yet greater humiliation in the highest personal energy, indomitable in the store? presence of opposition which would start up on The Italian Revolution, with all those stupenall sides. The man who had risen on the ruins dous results, provoked, of necessity, among the of a republic, and held democracy chained at Catholic clergy, a feeling of bitter animosity his feet, was now to reverse his programme, and against the victorious party, and anxiety as to proclaim himself the armed dictator of a nation the certain prospect of the banner of France bent upon freedom; in fact, the emperor of a floating from the Castle of St. Angelo over the democracy, in the presence of bewildered fac- shriveled empire which the Pope had abandontions, material interests compromised, and Eu- ed. These misgivings found vent in episcorope in confusion. To this task he had the pal manifestoes, the whole rancor of which was courage to address himself. Setting aside en- directed against "the faithless sovereign of treaties from those nearest to his person, the re- France." monstrances of such of his courtiers as had got Hence the actual struggle lay between the all they wanted and were unwilling to lose it, clergy and the empire. Julio studied its phases even the most sinister prophecies, he relied on with the patience of an anatomist, and his lethis star, and set out for Italy. The horny fist ters to Verdelon supplied a running comment of the workman of the suburb of St. Antony on this intestine strife. grasped the imperial hand in token of delight "To comprehend the actual crisis," he wrote, at the new idea; and the cry that greeted him "you must observe that the system of Church in his progress was, "All we have is at your dis- government by a pope or bishops is based on posal; we are yours." Two months after that, the theory of pontifical royalty. Let that royMagenta and Solferino wreathed his arms with alty fall, and the Pope sinks from a sovereign 102 UNDER THE BAN. into an ordinary bishop —his empire, human "That's all very true, reverend father, but souls; his sword, the Gospel. Such a change where are his letters?" at Rome would regenerate Catholicism. To the pomp of prelacy would succeed the modest life of a spiritual pastorate, essentially averse to all that the world deems great. The downfall CHAPTER II. of the temporal power would inevitably bring with it a spiritualizing of the mundane element DEAT E DE LA CLA in the Church; a subversion of the old ideasof MEANWHILE another event was transpiring pope, cardinals, bishops, vicars-general, arch- at La Claviere-the death of Madame de la Clapriests, and the entire fraternity, with all their viere. The last two months cunning o,ld Tourfaith in the efficacy of secular arms, Inquisition nichon had visited her for a few days in every dungeons, and imperial enactments, as methods week, in order to prevent her from making of saving the world. any change in her testamentary arrangements. " Such a reform, however, is as smoke to the Many a strange scene had passed between the eyes of the higher clergy. Never did peccant two. Many a time the old lady, harassed by monk inveigh against his censor as they have those lingering convictions which curiosity can inveighed against that detested man who had not entirely stifle, was on the point of breaking been God's glorious instrument in this magnifi- from her bonds, summoning Julio and Louise cent reform." to her side, and showing them how priestly inSome of Julio's letters Verdelon ventured to fluence had taken advantage of her weakness. exhibit to a few of his more intimate acquaint- But the formidable shadow of Father Briffard ance, proud of his friend, and secure of sympa- revived such apprehensions within her; the conthy where he showed them. In the prefect's viction which he had so skillfully insinuated report to the Minister of the Interior, Julio was into her mind that Louise's proper destination flatteringly mentioned as one of the most ad- was a convent, where a large fortune would be vanced of the clergy of the diocese-a man who, worthless to her, made her so doubtful as to the so far from siding with the emperor's opponents, course she ought to take, while the presence of recognized, in the recent events in Italy, the de- Tournichon, to whom she was pledged, and who, velopment of a system more favorable than any by constantly reminding her of the disastrous other to the interests of true religion, and conse- course Julio was taking, had almost made her quently to be regarded as a boon to the Church angry with "that wretched priest," as the old instead of an assault upon her interests. man called him-all these various influences On the other hand, Julio's sympathies with combined to render her so timid that her better the onward movement rendered him more ob- impulses gave way. At length her last hour noxious than ever to the ill will of the Jesuits came, and her latest breath passed from her with and the Ultramontane faction. Protest after her latest risings of remorse. protest poured in to the archbishop against the Tournichon fixed her with his eyes. He nevpresumptuous young priest who dared to differ er left her for a moment in her agony of mind. from the Pope, whose letters were all over the He took the utmost care to prevent Julio from town, and who did not hesitate to array him- hearing of her danger, and intercepted Louise's self against the altar of God. Jesuit spies were letters entreating him to hasten home. Julio charged to lay hold of these insidious docu- only received the one that told him all was over, ments, of which constant mention was made in and testified at the same time his sister's surthe reports to the general at Rome, who, the prise that he had not come before. more effectually to exterminate him, resolved to So he arrived at La Claviere to find Tournispeak to Cardinal Antonelli on the subject. chon installed as master and his aunt a corpse. The cardinal commended the zeal of the very The Jesuit spy came and went as he pleased, reverend father, but, agreeably with the habitual gave orders and made arrangements according reserve of the Roman court, replied that it was to his royal will. Louise and two sisters of charimpossible to take any official steps in the mat- ity were watching in the chamber of death when ter with the archbishop except on written evi- Julio entered and knelt by the bed. dence. After a moment of earnest prayer and mourn"It is clear, your eminence, that if a party ful memory, he rose, and received his weeping is allowed to form itself among the inferior sister in his arms, not having seen her for a French clergy, independent of the episcopate, long time. He then led her to the drawingwhich is thoroughly devoted to the cause of the room, and attempted to soothe her grief. Seattemporal power, a party which groans under ing her in a chair, he was not a little astonished the episcopal yoke, and would fain be rid of it, to see Tournichon unceremoniously entering the their sentiments will most assuredly pervade room, and intruding himself on their privacy. France. There will be a schism among the He had always disliked the man, and felt toward clergy. Hot-headed men, like this wretched him a sort of instinctive repugnance; but, as the Julio, will become revolutionary agents, and ut- Jesuit claimed to be a friend of his aunt's, he terly destroy the peace of the Church. Action, had admitted the plea as entitling him to regard, and severe action, is absolutely essential, your and invariably treated him with all proper courteminence." esy. AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 103 Yet a look of intense displeasure crossed his waiving the answer direct, "was pleased to recountenance on the present occasion. The oth- pose the fullest confidence in me. I knewer understood it, and lowered his gaze demure- for she confided them to me-her most intily, assuming a serious and subdued expression, mate thoughts and distresses. You understand and giving the young abbe to understand that whence they arose, and I might tell you much his heart was not far from breaking. There are of what she suffered in seeing the frustration of some men who can get up affliction with such her dearest hopes. I do but discharge her last thorough neatness of rendering. Julio, how- wishes in informing you how acutely she was ever, maintained a significant silence. The in- hurt by the course adopted by one who owed her consolable was the first to speak. so much-" "My excellent friend, and you, my dear young "To the point, sir; fewer words, if you lady, you have lost an admirable relative, worthy please. My aunt's legatee is yourself, I preindeed to be regretted by you." sume?" "Just so, sir," said Julio, in his most icy tone; "Exactly so, M. l'Abbe; her executor and "and therefore, under the circumstances, we the sole heir of her property." should be glad to be alone; my sister needs my And Tournichon, in announcing his position efforts to console her." in the house, arrayed his exulting countenance "Most natural; but let me remind you where in such an exquisite garb of compunction and the best consolation is to be found-at the foot humility, that, had the circumstances been less of the Cross." serious, Julio would have laughed outright. Up went the eyes, and the bosom of that meek As it was, he simply replied, old man heaved with a sigh of most unutterable "If you have it in your power to prove this, anguish. sir, we shall know how to submit with becoming Julio remained standing, without offering the dignity." intruder a seat. A moment of silence ensued. "My respectable friend, M. l'Abbe, was in " Probably you have been surprised, M. l'Ab- full possession of her faculties up to the last mobe, not to see the papers and doors sealed up." ment of her life. Miss Louise knows this as " I did not notice the omission. Now that I well as I do. And as she was justice itself, she am here, and my sister and myself are the only has left you both an annuity which will be duly heirs, such a step would be needless. I am glad paid to you. A priest is a single man, and has it was never taken, as my dear Louise's feelings few wants. As for the young lady, hard though have been happily spared so far. If it is to you, this may be, her aunt thought that an heiress's sir, that we owe this consideration, I thank you." position was one of great peril, and resolved to " No, it does not concern me-that is to say, save her from it. I give you her own words:' I it does very much-for-" should blame myself were I to leave a large forAnd Tournichon, in decided perplexity, stop- tune to Louise; her beauty and wealth would be ped, and had recourse once more to a soothing a great snare to her. I know she will think me sigh. harsh in my conduct, but one day she will thank "I ant at a loss to understand you, sir," said me for it.'" Julio. A smile of inconceivable bitterness was on Ju" Providence has its designs, with which it lio's lips during this address. inspires the souls of the faithful, and well does "Scoundrel! " he said to Louise, in a whisper. it become us to submit to them. Your aunt, Then looking at the man, whom he loathed my dear sir, was a saint, and nothing short of it far more for his hypocrisy than for the part he -a thorough, downright saint." had played as Jesuit jackal, he said, "Quite so." "Enough, sir. As soon as my aunt is buried, "Whose motives it would be as well to re- we go." spect, even though we were unable to understand "Oh, M. l'Abbe, I have no wish to be hard them." upon you. Miss Louise is welcome to remain "It is you I am unable to understand, M. as long as she pleases." Tournichon. Pray cut it short, and tell me "You don't mean that. But, believe me, we what you're driving at." should find it utterly impossible to take advan"M. l'Abbe, the omission of the customary tage of your kindness. At present, there's the seals was by the order of your late aunt, my es- door." teemed friend." Through which Tournichon bolted somewhat More sighs-they were such a comfort!-with expeditiously, and Julio, flinging his arms round a slight admixture of eye-wiping. But no tears his sister, exclaimed, happening to be on hand, he resumed, as calmly "Poor dear child, you have only me to comas his emotions would permit, fort you now, but how I love you!" " That wish remains under her hand, with di- And he found.a painful pleasure in the thought rections to her sole legatee to carry out all the which would thrust itself into his mind, though provisions of her will." he repudiated it with indignation. "Louise Julio began to see his meaning now. He disinherited would yet be his." looked at him with a penetrating gaze. A few moments after their kind friend re"And that legatee, pray who may he be?" turned. He had a white wooden box, dark with "My esteemed friend," said Tournichon, age, and firmly secured with much string and 104 UNDER THE BAN. red wax. On it was inscribed, "Papers of the siderably slower rate than he would have thought family of Julio de la Claviere." desirable had it been the case of putting a pau"I am an honorable man, I assure you," he per out of sight. There was a costly offertory said, "and I am about to prove it to you. Here and a pompous funeral oration, in which the is a box of parchments and family deeds. I audience were spared neither Latin quotations give you them unopened, as your aunt found nor unbounded eulogies, the characteristics of them in your father's study at the time of his that species of discourse. death. I might have kept them, for there are The service over, Louise and Julio returned no instructions in the will to the effect that you to La Claviere, the pleasant cradle of their inwere to have them. But I prefer handing them fancy, deeply dejected at the thought of being over. Believe me, sir, believe me, young lady, compelled to abandon it to the spoiler. I am, I assure you on my word, an honorable The same evening Tournichon, who, during man." the ceremony, had stood by the catafalque exAnd the hypocrite drew himself up with suit- pending an endless stock of sighs and wry faces, able dignity on the strength of this most consid- communicated to Madelette the legacy which crate act. her mistress had left her. " Thank you; put it on the table," was all The old servant added to her other inestimathe answer he got. ble qualities that of affection for worldly goods. "Of course your aunt"s fortune will be de- All her life she had cherished the hope of being voted wholly to religious purposes. I would rich, and pictured to herself the idea that, with never have consented to enrich myself at your her wages, which she had invested year by year expense. No, sir; the entire property of La with scrupulous care, added to the handsome Claviere will be expended in good works. No sum which she expected at her mistress's death, heir of mine shall ever touch an atom of it." she would be able to establish herself at Valca"Do what you like with La Claviere, sir, brere in a fine tiled house, as the squiress of the though we have a pretty shrewd guess where the village. Madame de la ClaviBre had told her, money is going; that is no affair of ours. Only a hundred times, that she was down in her will; will you have the goodness to leave us to our- and Father Briffard, who required Madelette's selves?" influence over her mistress, had skillfully worked upon her avarice by giving her to understand Verdelon, summoned by a note from Louise, that the fair portion which would accrue to her came with all dispatch. He entered the room in due time would only be hers on condition at the very moment that Tournichon, delighted that neither of the orphans effected any change with his own honorable conduct, was making his in their aunt's will. bow. When, however, the exact amount of the Louise's single utterance, " We are disinher- modest allowance, carefully limited by the Jesited," came like a thunder-clap upon him. uits, had been made known to her, she all but "Disinherited!" he cried. fell on the ground with dismay. "Yes," said Julio; "but what matter? Our "You are not satisfied," said Tournichon, happiness did not depend on our fortune." with a bantering air. " You calculated, probVerdelon prevailed upon him to tell him all ably, on dividing La Claviere with me?" that had passed with Tournichon. "Not for a moment, sir," she said, in great " We shall.see whether you are disinherited," confusion. he said, when the tale was told; "the Jesuits "This allowance will secure you against all are at the bottom.ofthis, clearly. Tournichon is future want. What more do you require?" well known as their agent. He has been noth- Adding, with insolent hypocrisy, "Take care, ing more than a go-between in this matter, and daughter, to make a good use of this money, the law is very severe on that head. There is which is a fortune for you. I would advise your no doubt whatever that the Jesuits have'been retiring into a convent in the capacity of lay guilty of spoliation. Justice will favor the nat- sister. There you will end your days in holiural heirs. With proper proofs we are sure of ness and peace. You might lose your soul, you our case. We must attack the will." know, at any age." "My dear fellow,' said Julio, "let the mat- "Botheration take him," she muttered to ter rest at present. Let us think of the last du- herself. "The fellow can't do without preachties to be paid to my poor aunt; let us excuse ing." her infirmities, and remember her with grateful "Don't put yourself about, sir," she said love. Louise, this is only a debt of gratitude aloud. " I do not require your services as spirwhich we owe to our second mother." itual adviser. I only hope that, come thejudgWith all due solemnity the remains were car- ment day, your account may be as light as ried to the grave. Wax candles, great and nu- mine." merous, with rich mortuary hangings, were pro- "What do you mean by your insolence?" duced from the treasures of the sacristy. The "Nothing, the least in the world, sir. Only great silver cross and best holy-water basin were I know you have not done your part for nothput in requisition. Chornpters summoned to ing in this affair; and I have a shrewd suspitheir aid their most superior vocal powers, and cion that your wages will be better than mine." the vicar intoned the office of the dead at a con- "Holy Virgin! Madelette, it's the devil that AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 105 puts such language into your lips. My good on Madame de la Claviere's striking him out of girl, your conclusions are fearfully rash. Go her will altogether: he would have richly deand confess at once. Why, do you know that served it!" you are on the point of falling into mortal "More shame on you for daring to say such sin?" wicked, false things, M. Tournichon. You make "That's right-on you go. Preach away! me more mad than ever. I feel the color comIt doesn't alter the case, which is just this: I ing up into my face. The way the poor young shall have mighty little, and you and yours will gentleman is treated is just disgraceful-so honget it all. And yet without me...." orable, so pleasant, and good to every body; "I swear to you solemnly, Madelette, since and such a scholar as he is! He has more you appear to know more about the matter than learning than all your fathers put together. I thought, that I have but sought, in the whole Get along with you, do; don't talk to me; it of this transaction, to advance the glory of God; isn't for the like of me to argue with you. I'm and that, so far as I myself am concerned, I have only a poor peasant; but I have heard fine only deducted my simple expenses, incurred gentlemen, very learned, and advocates, who during so many hours in which I have had to know all about it, say that he is the best preachleave my business, and by so many journeys er in T -. They are all jealous of him, and here. These little matters settled, all the rest that's the reason why they don't like him." will go to the Jesuits." "Have it so, if you choose, Madelette. You "That's not what Father Briffard told me. keep your opinion, and I keep mine: nor am I He said that he had had to buy you in precious required to render an account to you for any high. There, go along with you. I see it all thing. Meanwhile, you have notice to leave. now: I have had to work for him and you. I You see I am entering on my memorandumpulled your chestnuts out of the fire, and you book that I have paid you your wages." only give me enough for food and clothing." "I see, sir. Trust me, I shall never want "And what more does a good Christian re- any thing more from you." quire in this valley of tears?" "Then good-by; have your things taken " I may live thirty years yet; and I should away." not have been sorry to finish my days at Valca- "Never fear, sir. Only you'll have to wait brere." till my nephew comes from Valcabrere, with his "A temptation to pride, that, Madelette." cart, to fetch me." " Oh yes! And I suppose you have never " By all means: I give you to the end of the had any temptation of the kind, sir —you're week." so very humble! Bless your heart! All the "No! But that is good of you!" same, your goodness didn't keep you from pocketing the gold coins of the property, and leaving the poor sous to me. Now listen, since you drive me to say it: I am in a downright rage CHAPTER III. with you, and that's fact. I see I've been your MADELETTErS REVELATIONS. dupe: you have taken advantage of my simpleness. I have been my poor mistress's jailer. As Julio and Louise had determined to quit How often have I stopped her complaints? how La Claviere the day after the funeral, they wishoften have I lied to my own conscience to tell ed to bid adieu forever to that fair abode of her that she was doing right? And something their youth, where they had grown up under the told me all the time that I was playing false. tender guardianship of their second mother. Those dear children! Oh! when I think of They thought they should like to visit all the the poor things that I've loved so much, and different park-walks one after the other, and now I see I have helped you to rob them, as say good-by to the ivied rocks and gnarled old the wolves plunder the flock in the dark corners trees on which they had carved their initials. of a wood, I'm as wretched as I can be, and Louise almost broke down at the little lake, that's all about it!" with its gold-fish, the banks of which had been "They are not so much to be pitied, after the scene of her first love-passage. Returning all." to the house, they visited the up-stairs corridor, "Perhaps not; if you've treated them as where they had played in. winter days; they handsomely as you've treated me, they must be saw their little rooms still full of those thourolling in riches." sand nothings which, standing on chimney" Mademoiselle Louise has an annuity bf a pieces or attached to walls, give a room or a thousand francs." house all its character, but all which would "My! What a splendid marriage portion! have to go to the spoilers. Louise wished, inAbout enough to marry a cobbler with!" deed, to take down and carry off a few minia"Her brother has an annuity also to the tures; but this Julio forbade. same amount; and he is a worthless fellow, "It's none of it ours," he said. and a disgrace to the Church. The good fa- Then they went and knelt at the foot of the thers were too soft-hearted to leave him a beg- bed on which their aunt had died. gar, as they should have done. Had they list- "Poor thing! God forgive her!" ened to me, Father Briffard would have insisted And, crossing the great drawing-room, which 106 UNDER THE BAN. looked sombre enough through the vestibule, first hearing the news. Verdelon was of a dewith its black and white marble floor, lending cisive character. He had great self-control, to the principal staircase, they sallied forth. and could crush out any feeling of his heart "Why, Julio," said Louise, suddenly stop- rather than condemn himself to the pains of ping, "we were going without saying good-by poverty. to Madelette." There was an alternative left, however-to " So we were! Where is she to be found?" attack the will. Here was a prospect, in the And, returning by the staircase, Louise led first place, of honor and glory for himself, whichher brother to Madelette's room. They found ever way the issue was; and, next, a chance of her busily engaged in packing, her assortment a handsome fortune, through the marriage he of movables being numerous and eccentric, and desired. He counted all the chances; and, comprising all those various treasures that serv- as soon as he had heard what Madelette had ants in large houses manage to amass after said, he counted on an easy victory. many years' service. In spite of Julio's natural indifference to "Ah! my dear children," said Madelette, on money, he found himself involved by his friend seeing them come in, "you are very good to in a war with the Jesuits. Verdelon provided pay me a visit." the needful writs, only too glad to be engaged "Not at all, Madelette; it is your due-you in a cause, the European reputation of which have been most kind to us for many years." might be safely relied on. "We have only one regret," added Louise, He took leave of Louise, grasping her hand, "that we are not able to offer to keep you. and giving her a look of mingled sorrow and We.'are poor now." affection. Julio, who had noticed the warmth These simple words produced deep remorse of the feeling, wanted to set out for St. Aventin in the old woman's breast. And being still un- the same day; so eager was he to get safe hold der the influence of her hatred for Tournichon, of the treasure which death had consigned to whom she regarded as the cause of her disap- him-a treasure more precious far than all that pointment, she made a clean breast of it to Ju- Father Briffard had taken from him. lio and Louise, and revealed to them all the bypaths by which the Jesuits had arrived at the — coveted property. The upshot of her information was, that she CHAPTER IV. had been kept in the dark for a long time; but, i. >,- *i,1JLiTHE LOVERS' CORRESPONDENCE. that, on learning from Tournichon the immense influence which she possessed over her mistress, THREE days after their arrival at St. Aventin the Jesuits deemed it absolutely essential to en- they received letters from Verdelon. Julio's gage her services, promising her, at the same was full of eager hopes; the young advocate had time, a handsome reward. been to La Claviere, and, instead of going to the She described a scene which had taken place chateau, where Madelette still was, on the worst without Louise's knowledge just before Madame possible terms with Tournichon, who all but de la Claviire's death. The old lady, reproach- prevented any one from seeing her, he had ed by her conscience, had resolved to alter her stopped at the village presbytery. The vicar, will, or, at all events, to add a codicil which, who knew of the attachment between him and while it was to leave to Julio, against whom she Louise, was a worthy old man, and full of symhad begun to be prejudiced, only a small annu- pathy for them. He had had the spiritual ity, would secure to Louise a handsome mar- charge of Louise since she and her aunt had riage portion. Madelette had even been order- left T-, and had proved to be a real priest, a ed to summon a notary; but, fearing to lose the disinterested man, and a devoted and profitable proffered Jesuit bribe, had communicated the guide. matter to Tournichon. That worthy man came He had sent for Madelette on the pretext of at once to La Claviire, and so wrought on the wishing to have some talk with her before she mind of the poor old lady that, when the nota- left about her kind mistress, who had left so ry arrived, she simply said, many grateful memories in the parish. The "Forgive me, sir, for having brought you old woman, proud and pleased, came to the here. I did wish..... But I seeI must let house and found Verdelon there, whom she things remain as they are." loved next to the orphans. He had contrived And so the matter ended. to get into her good books by a simple method, Madelette disclosed all this very much as an very successful with servants -judicious presexpiation of her dishonorable conduct in the ents from time to time. matter. She overwhelmed Louise with caress- He led the conversation skillfully to the simes, and promised to visit her at St. Aventin. pie facts which he required absolutely to know, Verdelon was impatiently expecting them at securing the presence of a witness in the worthy T-. He, as well as his friends, was a victim vicar. Madelette little thought meanwhile that of the robbery. He loved Louise most ardent- her evidence was being acquired for judicial ly; but, then, a penniless bride was not to his purposes, and taken down verbatim. liking. Could he marry such a one? had been He complimented her in having put Tourhis painful thought from the moment of his nichon in his place, and so effectually drew her AT LAW WITH YHE JESUITS. 107 out, that the old housekeeper, once in the vein, now that I have got rid of this unpleasant subdetailed minutely what had been going on for ject, I will give you some of the details you ask the last four years, the precautions which they for. had adopted at first to keep her in ignorance "Our journey has been an utterly new exof her mistress's struggles and misgivings, the perience, and, had it not been for my deep depromises Father Briffard had made her if she jection, I should have been wild with delight would only help the matter forward - money at the sight of the mountains, which I had only enough in this world to retire to Valcabrire, witnessed hitherto from the bridge of the Gaand heaven in the next; a favorite offer of spir- ronne, where they looked like a rugged belt of itual fathers to their flock, as costing them noth- silver, standing out from the azure of the sky. ing. The advocate then asked Madelette to That distant view, however, was nothing to the keep their conversation a secret, and received a reality, which infinitely exceeded my highest ready promise to that effect. conception. Verdelon then went on to say that he had "You, with your lofty genius, will be enrapseen the notary, a man of position, and much tured with these glories when you come to see esteemed at T-; that he had assured him us. I am picturing to myself your amazement, that his opinion on leaving the house had been, and I feel already that my impression on climbthat the old lady was so besieged by Tournichon ing these colossal peaks will be yours in all their that she dared not make a will after her own freshness. I shall be ready to worship, with mind. He had even heard her say how un- you, that gracious God who has spread around fortunate and how wretched she was at a time us these marvels of His hands. when she was in thorough possession of her "St.Aventin is deliciously situated, being faculties. sheltered from the north and embosomed in the Such were the details of Verdelon's letter. mountains; but it is poor and horribly dirty, He undertook the responsibility of the entire like all Pyreneean villages. My brother is quite management. There was a regular prescribed at home already, with his iron-tipped shoes and course to take, nothing more; Julio need not heavy mountaineer's staff. My head turns as I trouble himself at all in the matter. gaze, even from a distance, at the terrific preciLouise's epistle was shorter. It contained pices, and my terrors have often amused him the customary assurances of attachment, and during our walks. Frequently have I passed intimated how happy the writer would be to through terrible gorges, after the manner of prove, by his energy in the lawsuit, his devo- children, with shut eyes, carried shuddering in tion to his beloved. He asked her to give him his arms. a full account of her journey, with a minute de- "A more wretched presbytery you could not scription of St. Aventin, its mountains, and its imagine. How you would laugh at my room! presbytery, to which Louise replied as follows: Picture to yourself its bare walls of fir planks, and a little window just giving enough light to "Your letter, dearest, found me very sad. tell one that the place is not a prison cell in a You ask why so. I had been looking out for religious house. Happily, the view is sublime, the post with feverish impatience. You call and my little window takes in a prospect the me your Louise, and surely that is enough. grandest that ever painter was permitted to see. Yet my poor heart is assailed by a host of fears Julio exults in his position, and has with his and presentiments. I can not hide any thing own hands decorated my room in the renaissance from you. Are these appehensions mere idle style, lest I should too strongly contrast its ugly fancies, or are they the result of a clearer ap- deformities with La Claviire. prehension of my own position and your true "Of the remainder of the presbytery I will feeling? I can not help thinking that your not speak. Mind, I do not murmur against letter points in the latter direction. these things; humble as they are, God would "Rebuke me if I am wrong. I should be justly punish me if I did; and I may well only too thankful to have misrepresented you praise His goodness. to myself. But, dear Augustus, I know you "Since we came here Julio has been full of well; I can estimate your position and mine; happiness. He exhibits me as a sort of curiand if this wretched lawsuit is lost, and the best osity to his mayor, his neighbors, and all the fail sometimes, what prospect of happiness would good ladies of his parish.' Mother So-and-so,' remain for me? he says,'isn't Louise lovely?' and the worthies "I dare not write more on this point, which gape at me with stupefaction.'Ah! but you will be, however, henceforth uppermost in my should hear her play and sing in church,'he mind. I feel as though certain trouble would exclaims;' she has the voice of an angel!' be easier to bear than these incessant fears; "I tell him he's quite a child, and he laughs this constant questioning forever visiting and a merry child's laugh, with all its simple guilerevisiting a loving woman's heart.'Will my lessness. What a beautiful disposition he has! happiness last?' I fear I shall never make him due return for all "But understand me. All this is but an his love. Alas! you know the reason. Why unbosoming of myself for relief, and need not have you enslaved me thus? Why did you at all displease you. If the worst happened, I tell me by the quiet margin of the little pond should blame fate and not your heart. And what has made my heart my own no longer? 108 UNDER THE BAN. "Adieu. Write to me, if you can, every little while at St. Aventin, and cherishing the other day, out of compassion for your exiled prospect of a good time coming. "LouISE." Now, exemplary as this young priest was, he was a man, for all that, endowed with human + -— *~ —— weakness. So, forgetting all the brave resolutions he had made when he first ascertained their CHAPTER V. mutual love, he became conscious of a jealous JULIO UFFEING. feeling —one of the most painful impressions the JULIO'S SUFFERINGS. heart can sustain. "I ought to love her enough," THE privation of the solitary home which he had once said, "to sacrifice my own happiLouise had termed her exile-her indignation ness for hers," and in this courageous spirit he at the robbery of which she was the victim- had battled on. her feverish anxiety as she hung on the chances Meanwhile her arrival at St. Aventin, and the of success, all this had excited within her the charm of life with her, were beginning to tell so utmost workings of her woman's nature. More- powerfully upon him that his first heroism slowly over, that instinctive prescience so common in yielded to the attack, and his martyr's notion of her sex had sketched out for her a sorrowful self-sacrifice lost its power. Therewith came future, probably soon to be realized, her only the wild project of giving up the lawsuit, and so impression of which was that her heart would securing his sister by changing his poverty from sink beneath its load of bitterness. Yet she did a probability to a certainty. not seriously contemplate so sad a lot; and, While he was thus distracted, a chance event even while her prudence went to war with her contributed no little to his distress. Louise had affections, she abandoned herself to the most torn up some sheets of paper, and flung them entrancing hopes of coming bliss. How impa- out of her window one morning, when a violent tiently she looked out for the post. How con- hurricane blast from the heights of Esquiery was stantly she waited with the glass of wine, which rushing through the valley. She was amusing the obliging letter-carrier received as an en- herself in her dreariness by watching the bits couragement to be punctual, and which, in that fluttering about like white butterflies, from termountainous country, was far from unaccepta- race to terrace of the slopes of St. Aventin, and ble. The days that she heard from Verdelon disappearing in the depths of the valley of Arwere painful days. However tender his expres- boust. That same evening, as Julio was resions might be, she always discovered in them turning from a distant parochial visit, he saw some cautious reserve, so fatal to a love ready one of these scraps caught in an angle of the rock. with unqualified surrender. She would shut Now few people knew how to write in his parish; herself up hour after hour in her little room, whose penmanship, then, was this? what heart doubtless employed in writing. Often did her secret was possibly betrayed there? For the sighs reach her brother's ear as he walked in moment he never thought of Louise. Simple the garden repeating his breviary. He rever- curiosity-strongest in men whose position has enced that lowly retreat as a sanctuary. Strict- taken them out of the agitation of public lifely observing that generous law of liberty which impelled him to pick up the fugitive fragment. is the true loyalty of the human family, he nev- He recognized his sister's writing in a moment, er dreamt of exercising the slightest control and assumed that he held in his hand a piece of over his sister's movements; and she, for her her letters to Verdelon. A fierce delight swelled part, made violent efforts to conceal her grief, in his heart. Possibly he was on the point of being ever ready with the sunniest of smiles obtaining some clew to her secret feelings. But, and the tenderest of words. And when at the then, what right had he to take so ungenerous close of the day she threaded the mountain paths an advantage of the wind's wild play? He -occupied alternately with botany or mineral- urged, admitted, and realized the grave remonogy-she would lean forward and listen atten- strance; but for once jealousy overpowered tively to all he had to say, and so create and him; and as though an enemy's hand had enhance the joy of his life. seized the fatal paper and pushed it under his Joy, alas! too short-lived. Then came the eye, he read the last sentence in Louise's first long hours spent in solitude, when Louise aban- letter to Verdelon, "Have compassion on an doned herself to distressful anticipations of ca- exile." lamity. Julio had too much penetration not to "So Louise is an exile," he exclaimed, in the see through all this, and felt it keenly. His bitterness of his pent-up feeling, "in the house dream of happiness, cherished for so many years, of a brother who idolizes her. 0 my God, is it had passed away as an infant's vision-a vain thus Thou hast reserved for me that cruel decepdelusion of his misguided and misinstructed tion as the crowning trial of my life? The blow youth. Then, too, his convictions were sustain- is heavy. If the mere apprehension that I was ed by facts. Her determined isolation-her deluded embittered all my enjoyment of the prestears scarcely dried from her cheeks when she ent blessing, what will be the result of this tercame to the table-her enthusiastic delight when rible testimony? the letters arrived, evinced, with tolerable clear- "And is it Thy law that the loving heart ness, the state of her affections. He began to must pass in weariness, and up the hill of Callook upon her as his passing guest, staying a vary, to its rest? AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 109 "Then I bow all meekly to Thy will, 0 God; "Capital!" for Thy will is wisdom." "And now, reverend father, I have brought my bill. As usual, 1 have set down the debtor and creditor account on each side, and ruled a CHAPTER VI. line between them. Concluding that you would not trouble yourself with details, I totaled the AN AFTERNOONS CONVERSATION AT THE PRO- columns, and you see the results. I think I may V~INCIAL~ S. venture to say that I have done my best with the THE Jesuit college at T- was duly erected property of the Church as regards the managein the southern part of the town. Vast and im- ment of this charitable bequest." posing in dimensions, it towered like a citadel "Excellent man that you are, how thankful over the aristocratic suburbs. Its white mass we are, and how sorry that there are not more arrested as much attention as the splendid choir like you!" of St. Stephen's. The Jesuits had had it all "I have had some trouble, I candidly tell their own way. The special gifts on which they you. In the first place, I have been off and on had counted had swelled to large amounts, and with the thing for ten years-for ten years have none of the properties which they had looked I had to play cards with an old woman who was out for had failed to be theirs. They had had often a very bad player." the satisfaction of witnessing M. Cayron, Ma- "Not cheerful that, I own; but, then, how dame de Vateil, and M. Legros die in the odor meritorious!" of sanctity, and duly taken care of by the Church " Such incessant assiduity and perseverance in their last moments; and, thanks to the pru- were required to prevent her escaping me. Just dent measures taken, with the exception of those before her death, even, she was very near it." few who contrive to possess themselves of the "You don't mean to say so?" most secret news, and whom the most skillfully "I had to have recourse to high words, and disguised proceedings never escape, no one knew so frightened her. I reminded her of her enat T — that four or five families, plundered in gagements, and of the punishment with which the persons of their aged and imbecile parents, God visits those who draw back from the good had paid for the magnificent structure which had way, and so I saved every thing." just been erected. "My dear fellow, your conduct is beyond all M. Tournichon had displayed the utmost en- praise. Oh! what a bright reward you will have ergy and skill in carefully arranging the details for this glorious zeal in the cause of truth!" of the La Claviere property bequest; and as he " So glorious that, thanks to the assistance of had learned by experience that religious houses old age and doctors, all has come right at last. are not over-generous, he put his will into his That rascal of a doctor-he has sent in a terripocket, and, to use a common expression, set off ble bill!" on a visit to the Provincial, for the purpose of "We must dispute the amount, then." squaring accounts. "Don't be afraid; I've done that. MoreThe little old man, with his thin lips, keen over, I showed him that, if he were too exactdarting eye, and puffed-out nose-pinched in, ing, he would find his list of patients diminished. however, at the extremity-well shaved, and So his fat bill of three thousand francs-" well got up, bent his steps toward the Jesuit "Three thousand francs-bless my soul!" abode, where, on his arrival, he was received by "Has been reduced two thirds, and even its the porter, a lay brother, a little bullet-bodied present amount apologized for." fellow, whose thick black hair was clipped on his "Admirable! You are a clever fellow." forehead in a straight line parallel with his eye- Then the old man, having opened the docubrows. ment of the La Claviere account, pointed timidHe, bareheaded, and knowing well that Tour- ly to the modest figure of 50,276 francs as to a nichon was held in honor at that abode, an- trifle not worth naming, calculating at five per nounced the visitor with a tone of most pious cent. his journeys, fees, and expenses of all sorts; and unctuous obsequiousness. barring which sum, the whole property, real and "'M. Tournichon, very reverend father." personal, fixture and movable, was handed over "Welcome, dear M. Tournichon. Well, have to the Father Provincial, to do as he pleased you succeeded thoroughly? Ah! that's well; with. Thoroughly as the Provincial had known we are most thankful to hear it." of old the mainspring of old Tournichon's zeal, "Yes, reverend father; the sainted lady is he could not refrain from exclaiming, indeed gone. Every thing was done for her "Fifty thousand two hundred and seventythat could be done in the way of a funeral. I six francs!-why, that is outrageous, M. Tourhave even ordered a tombstone." nichon." "Oh, quite right —very proper —of course. "It's merely five per cent., very reverend faA tombstone, did you say? I hope not a very ther." expensive one." "But do remember how very poor we are." "I'm sorry to say, father, that you can't get "Merely five per cent., very reverend father." an article of that kind cheap. However, I made "Then you will surely contribute to our funds as good a bargain as I could; five hundred francs and works, M. Tournichon?" will clear it." "You are down in my will, very reverend fa 110 UNDER THE BAN. ther. I owe too much to the Church and the France," said the Provincial. "You see we religious fraternities not to give them a por- never appear in any movement. Our general's tion of my modest competence-after my death. orders are punctually executed. Not one of Meanwhile, I have a daughter, reverend father our fathers takes any part in the struggle of -a daughter-you understand." episcopacy with the powers that be. The Cath" Come, come, that'll all be right enough. olic Atlas, which is, in point of fact, our organ, We'll look at the account another day, when is avowedly quite independent of us. We even you will be more accommodating." repudiate it ourselves when we see occasion to "Reverend father, at my age, I must set my do so. We never set foot in its office. Our house in order. I need a tranquil spirit. Be- colleges maintain a most scrupulous reserve; lieve me, I have done for you what I wouldn't and all our efforts to enroll volunteers in the have done in any other cause." papal army, which was routed so unhappily at And again pointing out the total to the Pro- Castelfidardo, were scrupulously transacted with vincial, he showed him the words, " Settled by heads of families, and that in so quiet a manner us." as to awake in no degree the suspicion of the "Be good enough, please, to audit the ac- government." count, and put your signature." "Our enemies are too clever, father," said " But you are very dear; won't you take any the old Jesuit, "to be easily deceived. If we thing off?" have never taken to newspaper writing in " Impossible, reverend father. Five per cent. France, we have the Civilta Cattolica at Rome, for playing cards with an old woman for ten and our great work is the centre of the Catholic years-why, it's positively nothing." movement against the modern sentiment. It is The reverend father took a pen, hesitated a from that quarter that the deadliest animosity moment, looked at the amount, and signed it. may be looked for - animosity equally clearThen putting the voluminous document in his sighted and implacable. Let Louis Napoleon portfolio, he muttered to himself, fall to-morrow, and a new revolution will raise "The fellow has fleeced us." the cry,'Down with the Jesuits! " "May God have you in His keeping, rever- "We've not come to that pass yet," said anend father." other. "Then, too, we have so much influence And Tournichon, thankful to have his little over the faithful that no one will venture to atbill settled, made a low bow and withdrew. tack us for fear of outraging their Catholic conThere was a large gathering of fathers in the sciences. All the clergy would rise to defend Provincial's apartment. It was the afternoon us." recreation time; and Tournichon having been "I don't agree with you," said the father seen leaving the room, that curiosity, which is who had introduced the discussion. "Nor do alive even in the mind of Jesuit humanity, as- I fancy that the clergy are particularly fond of serted its presence. Some of them had ascer- us. There are, it is true, bishops, vicars-genertained that vague rumors had been abroad in al, and young professors in seminaries who adthe town on the subject of the La Claviere prop- mire our self-denial. Our motto,' erinde ac erty, and were consequently anxious. Others, cadaver,' has filled them with admiration for us. of a more confiding temperament, exulted in But all the rest are our enemies who are outthe growing advancement of their house. wardly civil to us, but who would rejoice over "How God is prospering us, father!" our fall. Almost all the Paris clergy hate us." "Let us ask Him to continue His favors," "Oh, the clergy of Paris! Every one knows was the answer. that. And it's taken good note of at Rome, "Yes, indeed," said another father. "Here's too." a fresh triumph in the case of Madame de la "Yes; but if the government lasts, these will Claviere. That capital old Tournichon has be the men that will be made bishops. And been very clever: there's not his equal for per- when they hold the sees of France, you will see severance. Ah! if we hadbut men of his stamp whether they will trouble their heads much every where." about Rome or Roman opinions." "Have you had any news from Italy, father?" "Plenty of time before that happens." "Yes, and very bad. We are driven from "Very likely; but in eight or ten years all all our houses in Umbria and the Marches: the old prelates will have died off; and if, duronly Rome is left to us in the whole peninsula." ing that brief period, the antipathy to us in"I think it would be well," said one of the creases, I shall see, to my sorrow, that I have oldest of the fathers, "if we paused a little before been a true prophet. Do you know what will building. The projected improvements will be prove most injurious to us? Why, the develvery costly, and prospects are gloomy. You opment of the other orders in France. That's may rest assured that if there happened to be a what annoys the clergy so. They feel thempolitical crisis in Europe, like that of 1848, we selves being gradually ousted from preaching, should be victimized first. There is a very and in danger of soon being turned out of their wise proverb,'Keep a pear against you're pulpits. The Dominicans, Franciscans, and thirsty.' Should the storm break, it would be Lazarists will be our formidable rivals for this very desirable to have the needful about us." honor among them, and the secular clergy will "They can't bring any thing against us in never forgive us our success. You may make AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 111 up your minds that there is a strong reaction say, they don't seem to like. So we had better among them against all the religious orders, and be on our guard. We are verging on great isespecially those given to preaching. sues. Solitary individuals may please them-. "Then, again, such of them as are taking up selves; but corporations, with their mutual the teaching line are jealous of our colleges, claims, should be always wary." whose prosperity they watch with apprehension. "There is a good deal of truth in what you They complain that we leave them the scum say." only-the lowest orders of society-to turn into Such is a summary of the conversation held priests.'When the young man of high birth at the Provincial's that afternoon. They were was educated in our seminaries,' say they,'with on the point of separating, when Father Quenthe pauper's child, a useful link was established tin came hurriedly in from the town, with a between classes; but you (religious orders, Jes- look of extreme consternation on his pale counuits especially) have run off with the aristocra- tenance. cy.' And, in this complaint, don't you think "Oh, father, such news!" they are, on the whole, right? Of course, the' What's the matter now?" affair is no concern of ours. We find the sys- "I've just heard that the Abbe Julio, in his tem answer. So much the worse for them if own and his sister's name, means to attack his they get only snobs for their clergy. Only you aunt's will on the ground of its only being a ficcan easily understand that that sort of thing is titious bequest to M. Tournichon in our favor. hard to swallow; and when the moment of dan- I got the information, unfortunately, from too ger comes, so far from raising a finger to help reliable a quarter, having been told by a magisus, they will joyfully leave us to our fate.'We trate who is very partial to us. To-morrow, or can do without Jesuits well enough,'they'll say: the next day at the latest, the writs will be' we can't do without clergymen.'" served, and the cause called on. I have even "I think you put it rather too strongly, don't heard the name of their advocate-M. August you? I have traveled, equally with yourself, Verdelon, an ex-abbe, a terrible enemy of ours, through France, and have met members of the who will run us hard. Good heavens, what a clergy on retreat occasions. I can assure you misfortune!" that they have the greatest respect for our or- "Don't excite yourself, father," said the Proder." vincial. "If God sends us the cross, let us "I am quite ready to admit this of many bear it lovingly." among them, but even that respect is not with- "It is added," continued the other, not heedout fear. They are delighted to receive us on ing the Provincial's pious suggestion, "that the the occasions to which you refer, because we whole affair will create a great sensation. Whatdon't annoy them. We haven't what they call ever the issue be, we shall suffer severely." large sleeves; and when some poor wretch, who "Then we must submit meekly. Our order has managed to get into hot water, takes his re- has risen to eminence through trial of every treat, he is only too thankful to find, instead of kind. Father, suppose you retired to the chapa harsh judge, a Jesuit father ready to absolve el, and asked for a little courage and quietness." him, and say,' Go in peace.' That's our great "I knew that the will would be attacked," he merit in their eyes. They have severe rulers said afterward. of their own, to whom they dare not unbosom themselves. Moreover, they know too much - about them. Whereas we, birds of passage, confess and release them, carry off their sin in CHAPTER VII. our pockets, and go on our way. Apart, howA DELICATE NEGOTIATION. ever, from this little service, for which they are duly grateful, they have no very tender regard IT was of importance to the lawful heirs of for us. There is, between us and them, a terri- Madame de la Claviere that Madelette's revelable point of dispute, namely, money. And the tions to Verdelon, made in the presence of the needy priest-paid badly by the state and his cure of La Claviere, should not be disclosed beparish-is hard to manage on this point. They fore the matter was brought to a legal issue. never lose sight of the fact that, in the towns es- The advocate was in no danger of committing pecially, we get the best of the offerings. They any indiscretion, nor was there much fear from call us confessors of fine linen; and the vicars the curd, an old and wise man, who was fond are specially sensitive about the confidence of of Julio, and, besides that, entertained toward their tip-top parishioners. Ah! father, I see you the reverend fathers that special clerical anihaven't listened at doors as I have.'Oh, these mosity which was all the more indelible from Jesuits!' they say;'when a fine lady wants a the fact that it never found vent in words. mass, the fee is always a goodly piece of gold, Moreover, he was a zealous priest of unimpeachwrapped up in scented paper.' If it is a vicar able character, though it must be acknowledged of a parish, he gets, at the very most, the modest that, if he was conspicuous for the excellencies sum of five francs. These are among the causes of his day, he had its defects in the shape of of their ill will; but I have yet to name the petty jealousies, deep resentment, and a spirit chief. Public opinion, in the higher circles, of rivalry in confessional, pulpit, and general puts us over their heads; and this, strange to ministrations. 112 UNDER THE BAN. There was in his parish a small sanctuary in discovering his rivals in fault. And Verdededicated to the Virgin, and greatly reverenced ion knew human nature well enough to feel tolin all the couhtry round. The statue of the erably sure that he would be the last man to Madonna was a hideous object in wood, clum- warn his enemies of the coming storm. Yet, sily and grotesquely carved. It had been dis- not many hours after the confidential interview covered in the twelfth century among some between himself, Madelette, and the cure, all thorn-bushes, whence it had been carried away that had passed had been imparted to one of to be installed in the parish church. The night the fathers of the rival chapel, who repaired imafter its removal, however, it had, somehow or mediately to T — to communicate his knowlother, returned to its bush; and this achieve- edge to the Provincial. A secret council was ment was accomplished two or three times over. immediately assembled, and, after two hours' So, as there could be no possible doubt that the conference, the telegraph was put in motion to wooden lady had a peculiar fancy for her old summon a certain Father Candal from Paris. abode, a chapel was built on the spot for her Father Candal did not belong to the province better accommodation. Such was the legend-a ofT —. lie had, however, one year preached legend very like some 300 or 400 others of the in the town during Lent, with such success that same class. The cure of La Claviere had no even the reverend fathers, despite the spirit of great faith in it, and made merry often on the their order, were a little jealous. He had been fetichism of certain devout females of his flock. invited by a species of compulsion. The highOn the 8th of September, however, the day of born ladies of Languedoc, who passed the winthe chapel fete, all the illustrious ladies of the ter in Paris, were never tired of extolling his neighborhood, including T —, came over on marvelous talents. Their praises found their pilgrimage, on which occasion the building was way among the magistrates and leading mermagnificently decorated; a most carefully pre- chants, and soon the father's presence was impared sermon was delivered, and a collection plored by the faithful of every class. The Jesmade for the poor of the parish, to whom the uits complied at once. The coveted preacher good cure gave the greater part of the visitors' arrived. His triumph exceeded the highest anofferings, returning to his presbytery on the ticipations that had been formed, and the faevening of this high festival very well satisfied thers secretly resolved never to have him there with his day's work. The sermon had been again. From that time he began to be in ill most successful; ditto the attendance; ditto, odor with his order, having been for a long peespecially, the offertory. Grant that there was riod their spoiled child. There are few orators a large dash of superstition in the whole affair, among them. Two or three names are promithere was also simple faith, in part, thoroughly nent as exceptional cases, and that is all. Hence poetical. the necessity among them of economizing their The cure of La Claviere had the reputation resources. Father Candal, who was not defiof being an admirable spiritual guide. Ladies cient in acuteness, felt his value, and, to some of the highest rank in the neighborhood flocked extent, took advantage of it. He preferred reto his confessional during their temporary resi- maining in the society, knowing well that a Jesdence at their country seats. His brethren, too, uit orator is more likely to rise than a secular were in the habit of inviting him to preach on priest of equal talent, who may be many years their patron saints' days, all which promoted before he gets a name. He was partial to easy general good, and the credit of the worthy pas- victories, but be had no very earnest faith in the tor. Meanwhile, the Jesuits resolved to pur- famous motto, "Perinde ac cadaver." His succhase a country house about a league from La cess as a speaker, together with his undoubted Claviere, where they built an exquisite Gothic influence over the female mind, had slightly chapel, dedicated to Mary, on the altar of which turned his brain. In plain words, he was a coxthey placed a beautiful white marble statue of comb; and he was known to say that, had he the Virgin. Their great fete was also on the been raffled for, like Father Lef-, he could 8th of September; and, in less than two years, have raised enough money to build a finer the new pilgrim shrine had eclipsed the old. church than St. Peter's at Rome. All this was The aristocracy crowded to the Madonna of the telling against him. His superiors were very Jesuits, leaving to the cure only the good won- willing that he should be a fine ladies' preachen of his parish. Similarly, the noble and er, but they found that he had abused his influwealthy penitents tailed off to the reverend ence. fathers. The clergy round caught the infec- Things were in this state when the telegraphtion, and, anxious to secure for themselves fa- ic dispatch from T — was received at Paris. vorable archiepiscopal notice, invited the Jesu- It was evident that there was something importits to preach in their churches, so that the poor ant in hand. The old Jesuits shook their heads: old cure saw himself stripped at once of his fame "Such a summons would make the puppy more and those profitable revenues which he had so insufferably conceited than ever," they said. benevolently devoted to his church and poor. However, as they could not well refuse the apNow it is quite true that the tricks of his ene- plication, they sent for Candal, and ordered him mies, as denounced to him by Madelette, roused off to Languedoc direct. He reflected for a mohis honest indignation; yet it must be admitted ment, knowing well that it had been decided that he felt, at the same time, a sly gratification that he should never return to T —, where he AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 113 felt that he had borne his honors with a rather vantages to be derived by the society from culuplifted head. If this decision had been re- tivating a widow lady, rich, titled, enthusiastic, versed, it was because he was wanted. Oh Jes- and self-opinionated to the highest degree, to uit, Jesuit and a half! IIe bowed deferentially, neglect to set in motion all the directions of the and offered but one objection to his sudden de- nonita sacra touching the method of getting parture; he had been engaged to preach at a re- hold of widows and their property. These ditreat of the Sacre-Coeur for the ladies of St. Ger- rections have over and over again been repudimain; he would be required for that purpose in ated by the Jesuits; but, even granting that two days. they never actually penned them, there is no "Very well," said a witty old father, sarcas- denying that they have been compiled after the tically, "write to the superior and tell her you've model of their proceedings, and no one undergot a bad throat." stood the spirit of them, or was better able to Be it known that Father Candal's throat was carry them out than this same Father Bonithe pretext frequently alleged for indulgence in face. prolonged leave of absence. He understood Without quitting the world, the countess lived the sneer, but passed it over in silence, and took a life of the most outrageous austerity. Her his leave, saying simply, irreproachable conduct made her as proud as a "I will start at once." Pharisee. She would not confess that this vir"You see," said a good father, not very quick- tuous character which her acquaintance extollsighted in his opinions, and full of zeal for the ed so loudly was owing, on the whole, to the company, "he understands the spirit of our or- coldness of her disposition and the haughtiness der-he hears and obeys." of her temperament. Thanks to the hundred "Don't trust him," said another; "he won't voices which the fathers raised in her honor, be long among us; his conceit will be his her triumph was undoubted. By them erected ruin." on a pedestal, the whole of T — bowed reverThe Jesuit arrived at T-, and received a ently before her. In a word, the Jesuits knew cordial reception from his brethren. What a so well how to turn her merits and demerits to happiness it was to greet again so illustrious a account, that they succeeded in reducing her member of their order, who had done so much completely to their influence. good during that celebrated Lent! To all which She had reached the period of woman's seche replied, with a vigorous attempt to assume a ond youth. A quietly increasing stoutness had modest air, asking himself, meanwhile, what removed the angularity of her features, a change these civil speeches meant, and what might be which generally ensues about the age of forty. the tremendous need of his services which had At that time, the sternest feminine spirits, seeinduced them to summon him. The Provin- ing that their first youth has fled forever, and cial led him aside with a few members of the knowing that its new edition will have but a council, and talked to him for four hours on fugitive existence, experience, if they have nevaffairs of the most urgent importance. As Fa- er known the joy of domestic affections, a certher Candal left the apartment, he said, tain indescribable pang. If they have ever "Make yourself happy, reverend father. I loved, they mourn over the buried yearnings, will answer for my success, and will tell you and wonder whether there will ever be a resurevery thing that passes." rection of them. If their heart has remained And a proud smile of conscious triumph untouched, they feel that their life has been played on his lips. lost, and suffer accordingly. The countess was " He is more conceited and presumptuous now experiencing the return of this early cothan ever," said the Provincial; "but that style quetry, and determined, under its influence, to of man succeeds best with women." spend her winters in Paris. Jesuits know huNow there lived at T- a lady of great re- man nature, especially woman's nature, and, pute in society, and especially in so-called re- seeing the danger to their sway in this particuligious society. The Countess of - was lar instance, resolved to grapple with it. They forty-eight years old; her heart cold, and her forewarned her of the peril of returning to worlddisposition bigoted, while her belief in the ex- ly influences; put her in communication with cellence of her own principles and views knew Father Candal; and induced her to go to one no limits. Whatever passion she had resided of his sermons, from which she returned boiling in her head, and evaporated in burning words. over with enthusiastic delight. He was agreeHer relatives had induced her to marry for able and handsome; his manners were polishmoney at the mature age of fifteen, offering to ed; above all, he knew how to flatter ladies. her an old man for a husband, with the recom- The reverend fathers have always taken good mendation of a title and sixty thousand livres. care to have such men among them for influThis marriage was repugnant to all her tastes encing widows at that particular crisis. Father and wishes. Left a widow at twenty, she made Candal consolidated the work of his confederno attempt to seek in a second union the hap- ates at T —, and reported on the subject compiness she had never hoped to find in her first. plete success. Furthermore, she was completely under the in- We may add that the countess had a fine esfluence of Father Boniface-a sly old Jesuit, if tate near La Claviere, and knew Louise and ever there was one-who knew too well the ad- Julio intimately, as well as Verdelon, and MadeH 114 UNDER THE BAN. lette even, who had been recommended to her death I heard of, to my great grief, on my arrivnotice by Father Briffard. al. I met her occasionally at your house, and She had not seen her reverend friend for was exceedingly struck by the fixedness and denearly two years, but they had correspondedvotion of her character." rotion of her character." diligently, the Jesuit's letters being amusingly;-"Yes, she was a real saint, and equally dedivided between professional exhortations and voted with myself to your society." evening parties. Y6ou have heard of her will?" Behold her in her grand drawing-room, taste- " Most certainly I have." fully arranging the flowers of a pattern which "And you know the particulars of it?" she was embroidering for the Jesuit chapel. "I know that it appoints our excellent friend, The door opens, and in walks Father Candal, M. Tournichon; whom you have frequently seen duly announced by a livery servant. A cry of here, sole legatee, in the interest, that is to say, delighted surprise greets the visitor, who is wel- of your order, which can not have too much for comed with the utmost cordiality. He takes all the work it is called to do." things with equal grace and ease, and the con- "And what does the Abbe Julio-the philosversation turns upon the motives which have opher-priest, the darling of the Revolutionary brought him to T —. party, say to all this?" "I am going to Eaux Bonnes," he said; "If M. Julio were to speak his thoughts, he' Dr. Cruveilhier has recommended me to take would say that his aunt knew him too well to the waters. I suffer incessantly from my throat, leave him her fortune, inasmuch as he would to such an extent that I may perhaps be corn- never have employed it in accordance with her pelled to give up preaching altogether." views." "Oh, I trust not," rejoined the countess; Very possibly. And what about his sister: " that would be a calamity! You are so young I knew her four years ago as a most pious girl, yet, and may do so much good." intending to enter the convent of the Sacre"God has His own purposes, madam, and we Cceur." must submit. I was ordered to go direct to - "An intention which she seems to have abanthe Pyrenees, without stopping at T —. In doned under her brother's influence. You can't our society we must not dispute, but obey. imagine the mischief this priest has done in the However, when a visit to you was at stake, I Church. He ought to have been interdicted couldn't but make an exception. So I obtain-'ages ago." ed permission, not without considerable trouble, "They say he has numerous admirers at to stop here two days." T-." "And you have done this for me, my father?" "Perfectly true. He knew how to make the she said, with a smile. most of his intimate connection with the late "Could I possibly pass so near you, madam, archbishop for the purpose. of forming a party without calling to see you?" round him. The present occupant of the see The lady's look of delighted gratitude baffled temporizes with these people, because they bedescription. long to the government; and his predecessdr, "I am thankful, indeed," he continued, "to you see, was'a cardinal." find you in such excellent health; and, but for "And he entertains the idea that the hat my ecclesiastical character; I should venture a would look as well on him as on his predecesfew compliments on the brilliancy'of your com- sor?" plexion. Upon my word, you look about thir- "Just that." ty." "That's the way with all the secular clergy," The countess bridled and simpered, and tried said the Jesuit, shrugging his shoulders. "They to assume a modest air. are eaten up by ambition. Ambition, madam, "And yet," she said, " I ought to be ageing may be a virtue if it is purely unselfish. Religbefore my time. My youth has been so pain- ious orders, our own especially, realize this idea. fully tried." All our members are inspired with the noble "You must thank God, madam, for those idea of seeing the society increase in numbers, trials; by them He draws you to Himself." wealth, and dignity, so as to become more and "Yes, indeed, father; and thank him, too, more qualified for its great work in the world. who has shown me the way in which I ought to As individuals, we wish to ignore all these adwalk." vantages; in becoming Jesuits, we renounce "I asked God to instruct me to that end. I even the dignities of the Church. But'we was naturally interested in your experience. would have our company powerful because it is Your position was so calculated to move me." necessary. However, to return to these young And the father sighed (a sigh is always effect- people. So this young Louise has not imive if it is well finished off), and the lady sigh- -proved, you say?" ed in unison. The Jesuit, thinking that by this "Not she; she is dreadfully fallen off. She time he had done enough in the sentimental has left Father Briffard altogether." line, resumed in a more indifferent tone, "More's the pity. I have a very poor opin"I am confident that your peaceful spirit ion of the motives which have led her to that will enable yon to live much longer than your course. Who is her confessor now?" excellent friend Madame de la Claviere, whose The cure of her parish." AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 115 "Ah! M. B —; a priest, I fancy, somewhat this fortune may yet be fiched from Tourniafter the Abbd Julio's style. There is a pil- chon, and so from us." grim shrine in his parish-our Lady of the "Is it possible? I understood that the will Thorns." was perfectly valid." " Just so; and he hates the Jesuits, because "It is; yet, in spite of that, it will be disthey have built an oratory near his own." puted. Our fathers heard of this at the mo" I know that. He is not wanting in talent; ment of my arrival." he bears an excellent character; but he is not a "Disputed-by whom?" thorough man; he has no inner life, and hence "By Madame de la Claviere's heirs. The he is utterly disqualified for the guidance of fact is, our society here have made a mistake in souls. Indeed, that's the great defect of the the whole affair. Tournichon and Father Brifsecular clergy." fard thought to retain Madelette, the old serv" But very far from the only one, reverend ant of the family, who was her mistress's misfather. My own opinion inclines to that of the tress, but they omitted to take her avarice into worthy Capuchin, Father Basil, who says that their calculations. They made her too small their only use is to make sacristans for the Jes- an allowance, and she, in the bitterness of her uits." resentment, has discovered a sudden and violent Father Candal smiled. affection for the nephew and niece. She has "These excellent Capuchins," he said, "have told them so much that it would appear that she always been our most devoted friends; they pro- has been practicing eaves-dropping, a lawful act mote our ideas among the people; a task, how- at times, but not always. There is a certain ever, which does not hinder them from thinking story in connection with the notary whom the more of their interests than ours. Ah! those old lady sent for, which, when related in Mademendicant friars! Were their founder to come lette's fashion, would be very damaging to our to life again, he would be not a little astonished interests. Tournichon again, thinking that at the discovery he would make, designing as Louise and her brother were in utter ignorance he did that his followers should live in wooden of what was going on, told them (he is a great or earth huts, have small, low churches, and be ass at times) that the last wishes of their aunt always poor. However, such as they are, they would most undoubtedly be carried out. This help us a little. But, with respect to the cure was reported to the advocate Verdelon; he had of La Claviere, he's not the man to forward a conference with our mortal enemy, the cure Miss Louise in the matter of her religious voca- of La Claviere, in which the woman took part, tion." and the result will be a sweet little lawsuit to " Oh, as to that, it's all up with her vocation, recover the property, by representing it as a I assure you. The fact is, her aunt would have mere pseudo-trust." done much more for her had she persevered in "Just what it is." her original idea of entering the Sacre-Ceur, "Exactly; but, as the law does not happen though she was very far from disposed to put it to recognize these trusts, the will will be caninto her niece's power to remain in a world celed." which would have so many snares for one so ir- "But are you sure the law doesn't recognize resolute. In fact, I am perfectly sure that she them?" has sacrificed her feelings to her anxiety for her "Quite; but you see, madam," he added, niece's spiritual good. As for the Abbe Julio, with a smile, " we do not recognize the law. the very day he preached that unfortunate ser- Had this suit been undertaken four or five years mon at the Carmelite convent, on an occasion ago, it would have been all, up with us; but which issued in such a disgraceful result, his now the case is different..Madelette is a foraunt said to me,' My nephew shall never be my midable w ess. I am confident that the half heir.'" of what sh says is pure invention; but, not"'Ah! she said so to you, did she?" withstanding that, she has seen and heard "Those were her very words." enough to be able to prove the trust, unless she "Good; we must remember them at the retracts, and the motive which actuates' her is right time and place." removed by the time the suit commences. In "Do you know, reverend father, that your that case, our enemies would benice1ly caught. society has fallen on its feet in this affair. Tour- Possibly, the poor woman, who means well, at nichon told Father Boniface that the property the bottom, but who has been seduced by avawas above six hundred thousand francs." rice, might return to a better mind. But this is "Not so fast there," said the father to him- hardly to be hoped for.. The love of money self; "we must dismiss the subject." (Aloud)- ruined Judas, and Judas died impenitent."e,y "Quite true, countess; and at this moment "But is there no other way of stopping this we are in great need of such help. We are de- wretched action?" vising schemes for the glory and triumph of the "Our fathers here, madam, have deliberated Church which we shall never be able to realize most anxiously at this crisis.. One of the without resources in proportion to their vast- youngest of their number suggested a course, ness. To work for us and with us is to work but his counsel was rejected, wisely' as he himfor God, while those who are against us are self agreed. And yet-"' more His enemies than ours. Thanks to them, "But that counsel, reverend father, what was 116 UNDER THE BAN. it?" And every feature of her face expressed attention of the Jesuits. The trial day was apthe most eager curiosity. proaching. The father had ascertained from "You love us enough to justify my telling the countess that Madelette, under the influence you our secrets. It was that Madelette's si- of better feelings, was prepared to retract her lence should be bought." previous indiscreet statements, and to meet any "Not such bad advice, after all. Father questions likely to be put to her with the simple Briffard is skillful, and he is her confessor." reply, " I recall all I said; my annoyance with "But what if she refused? We dare not M. Tournichon made me say it." In fact, she commit ourselves to so dangerous an experi- had been thoroughly trained by the countess, ment. Moreover, the woman's demands would and there was no longer any cause for apprebe in proportion to the value of her services. hension, as far as she was concerned. This is the business aspect of the matter." There was another plan also which the Pro"Any very great difficulty there?" vincial communicated to his secret council. "Not by any means: these are not the rea- "The archbishop," he said, "will be glad of sons that led to the rejection of the idea. There our humble services at Rome in that little trifle is the moral consideration as well. You see, of the hat which has been on his mind these two madam, our society is in a sense an aggregate years. Our general is furthering his views, and individual, and so has its individual scruples. he knows that we can assist him very materially There is not one of us who would like to bar- in this matter so near his heart. Now what I gain with this unhappy woman to obtain her si- want to know is whether we could not give him lence, even though the cause were perfectly to understand, in some way or other, that if he just; for what can be:more just than the right compelled the Abb6 Julio to abandon his proof disposing of what belongs to us? Every law ceedings against us, our overwhelming gratitude which fetters the free will of a testator is an at- would make us redouble our efforts to help him tack upon property. It is an unrighteous law, to this precious hat." infected with socialism, and may be evaded "A delicate matter that," said a father preswithout the smallest scruple. At the same ent. "Rather serious, asking an archbishop time, madam, though it is generally believed to interfere in the family affairs of one of his that we hold to the maxim,'The end justifies priests." the means,'we are reluctant to do as a society "Really, brother," said Father Boniface, with what we would not do as individuals. We dis- a cunning smile, "do you mean to say that? like paying this person to perform an act of Go along with you. Why, there's nothing bishduty. We might do it for another order, even ops are so fond of as meddling with their clergy. in the maintenance of a worldly interest, if it af- They have rendered them so malleable that they fected our true friends, but for ourselves we can can square them to any of their purposes. Acnot. We wish to preserve our dignity, and are customed to this absolute obedience, they are fuaverse to giving a handle (for every thing gets rious if they are resisted. And were this Abbe abroad) to the calumnious outcry raised against Julio to turn out, as I suspect, one of the obour venerable society." streperous spirits, the archbishop would think The countess was lost in admiration of this mighty little of saying to him,'Give up this delicate and super-exquisite sense of honor ex- lawsuit, or I'll interdict you to-morrow.' Rehibited by the good fathers. She made no re- member that threat is omnipotent with the clerply, but seemed lost in a reverie. gy. To be interdicted-why, it is to be flung " Just so," she remarked, after a few minutes' into a dungeon, in the judgment of the religious silence. " I understand you; you would rather world. A priest always cowers before that ternot act yourselves?" rible prospect; and my opinion is, that this will And, changing the conversation e spoke on have to be the weapon employed in our young other matters. When the Jesuit rose to take friend's case." his leave, she accompanied him to the end of An inclination of heads all round in token of the approach. There they separated. As soon general assent. as the father was alone, he rubbed his hands "Shall I communicate directly with his highwith an air of triumph. ness," asked the Provincial, " or shall I employ The Countess of -- ordered her carriage. the vicar-general as a go-between, knowing him She took with her a pocket-book full of bank- to be thoroughly in our interests? Bishops who notes, and ordered the coachman to drive to the are fond of flattering us outwardly, and making chateau of La Claviere. Reaching the house, us unlimited promises, are not always heartily she asked for Madelette, fully convinced all the on our side; and I am much mistaken if our time that she was acting entirely on her own archbishop is not using us as his instruments, idea. without having any very deep affection for our ~ —-* —- society. But I can rely upon M. Gaguel." " In that case, reverend father," said Father CHAPTER VIII. Briffard, "I would advise your securing his offices in this delicate matter. We know how STORM AT THE PALAanxious he is for a mitre. Promise him our THE alarming lawsuit in the matter of the best endeavors in his behalf with those secret La Claviere property occupied the most anxious agencies that we have at our command; then AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 117 you need have no farther anxiety in his case- ed harshly toward you. Men are everlastingly he will work the thing." crying out, nowadays, against episcopal tyranny. A few days after this Julio left St. Aventin, Judge yourself with how much truth, so far as and took the diligence through Luchon to T —. I am concerned. I passed over that shameful It was his first trip through the lovely valley of affair of the book, with reference to which I rethe Peak since his return to his mountain home ceived letters from every corner of France. As with his beloved Louise. On the present occa- to your sermons, so little in harmony with the sion he was abstracted and sad. A letter from teaching of the Church that their every sentence the palace, very abrupt and brief, in the hand- has been impregnated with heresy, I have shut writing of the vicar-general, had required his my eyes to them. I have been worried out of immediate attendance on the archbishop on my life with complaints against you;- you will business of extreme importance. never know the battles I have had to fight in What could this business be? he asked him- your behalf. I put off all the protests on the self. Was it the affair of Mother Judas? But ground of your youth, the rashness of your no; monseigneur had glanced at that on his character, and the inevitable evils of extempore pastoral visit to St. Aventin. Was it the in- preaching. When a grave representation afquiry in reference to the pretended vision of fecting your moral character was formally adLisette Cabarous? But the archbishop had not dressed to my secretary by a lady of distinmade the slightest reference to it either private- guished merit, through an eminent priest, whose ly or from the pulpit; and, had he wished to character frees him from all possible suspicion give it prominence, he most certainly would have of carelessness, I took refuge in a secret inquiry, dwelt upon it in his sermon. Mother Judas had absolutely indispensable if I would screen mybeen on the look-out for some such allusion; the self from a charge of laxity of discipline.: These little devotees of the parish had been scandal- circumstances go far to prove that I have not ized at the archiepiscopal silence, and given free treated you with severity. vent to the opinion that the cure had prejudiced "Now, however, it is different. The Jesuits him against it. Could it be the affair of the are powerful and influential here. To go to war lawsuit? But what right had the archbishop with them is highly imprudent. Archbishop to meddle in family matters? though I am, I tell you, in confidence, I wouldn't Artful as Monseigneur Le Cricq was, he felt for worlds be involved in a lawsuit with them. that it was no easy thing to bring a man like It would be a case of earthen jug against iron Julio to his knees, and compel him to comply jug. Not to mention the invariable risk of loswith his demand or yield to his threats. How- ing, in the uncertainty that attends the decisever, he made the attempt; and when Julio was ions of legal tribunals, I should array against introduced into his private study, he began his myself the whole town, which holds them in attack by adopting the plausible style. such high, and, for the matter of that, in such "I have sent for you, M. le Cure, on a mat- deserved respect. Ah! M. le Cure, an archter of great importance-very great. I refer, bishop is here to-day and gone to-morrow; but you understand, to this lawsuit against the Jes- the Jesuits remain. A corporation does not die. uits. In any other circumstances, nothing would Let me, then, recommend to you the course I induce me to interfere with private affairs, pro- should take were the matter mine. I should revided that the priest involved in them managed linquish the struggle. I know that you will be them without creating a scandal. But the pres- prepared to urge, on the other hand, your sisent case is an exception. There are involved ter's interests. A very proper consideration, I in it the interests and honor of an order of high frankly admit. I can easily understand that rank in the Church. This lawsuit, it would you look u yourself as, to a certain extent, seem, threatens to assume large proportions. her guardia Yet your good aunt was of opinYour advocate has already created a great stir ion that an annuity was enough for the young about it; he is a person of mark, and the oppor- lady who was generally understood to be destunity of pleading against the Jesuits is too tinedfor the cloister. As for yourself, your protempting not to attract such a man in the first fessional income, with the allowance provided instance. The Liberal and Revolutionary party, in the will, must surely be amply sufficient for strong here as every where, reckon much on your wants. We don't require much as priests. working the thing as an instrument of develop- Meanwhile, if you are disposed to accept my ing their hatred against the Church, and pro- suggestions in this matter, with reference to moting that disgraceful persecution which is rife which, understand me, religious opinion, parain Rome, and even in France. Hence I infer mount in this place, might drivi'me to measthat this lawsuit will be nothing short of a pub- ures which I should be most unwilling to adopt, lie scandal. Your unfortunate opinions, so free- I think we might make some compromise. God ly uttered from the pulpit, and recorded in that knows how willingly I would mediate between miserable pamphlet attributed to my venerable you and the worthy fathers. As your only pospredecessor, have won you the high esteem of sible interest in the matter is, of course, your the skeptic and the blasphemer. Very bad sister's prospects, we might induce them to come friends these, M. le Cure; I can not congratu- to some understanding-either to increase her late you on their alliance.. On the other hand, annuity, or to pay her a respectable sum down, you will not venture to accuse me of having act- as dowry, should she wish to marry. Such, M. 118 UNDER THE BAN. le Cure, are the propositions I make to you, be- the spoliation you complain of, it is by no means fore acting at all myself in the interest of your proved. But I am answerable before the Holy own peace and quietness, of our religion attack- Father and the Catholic world for the public ed, at the present day, on every side, and in the acts of my priests. I have been so incessantly hope of depriving our enemies of a triumph over taken to task for my leniency toward you, that the faith, and so avoiding the scandal they would I have no fancy for another series of complaints occasion by publishing the whole affair, in exten- on that score; in short, I am tired to death of so, in their unprincipled journals. Would it not them, and mean to have done with them. I was be better for you to retire from the struggle, anxious to propose to you a simple and honorwhile I, espousing your interests, as every bish- able expedient for terminating this matter, with op is bound to do for his priests, endeavored to a due regard to the interests of your sister. In effect an arrangement the terms of which I so doing, I was acting as bishop and father. If should be only too happy to assist in settling? you are resolved to misconstrue my intentions, What do you say?" which are most upright and disinterested, there "I have only one course open to me, mon- is but one course left me, which I have been seigneur-to oppose, in the interests of justice, most anxious to avoid, and that is, to avail mya most flagrant robbery. Had I had any doubt self of my spiritual power." as.to the nature of M. Tournichon's relation to "Your spiritual power, monseigneur! This this affair, in the interests of the Jesuits, your is the first time I ever heard that a bishop's proceeding to-day would have confirmed my spiritual power gave him any right over the forsuspicions. In determining, in my own and tune of his clergy." my sister's name, to prosecute a suit which must "No quibbles here, sir, if you please. Of issue in our favor, I most solemnly declare that course, I do not pretend to the right to dispose I am less actuated by a desire to recover our of your private fortune; but when a priest, in own than by a feeling of indignation against a his private life, does acts which tend to comprolong-matured conspiracy. It is with pain I add, mise the body to which he has the honor to bemonseigneur, that I grieve to see a bishop es- long, and when, at the same time, a bishop has pousing such a bad cause, and proposing a com- it in his power, by the exercise of his authority, promise which would be no less a spoliation than to obviate a high scandal in the Church, he is the original act." fully justified in taking such a step-nay, more, "You misunderstand me, M. le Cure. You he is bound to do so. Read the Gospel again, imagined that I was commissioned by the Jes- and you will see that there are cases in which, uits to come to terms with you. I swear most when a coat is demanded, it becomes us not solemnly that this is not the case. The idea only to give up that, but our cloak also." was entirely my own." " Monseigneur, we may argue forever on this And the archbishop said what was perfectly point. Now that you have thus set forth your true. The Jesuits had induced the vicar-gen- rights over your clergy, I have nothing farther eral to use his influence with his master to force to add." Julio to give up the prosecution, but they were " Then are you prepared to do as I wish?" too cunning to suffer themselves to appear in "I repeat what I have already said, monthe matter. So the archbishop was not their seigneur. I owe you obedience in every thing tool. which pertains to my ministerial office; to that " When escape from a scandal is the matter I am bound as a priest. There remain my sepat issue," he continued, "a community is ready arate individual rights as a man and a citizen, to make sacrifices of the most costly description. and you will excuse my remarking that I mean I am sure that the Jesuits, to pid drawing to maintain them." upon themselves general attenti, would pre- "I like that! Your rights as a citizen, invail on good M. Tournichon to modify the terms deed! Fine rights! Here is another of your of the bequest, on the understanding that you, charming ideas. I understand the distinction for your part, would be ready to make the con- -priest and citizen. However, M. le Cure, I cession required of you." may as well inform you that, unfortunately for "In that case, monseigneur, I can not com- you, the episcopate doesn't recognize it. You prehend why you have negotiated in the mat- understand. It is one of those beautiful modter." ern theories bearing on the separation between "Possibly not, M. le Cure; but my conduct Church and State. In your church, you would and motives are plain enough, for all that. The be cure of the parish; outside, M. Julio de la question is, the abandonment of a discreditable Claviere-landed proprietor, elector, an eligible lawsuit, directed by a priest against a religious gentleman-an individual half ecclesiastic, half order of the highest repute in the Church. man oftheworld. These notions are proscribed That's clear enough, isn't it?" at present. Bishops repudiate them utterly. "But, monseigneur, let me ask you, how is My good sir, the day that you became a priest it that you are less disposed to espouse the in- you parted with your independence. You were terests of the priest, whose natural protector you invested with priestly dignity, and, forasmuch as are, than of an order whose aggressive spirit is the soul is more honorable than the body, and as well known to you as to myself?" that the more illustrious nature has precedence "I'm not called to judge them; and as for over the other, in the same way as you speak of AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 119 the man' when you refer to the soul clothed "In other words, you refuse to yield?" with the body, just so you speak of the priest in "Precisely so, monseigneur." alluding to the Christian raised to, the priest- "Very well, we shall see." hood. Such is your high position. I regret that you have yet to understand it, and that a man like yourself, reputed to be by no means deficient in sense, should be willing to descend CHAPTER IX. from his exalted office to the level of worldly JULIO'S MINISTRY. people. You are pursuing a dangerous course in doing so, M. le Cure. If you persevere, take JULIO returned home very much out of spirits. my word for it-the word of a bishop, older and In his vexation, the archbishop might do almost more experienced than yourself-you will come any thing; there is but one penalty-a fearful to a bad end." one -for a recalcitrant priest. That penalty "I trust in God not, monseigneur. As for makes no note of a blameless private life, nor the distinction between a man and a priest, I yet of earnest devotion to severe parish toil. It hold it because He has made it. I neither sleep strikes at the root of every thing to which the nor feed in my priestly capacity, and this com- poor priest can lay claim; assails his honor, so mon humanity within me, before I became a dear even to the humblest and the most obscure; priest, had its existence among other humani- and deprives him even of life, by robbing him of ties outside that ministerial office which I have his miserable pittance. In the judgment of igassumed. That existence unites me to society, norant outsiders, the priest who has been interinvolving me in obligations, and assuring to me dieted by his diocesan, no matter for what, iwhethrights over which the Church has no control. er because he had trodden on the consecrated In precisely as the civil magistrate has nothing wafer, or neglected to shave his head, is an outwhatever to do with me as a priest, just so the law-a convict. bishop has nothing whatever to do with me as a If you have ever had the mournful curiosity citizen. These opinions, monseigneur, appear to look inside a convict prison, you concluded at to me so simple and obvious, that they can not once, as you saw the men in chains, and clothed but be adopted. Had the bishop who ordained with the garb of disgrace, that you were in the me held your views, I should have declined an presence of robbers, incendiaries, assassins, or office which I love, but which I can not, for the forgers. Just so when the Catholic chances to life of me, regard as destroying my existence as meet an unhappy priest who has been visited a man and citizen." with the thunders of episcopal ire and expelled "Yet we and all good priests can; hence the from his presbytery; he refuses to recognize him priestly garb is never changed for another; hence any longer in his priestly character, or to salute the tonsure as a mark of consecration. The a man whom he regards as a monster of impiety priesthood are a peculiar people-' gens sancta, -a sort of criminal at the galleys, only without royale saccrdotium.' But enough of that; I the dress. want yes or no from you. Do you mean to Hence it will be evident that he must have a drive me to extremities?" soul of iron who is able to hold his own under "Monseigneur, you are master; your priests such circumstances through a long life in the are delivered over to you bound hand and foot. presence of bigoted on-lookers, without relapsing There is no redress from your authority; indeed, into despair, or cursing God and man. I am astonished that your highness should con- Would Julio be equal to the emergency? descend to parley with me. You have colleagues He knew perfectly well that if there were many less scrupulous than yourself in similar cases;bishops who never had recourse to such a measthey crush the poor priest remorselessly. What ure except in the gravest possible cases, there care they for his harassed life or even his blight- were others who were prepared to adopt it on ed future? What is the outcast to them, with the most trivial occasion. The Church, in her his sole power of making a useless protest? To gradual decadence, had failed to preserve those be plain with you, monseigneur, you are better ancient laws which protected the priest against than your mitred brethren. You suffer your the possibly fatal consequences of mistake or ill priests to speak before you pass sentence.". will. Revolutions have transpired emancipating "A truce to these sarcasms, sir! —ill becom- civil life. Thirty-eight millions in France reing a priest; and, since it's high time this con- gard as sacred the existence of the humblest ference came to an end, I command you, by that member of the great national family; not a hair obedience which you have sworn to render to me of his head can be touched without the law inin all things, to give up this scandalous lawsuit." terfering to shield him. Changes have subvert"Monseigneur, the obedience which I swore ed the political power of the clergy, yet in their to render to you referred only to my conduct as remissness they have failed to anticipate the day a pastor, and can not in any sense apply to my when the priest, whose life is spent in ministerprivate life as an individual, or my family or pe- ing to the poor, and breathing a fever or cholera cuniary affairs. I should be sorry to oppose a atmosphere at the dying bed, would cease to excommand of my diocesan, but I must follow duty ist socially except at the will and pleasure of his and my conscience before every other consider- ecclesiastical sovereign. They leave him to the ation." tender mercies of an episcopal secretary with a 120 UNDER THE BAN. possible spite agafnst him, or to a bishop utterly gives those who dare to oppose injustice. Had opposed to liberal sentiments. They have per- it not been for me, you would have allowed petuated to one class only a condition of slav- yourself to be robbed most cheerfully, and you ery, and that class is the priesthood. would never have dreamt of taking any steps, Julio could not disguise from himself the fact probably useless ones, against men so utterly that his peace, his happiness, his entire future, cunning and greedy. Oh, what a wretched girl were at the mercy of the archbishop. Louise I am!" could only weep bitterly when he told her the "Louise, you are mistaken. Injustice alstory of his interview. By a cruel chance, her ways exasperates me. And had I had only my happiness, that happiness which lay in her mar- own interests to look after, I should most probriage with Verdelon, and the prospect of which ably have acted as I am doing, not so much to was dearer than life itself, was inseparably asso- recover my fortune, the advantages of which, ciated with the fortune, the robbery of which, however, I by no means despise, with the happy backed as it was by the omnipotent influence of independence which they secure, as from a printhe palace, was now to be strenuously opposed. ciple of right, and a desire to expose to the "My poor brother, I wish I were sufficiently world the wrong, practiced on a grand scale ununselfish to be able to say,'Fling in their faces der the name of Catholicism. So make yourthe money they are so greedy to get! Let us self happy, dear. Ours is a common object. I leave this wretched country, where the priest is am delighted to devote myself to your interests, only an outlaw, where orphans are pillaged in but, above all, to expose a cause higher even the name of God. Let us go to some free land than yours-the cause of God." where we may earn, no matter how, our daily Yet these assurances, earnestly as Julio urged bread. You are highly accomplished, and also them, had little comfort for Louise. Women, a capital linguist; I can teach music; in this with all their warmth of feeling, have more way we may escape from our would-be murder- practical good sense than men, whose potent arers.' But I haven't enough command over my- guments subside often into vague generalities. self to be able to say this. You know well that They are occupied with minor considerations my heart is no longer my own. It is late in the and secondary agencies; they have a child's day to tell you this. God is my witness that it active memory of little things, and so they reais not from any want of frankness that I have son from what they see. omitted hitherto to say as much to you. But Now Louise knew well that there were no our training as women is so peculiar. It seems haters like priests, and that, when these animosalmost immodest in us to breathe the word Love, ities were set in motion by powerful corporaeven before a brother. Now that I have told tions, and backed by subtle ambitions, they knew you all, however, let me thank you for your ef- no bounds. Nor did she fail to infer that the forts to secure to me that dowry, without which, archbishop had not acted spontaneously in the alas! I feel that the gift of my heart would not matter; that he would never have sent for Julio suffice. Since I have been here, I have reflect- to T —- except under the influence of some ed a good deal. How short a time it takes to superior interest, associated, therefore, with that dissipate one's dreams. How different life ap- of the Jesuits; and so, putting two and two topears to me now, as compared with my visions gether, she arrived at the terrible conclusion of it a few months ago. I have learnt my les- that they were utterly ruined. son in the school of misfortune, and, heavy though Mother Judas had profited by Julio's three the blow may be, I can not altogether abandon or four day's absence to play a very pretty little hope. Do tell me that you would not wish me game at St. Aventin. It was not so much hato do so; tell me that you forgive me for ex- tred that she felt for him as horror. From the posing you to a course, the consequence of which day that he had refused, in his blunt straightto you as priest may prove so terrible." forwardness, to sanction one of those pious "( My beloved girl, I have a duty to discharge frauds, intended to rouse popular fanaticism, net toward you which I hold to be sacred. God's large offerings, and fill the sacristy purse, he law would require me to defend any orphan had been down in her black bobks; and since whose fate had been intrusted to my care-how she was a lady who was unable to do any thing much more when that orphan is my sister. It by halves, she was certain either to worship her is as well, too, that there should be men ready cure, making him pass as a saint, or else to hunt to defy wrong, however disguised. At present him down with pitiless hatred, representing him it reaches us through a religious order; and I as the most abandoned of priests. mean to resist it in its Jesuit garb. True, an Now to this last course, it must be owned, she archbishop has thought fit to espouse the spoil- was more likely to take kindly. The pleasures er's side; but I am not alarmed of his threats. of vengeance are racier to spirits like hers than You need not be afraid. I will carry on the those of enthusiasm or fanaticism. It is tirestruggle to the very end." some to be forever deifying the same man, but "My dear Julio, I never questioned your it is always nice to detest him. Hatred in a courage. I only asked myself whether I was bigot's heart is a perennial spring. not greatly to blame for having exposed you to Julio was adored in his parish. The generthis war with the strong, and compromised your ous instincts of the people never ultimately deposition with the clerical world, which never for- ceive them: they may be led astray for a mo AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 121 ment, but they soon abandon their wild ideas, and the other attendant virgins. "He'll soon and return simply and grandly to the truth. see how they'll make him dance!" The mountaineers of St. Aventin had thorough- "Attack the Jesuits!" In their eyes, it was ly studied their young pastor, so different in his almost the same as attacking God himself. bearing and conduct from the ordinary clerical "Attack the Jesuits!" said the young lady type. Distinguished in his manners, thought- with a vision. ful in his words, simple in every thing, familiar "Attack the Jesuits!" observed Manette. with all, to the utmost limits compatible with "Attack the Jesuits!" struck in Gotille. his dignity, he had won mightily on their frank "Attack the Jesuits!" ejaculated Marion. and half savage natures. They felt that their "Why, those good fathers are the saintliest curd was a man worth having. The old folk of men; but woe to him who dares to meddle especially, the repositories of the traditional his- with them. The French Revolution, with the tory of the place, were his devoted admirers. trundling of a royal head on a crimson scaffold, They would often talk about him among them- was the result of their expulsion from France. selves as "a thorough priest," while middle- Charles X. fell because he gave up protecting aged men of judgment and experience content- them." ed themselves with calling him their friend. "Then they must be of great importance, As for the young people, they were enthusiastic mother?" on the subject. He was no ordinary man in "Important! I should just think so. They their judgment. "We love him with all our are the vanguard of Catholicism. There would heart," was their constant testimony. be no such thing as religion without them. It The only ones against him were Mother Ju- is they who support the Holy Father at Rome. das's interesting followers. The little store he It is to them we owe the immaculate conception had set by Lisette's vision naturally made her of the Virgin." cherish against him a hatred as bitter as the old " Oh, then, dear, dear mother," said Lisette, lady's. Those silly, fanatical creatures-young "do please try and get them to manage the idiots with morbid temperaments and bad diges- immaculate conception of our sweet Saint Jotions, whose heated brains roused, instead of seph." ruling, those functions intended to keep the sys. "With all my heart, my beloved child. Howtem in a quiet, healthful state, were under the ever, when the day comes, they will be inspired complete dominion of Madame de la Caprede. for the purpose; and then you will be glorified, She was their gospel complete. Who would and your vision will be spread over the whole presume to differ fiom such an authority? earth. Pray without ceasing, daughter; but " That miserable cure!" rest assured that whatever good happens to the It was her only name for Julio; and the in- Church, a Jesuit will have the doing of it." definite phrase-by no means libelous as it "But don't forget Father Basil," said Marion. stood, but which left a large margin to the fan- "Oh, he is just the forerunner of whoever is cy-sounding from morning to night in the ears destined to take up the case of the spouse of the of her young friends, could have but one effect Virgin. I feel quite clear in my mind that no upon them. Of course they came to the con- good can come to the Church without a Jesuit." elusion that Julio was no better than he should "Then I, for one, love them dearly," said be, since the good mother felt compelled to al- Gotille; " and I don't like this miserable cure lude to him in such terms. And when they at all-that I don't." heard their grandfathers, fathers, and brothers "We ought not to say we don't like him, speaking of him with love and respect, they set Gotille," said Mother Judas, with biting sardown their opinion as a mere piece of worldly casm in her voice; "charity forbids; but we innocence. Church matters, they said, were are quite justified in asking God to deliver uS better understood by the holy mother than by from him." them. "Does charity allow that, mother?" It was on such hopeful intellects as these "Oh, most thoroughly." that she worked, with a view to ruining the rep- "He never says a word to me about the Virutation of the priest she abhorred. Then, too, gin at confession, mother." besides these young people, she had her intimate "I wanted to speak to him about my vocaacquaintances-her confidants. tion," said Manette, "but he wouldn't listen to A letter which she received from T — the me.' Wait till you are twenty,' he said;'time day after Julio's return put her in possession of enough then.'" all the facts with reference to the meditated "Much he cares about vocations! See what lawsuit-the indignation of the archbishop, and a precious article he has made of his sister-a his efforts to prevent it; the threats of an inter- musician, a singer!" diet to which he was most unwilling to be re- "Mother, do you know he is always speaking duced, unless, indeed, the obstinate offender to me about my duty?" should continue to hold out. "Yes, mother, and me too: he told me I This letter threw her into a perfect delirium couldn't be saved if I didn't do my duty; that of joy. if I communicated every morning, and confessed "So he attacks the Jesuits, does he, that mis- twice a week, and didn't do my duty, I couldn't erable priest!" she said to the beloved Lisette be saved." 122 UNDER THE BAN. "Just what he said to me, mother. He "You are terribly remiss, my'dear abbe. hasn't much comfort for you in the confession- Your letters are longer than ever coming, and al. Oh! that Father Basil were back! He I'm so fond of having them. You know we are took hold of one's heart, he did. His warm brothers: it is so pleasant to hold confidential words burn in my ears still:'My beloved interchange with thoughtful priests, that I rechild;''my dear, dear daughter;''my angel.' joice in your much-esteemed friendship. I exOh! it is so nice to hear one's self called an pect to be at Luchon part of the summer seaangel! As for this one, he just says to you son.'Daughter,' quite sharp, and there's an end of "There are only two places in the world it." thoroughly to my liking-Paris and the Pyre"Never mind, my dear children; his days nees: Paris, the centre of every intellectual here are numbered. I predict that we shall movement of the age; the Pyrenees, that vast soon have done with him. Meanwhile, pray garden of perpetual foliage, planted by the hand the Holy Virgin and St. Joseph to send us a of God to recreate the body and refresh the soul. pious, zealous, thorough, self-denying priest, "I need hardly tell you that, as soon as poscarrying out in his life his relation to the par- sible after my arrival, my highness will pay a ish, and a true help to the souls of the faith- visit to your highness. ful." "Don't think that I'm joking. You are far The malicious utterances of Madame de le more of a bishop than I am. You are working Caprede, however, had not quite as much influ- wonders, they tell me, at St. Aventin. A lady, ence as she had hoped for. Her snake-in-the- in high position here, combining the most unimgrass proceedings were ineffectual, after all, to peachable character and brilliant intellect-a alienate the parishioners from their young pas- rarity in this episcopal city of mine-has just tor. returned' from Luchon full of your parochial Moreover, when, on his return from T-, triumphs. You are bringing back the Golden he appeared among them as free, as kind, as Age, they say. Your faithful are Christians of self-possessed as ever, they meanwhile knowing the primitive Church. full well the robbery of which he and his sister "Do tell me how you manage. Enlarge on had been the victims, he had no difficulty in the theme elaborately and minutely. Your letseeing that their regard for him was daily in- ters are the only ones I find short. creasing in warmth. In all disputes arising out "Our cures succeed so little. It is all they of wills in favor of religious orders, the claim of can manage if they are able to say, after twenty justice is always respected by public opinion. years' work, that there is as much religion in If the testator has no relations, or if those he their people as when they began. And yet they has are very wealthy, the affair creates but lit- are not wanting in piety themselves. I feel this tie interest. What matter if they have evaded to be a grievous state of things, I do assure you. the law, or had recourse to a pseudo-trustee? Since God has enabled you to do better, tell me It is voted at once all right and proper that peo- the secret. pie should dispose of their property after death "It would appear that you, too, have had as they choose. Far otherwise, however, is the your miracle at St. Aventin. I can not say that judgment in the case of penniless heirs, whom I congratulate you very warmly on that. Take chicanery has deprived of their legitimate hopes. care-Salette and Lourdes will quarrel with Then the general resentment is profound and you. implacable. Ah! those religious orders, more "I am quite sure that there has been a miraespecially the Jesuits, will pay dear one day for cle in your parish, but it has been effected by their ill-gotten wealth. A time will come when the spirit of the Gospel penetrating among a any service they may have rendered to the cause people asleep in their sins and ceremonial rouof education or charity will be ignored utterly tine. Under God, you yourself have been the in the popular reckoning. They will perish un- wonder-worker. lamented. The people will take vengeance on "To the winds or to the flames with this letthem for their robberies, and so execute the ter! written with the broken stump of a pen, judgment of the Most High. and in a careless style, reflecting little credit on A week had elapsed since Julio's return. a bishop. And, I implore you, never refer to Louise trembled at each arrival of the postman, our correspondence for fear of the Jews. I am lest some authoritative mandate should launch anxious to die in peace with the congregation the fatal blow. of the Holy Office devoted to the detection of A letter with a bishop's crest upon it did in- heretical depravity; and you, sir-you certainly deed arrive at St. Aventin. The poor girl car- smell a little of the fagot. ried it, in a panic, to her brother. "Adieu, my very dear abbe. "Here it is!" she exclaimed. "Come at "Ever yours, etc., last!" "* * * * Bishop of.-." "Quite mistaken, dear," said Julio; "look at the post-mark. It comes from * * *. These To which Julio replied: are not the arms of an archbishop." " St. Aventin, August, 1860. " God be praised!" she cried. "It is very good of you, dear monseigneur, to Julio's letter was as follows: think still of the exile of St. Aventin. Accord AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 123 ing to present appearances, I shall not be left "My mountaineers are born musicians. It long at peace. Possibly you are ignorant of a is not uncommon to hear them singing in parts certain little matter-my sister and I are at law. as they return from their work, their favorite Guess with whom?-why, with the reverend songs being the Church canticles. Our young Jesuits. They have taken what I consider the lads form one choir, our young girls another. I great liberty of helping themselves to the entire have chosen a few very simple ones, and comproperty of my good aunt, by means of a pseudo- posed a few more. Of these they are very proud; trustee; so I have taken the considerably small- they call them the St.Aventin canticles. er liberty of protesting against their proceedings. "You will, of course, understand that in my The Archbishop of T —, who has his own hymns you don't hear of people dying of grief views of the protection he owes to his priests, that they can not die; nor are my young parishhas called upon me to relinquish my opposition, ioners required to state musically that their heart representing it as my duty to do so, on the is consuming in desire, and exhausting itself in ground of canonical obedience. sighs. "You may easily guess my reply to such an "In a word, my purpose has been to solve outrageous argument. So, you see, you are the problem how to adapt Christianity to the nearer the mark than you thought in saying exigencies and characteristics: of our day. If I that I smell of the fagot. Only think of at- have succeeded with these simple rustics, you tacking the Jesuits! what a horrible crime! may have the same success every where. This, What won't they do to make me smart for'it! then, is the grand lever with which I work. The "But to quit this unpleasant subject. You system will inevitably be accepted, and warmly ask me how I have set to work in my endeavors too, by the new generation. The old men are really to Christianize this people. You wish to dying out year after year, like falling autumn know my plan. It is very simple. I have taken leaves, carrying away with them their prejudices, precisely the opposite course to that generally their ignorance, their dry routine. With them adopted by priests. the religious future has no concern; nor is it "Their first maxim is, that you ought to ap- embosomed in the midst of a few female enthupeal to the feelings of the people: forfeelings I siasts, who altogether misapprehend it, and give put reason. the people so false an idea of it as to run the "Their second is, that one ought to preach risk of effectually disgusting them. up devotional practices: for devotional prac- "The entire future of a parish is in the tices read simply duty. hands of the young-those already married, or "Instead of advocating the Jewish notion, just about to be. On them I have worked. I'Pavete ad sanctuarium meum,' I have taught felt that my wisdom would be to combine them my Christians that each of their hearts is the strongly, after having gathered them round me; true sanctuary of God; that the material Church discarding for either purpose those factitious is but a general abode, sheltering each of the means by which they are vehemently urged one faithful, himself being the real temple. I have minute, and left, the next, to their struggles and explained to them that the parish bell is only a dissatisfaction. great clock-bell; that it has no virtue in itself "I have often preached upon marriage. I -least of all that of driving away storms, since have openly advocated early unions. In fact, it often kills ringers by attracting the lightning. I'm the lover's patron saint. " They have been quick enough at perceiving "Your good parish priests are singular morthat religion is no mere heaping up of acts of alists. They would convert the human heart ritualism-the charm of the Middle Ages. They into an article of polished marble. This charmhave been told that Coesar and St. Peter would ing theory-an admirable one for angels-its aube very much astonished if they visited the Rome thors themselves are very careful to be the first of the present day. The former would be at a to demonstrate as impracticable. In the secluloss to understand the language spoken on the sion of the monastery the most rigorous ascetiruins of the Forum, while the latter would cer- cism is practiced to bring about this happy state tainly be inquisitive as to the religion of the of things, but all in vain. How mad, then, to Romans. My parishioners are wonderfully well hope for it in the unrestraint of every-day life. up in the history of the early ages of the Church. "Just see what actually happens. You throw You may question them as to the Christian ba- a man into a grave swathed in grave-clothes. He silic, and the love-feasts after the Eucharistic bestirs himself in his living tomb, eases away the celebration: they will tell you all about them. heavy covering, breaks his chains, clothes himI have interested them in the narrative of the self in his shroud, regains his own home, and great doings of their fathers in the faith. They says he has had enough of it. His experience are as proud of these achievements as peers are is now complete. Your priests will hear from of their inherited nobility. him one day-the day of their dying agony-not "I simply preach to them the old law of Mo- before. ses, reiterated by our Lord,'Love God, and love "I have taken him by the hand with a hearty, your brother.' They all have seats in the church. earnest'Veni foras.' Air, life, liberty, love, unDecorum and freedom, those two essentials of der the eye of God, in obedience to His law, and common life, are the order of the day. Every development, under the quiet influences of His one is pleased, and continues his attendance. providence and grace, for all those wondrous 124 UNDER THE BAN. faculties with which He has endowed His crea- turned them aside, and they will follow it with tures. eagerness and success. Their experience of it "You see, monseigneur, that between these will be better than mine, for it will be unattendtwo theories there is a great gulf fixed. But do ed by suffering. not tire yourself with urging my plan upon the "Meanwhile, as you are afraid of the Sacred malcontents; they would never understand it. College, and have no fancy to be suspected at Men who have been petrified from infancy into Rome, I conclude that you will pass by my suga devout belief in a mighty theocracy, and the gestions as utopian dreams. supremacy of priests over every thing and every " And not without reason; for what can one one in heaven above, in the earth beneath, and man do against a movement loud roaring as in the water under the earth; who think them- many waters, and which is dragging the clergy selves a race altogether apart, a people selected on to an open rupture with modern society? for the blissful purpose of chastising the nations Even a bishop, who had the good sense to say and'trampling them under foot; men who are to these fools,'You are hurrying on to your saturated with medievalism through all the pores ruin!' would be mercilessly proscribed for his of their skin, and who hold in abomination what pains; they would clamor fiercely at Rome for they are pleased to style mock modern civiliza- his degradation. tion-a term well chosen, as it happens, since it "We will talk over these matters more at forbids to the priest the old system of working- length when you pay me your promised visit. how would such men square themselves to your You must tell me what you know, and I previews? Bishop though you are, monseigneur, sume you will have much interesting matter to you would soon smell of the fagot. divulge; while I, for my part, will tell you what "Leave the doomed generation to themselves. I have learnt in my hours of solitary reflection. Sinite mortuos sepelire mortuos.' If you can What a gloomy prospect awaits the clergy! manage in the course of your probably long epis- " Believe me ever, etc., etc., JULIO. copate (for you are young as yet) to gather round " P.S.-During the whole of last May I had you a little college of disciples, of real priests, a fat old monk billeted upon me-a gracious who will understand their day and be understood man from the archbishop, for the pulpit enllghtby it, you will have initiated a great, and the enment and edification of my flock. He has only practical measure. got through an immense amount of talk, soiled " But to accomplish even that much you will an immense amount of linen, and drunk an imrequire courage; you will have to close your mense amount of Bordeaux. I have had to unseminary. The monkish mind is carried away do all that he was good enough to do. Howwith those institutions, the idea of which is ad- ever, the story will keep till you come. He mirable, and which are calculated to render vast is the gentleman who is hawking about now services to the Church, did they but remain what through the religious world the vision of Lisette the Council of Trent intended them to be, mere Cabarous. He is positively anxious to associate theological universities. This has, however, his name with that farce. Poor, poor puffing been lost sight of; the synagogue is uppermost monks! they are tremendous hands at making in them, characterized by the formalism of doc- demonstrations. Alas! alas! their day is drawtors of law. ing on." "That great step once taken, turn your pal-* ace into a school, with yourself for a master, and the young candidates for the priesthood your CHAPTER X. children and scholars. Train them in the text of the Epistles, and in all those liberal studiesA NEW VERGES. necessary now for the well-educated man. Let Ox Saturday, the 29th of August, 1860, one them have plenty of books; let them attend pro- of the hottest mornings in that summer, every fessors' lectures in the town; let them go into thing promised a day, the delight of tourists, society; and when you have thus for some years available for the longest excursions and the tested the reality of their call to the priesthood, highest mountain climbs. A fresh and all but under a system of most thorough liberty, send sharp breeze was carrying before it the last linthem back into the world for two or three years gering misty vapors on the edges of the rocky to choose a wife, and whenever that choice is projections, which, like flying buttresses, sussatisfactory to yourself, in accordance with the tained the giant mass of the central ridge. Glawise provision of the Eastern Church, admit ciers were gleaming in the earliest morning rays. them to the priesthood, and appoint them to the The deep valleys lay still in that cool abundant most important posts in your diocese. Hitherto shade which covers the villages till the sun has the Western Church has thought fit to invest her described a long upward arc in the fair southern priests with greater prestige by compelling them sky. to celibacy. That system has had its advan- The latest meltings of the snow had irrigated tages. A different discipline, however, is need- the mountain sides, and the huge granite heights ed now. were distilling a thousand cataracts, here in sil"By these methods you will resuscitate your ver lines of peaceful flow, there in prattling bubclergy. Once embark them in that natural path bling brooks, or again in rushing roaring torfrom which the theories of the mystics have rents, whose course was so swift that no eye AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 125 could follow them as they thundered downward During this little impromptu on social i*nand shook the earth in their descent. omy, the text of the discourse, accommodated In the distance, over the vast hollow, chan- as best he could be, was quietly engaged with neled out by the impetuous Garonne, you might his breviary. have observed, had you mounted one of those When the diligence had reached the suburb peaks which stand out toward the plain, that behind the bridge of the Garonne, the travelers the atmosphere was already glowing into red, had to alight, and the cure was obliged to enter while the leaden sky was rimmed on the hori- the town on foot. It was eleven o'clock, and zon with a purple band. the mountaineer who had risen at daybreak was A traveler, with a small valise in his hand, prodigiously hungry. He went to a restaurant was waiting on the road from Luchon to T — in the Place du Capitole, ordered a breakfast, for the diligence, announced to start at five which he washed down with a capital bottle of o'clock in the morning. He kept consulting wine, took his time over the meal, rested, paid his watch with manifest impatience, now facing the bill, and sallied forth. the road toward T —, again climbing the steep Thence bending his steps toward the theatre, sides of the valley, clearly to distract his mind he entered the main street leading to the caand kill time. He was one of the mountain thedral and the centre of the town. cures, and exhibited on the occasion in question The ground floor of the third house on the a strictly orthodox clerical costume - soutane, left was taken up with the large shop of Audran, bands, cincture, and broad-brimmed hat lapped the celebrated armorer of T-. Thither the over, all complete. Yet the nineteenth century cure proceeded; and, addressing the shopman, man was evident in this disguise; he wore what asked to be shown a good, substantial revolver. proper priests would call a revolutionary dress, The proprietor, who was in the little room bethat is to say, trowsers, which they are in the hind, came forward. habit of exchanging for knee-breeches, accord- "You would like an expensive article, M. le ing to the old style, a venerable indication of Cure?" their freedom from modern ideas. His large "Not exactly that. I don't want to pay a shoes, stylish and well-blacked though they high figure for it. I only want something subwere, marked the Pyreneean. stantial. I am a mountain curd, and occasionMeanwhile the lumbering vehicle arrived at ally have to be out late." last, creaking on its springs, and harnessed to "I understand." those lanky, bony hacks, with their foaming And, taking a fine revolver, with four barrels, sides, which are accustomed to drag out, in from a glass show-case, he said, that miserable service, the remnants of their "h ere is just the thing you require, M. le strength. CuW It's of the very best kind of useful weap"Have you a seat free?" ons. The stock is unornamented; and I can "Not one, M. le Cure." guarantee the article. You see my name upon "Not one! impossible; stow me any where it." you please, near you on your seat if you like, "How much?" or in with the luggage. I have an appointment "You'll perhaps think it a little dear-ninety at T —." francs is thl lowest price." "Yes; and then the administration will be "The lowest price?" down upon me with a fine." "Yes, M. le Cure, the lowest price." "All right, I'll pay it;" and the strong hearty The curd took the weapon, turned it over and cure hoisted himself into the banquette, where over, and tried how he could use it. some young men squeezed themselves together "With this weapon," he said, "one might a little to make room for him. easily terrify a man." "There's a stalwart cherry-looking fellow," "Ay, and a good lot of'em too, especially said some commercial traveler inside. "He when one of your figure is holding it." has the frame of a Hercules. Fine men these "Then I could?" mountaineers are. Did you notice his bright "I should rather think so." eye, arched nose, and expressive mouth?" "You won't lower your price?" "That I did! He'd make a better gendarme "I can't." than priest." "Then I'll take it." "These splendid-looking men are not so And the cure, producing a leathern purse, tied commonly met with. If I were the govern- with thick strings, paid the money. ment, I would send a recruiting officer to in- " Your name, sir, if you please? We generspect the seminaries, and every young fellow I ally enter on our books the names of any genmet with of his style I'd pack off to the army." tiemen to whom we sell fire-arms." "You would, would you? and, pray, how "Very good; it's a wise precaution against about liberty?" assassins. Jean Loubere, cure of...." "Humbug to that! Every man is cut out And he was on the point of leaving, when, for his proper work, that's all I know. Make turning round again, he said to the armorer, the rickety fellows priests and monks if you will "On reflection, I should be glad to have it -all the better; but healthy chaps like him — loaded with ball. That will be in the bargain, bah! it's absurd!" of course?" 126 UNDER THE BAN. D)on't mention it, M. le Cure: shall I put that door also behind him, securing it in a sim. a ~a on?" ilar manner. He next reached the archbish-:*" Yes, please." op's bedroom-an immense apartment, where And the weapon was loaded and returned. Julio had witnessed the dying struggle of CarThe cure slipped it carefully into his trowsers' dinal de Flammarens, and secured the lock as pocket and left the shop, followed by a gracious before. inclination of the head from the shopman. He was now at the door of the archbishop's "And now we'll go," he said to himself, "and study. In spite of a wild beating at his heart pay a morning visit to our friend Monseigneur which he could not repress, he knocked gently. le Cricq." A harsh voice from within immediately sumOne o'clock was striking on the great bell of moned him to enter. St. Stephen's. The streets were deserted; and Obeying, he found the archbishop seated in the farther the stranger with the revolver pene- a large easy-chair near his library-table, on trated into the aristocratic quarter of the town, which books, papers, and letters were heaped in the fewer passers-by he met. Soon, however, disordered profusion. As he was on the farhe reached a little street full of shops. Through ther side of the room, with his face toward the this he walked with a slow, steady step. Then door, he saw the cure of --- immediately turning to the right, along another of a similar on his entrance, and recognized him at once. character, he knocked at a large doorway lead- "Monseigneur, I have the honor-" ing into a court-yard. The gate opened, and "What's the matter? What do you want?" he advanced to the porter's lodge. said the archbishop, in an abrupt and haughty "Good morning, Florentin." tone. " Ah! it's you, is it, M. Loubere?" "I came, monseigneur-" "Yes, my friend. How are you?" "I have nothing to say to you. Go back to "Very well, thank you, M. Loub'ere." your parish, and wait for my orders there." The Florentine was well known to him, be- Loubere continued, in the same key, ing the son of the seminary porter. The abbd "But, monseigneur-" had known him for four years, when he was "There's no'but' in the matter, sir, I tell little more than a child. So they were on fa- you. I have nothing to say to you whatever. miliar terms. Be off! Good morning." Is any one in the palace?" During this dialogue the archbishop had re"They are all gone out: there's only mon- mained seated, while the priest was standing. seigneur in his study." "Do you really mean that, monseigneur?" "Ahi! very well. It's with him tht my "Really mean it? Yes, sir. Go, I say, business is." or..." And, rising as he spoke, he looked " Shall I go and announce you?" as if he meant to make for the fireplace and "No need for that, my lad. A country cure pull the bell. like me has small ideas of etiquette. I know Loubere saw the movement, and, cunning as the staircase." a hunter surprised by a lion before he expected "As you please, M. le Cure." him, he sprang toward the chimney-piece, and, "Listen a minute. I want to have a long snatching a large knife from his pocket, cut the conversation with monseigneur. If any one bell-rope. should happen to call, please say that his high- "What, sir! You threaten me with vioness is particularly engaged. You understand lence to my face, do you? That's outrageous. -we are friends." You are suspended ipsofacto." "As for that, M. le Cure, no one is likely to "Ah! my good archbishop, that's your tone, come just now. It's too hot; besides, it's just is it? And this is the way you receive your the time when every body takes a nap. Then, priests? This is the kind of rule to which your too, we never see priests here on a Saturday. beloved fellow-laborers are subjected? And How have you managed?" now be good enough, in your turn, to listen to "I shall be able to get back home to-night." me." "You look very red, M. Loubere." Then, producing from its receptacle, after "Yes, with the heat;" adding, with a sly tucking up his soutane, the flashing revolver, smile, "perhaps with a good glass of wine." he cocked it with a snap, and showing it to the "You always were pleased to be merry, sir." archbishop, observed quietly, "Always, my lad. Good-by till I see you'1You see the ultima ratio. Now you will again." have the goodness to sit down." The priest walked on in the shade, under the And,,taking another easy-chair which hapwall of the palace, ascended several outside pened'to be opposite, he continued, steps, entered a large hall, and prepared to "All resistance on your part will be useless. mount the staircase. Reaching the first floor, These doors, locked inside, separate you from he found an antechamber, the door of which any one who might chance to rush to your reswas half open: he entered, and fastened it in- cue. I told Florentin that I wanted to have a side, turning the key twice. Then, crossing the long conversation with you, and he has promgreat drawing-room, he took the precaution, as ised to let no one in. I learned from him that he passed out of it at the other end, to close every body had gone out. Your servants are in AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 127 their hall, or are having a sleep. You and I ished me to the mountains. I got on very well are alone. Do you hear me, sir?-quite alone!" with the rustics in the valley of Lys, and you As he said it, the hazel eye of the Pyreneean have driven me from there because you said I flashed ominously. was wanting in zeal, that my church was all in The archbishop had come to the conclusion disorder, and a lot more stuff of that kind. Now that the poor priest was affected in his brain, you threaten to march me back to L —, beand that he himself was face to face with a rav- cause it has been represented to you that I am ing madman. His position was eminently crit- too intimate with the mayor's family. Very ical. He tried to soothe his unbidden guest. good. Now I will tell you what I've done. I "Very well, my friend, let us have a little have paid my trifling debts there; I have just conversation. I shall be most happy. It was purchased a revolver, which has cost me ninety very wise of you to fasten the doors, as we shall francs-ninety francs, you understand. I have be less likely to be disturbed. But put away ten francs over, which I mean to leave on my that weapon, to which neither you nor I are ac- person for whoever will dig my grave. I have customed. Perhaps an unforeseen accident- come here with the deliberate purpose of ridin your excited state-which you might one day ding the clergy of a detestable tyrant like you, be sorry for..." and myself, at the same time, of life. Come, "Ah! just so. I'm your friend now, am I? monseigneur, are you ready to die? I amYou would like to have a chat with me, would quite." you? The most illustrious and most reverend These words, slowly uttered by that terribleLe Cricq, archbishop of T —, successor of his looking man, who had wonderfully recovered eminence Cardinal de Flammarens, is ready to his coolness, and who spoke with all the haughtcondescend to a confidential tete-a-tlte with a iness of a superior to a prince of the Church, poor mountain cure. Wonders will never froze up the blood of the wretched archbishop. cease!" "You tremble, do you? Then you are not "Just that; so we understand one another ready? Down oft your knees, sir, this instant!" thoroughly now, my friend. Well, what shall The archbishop did not stir, but murmured to we talk about? Ah! yes, of course. Your himself, "In manus tuas, Domine." parish-is it going on well? I suppose you left "Down on your knees, I tell you: not before it this morning." me, but before God." "Enough of that nonsense, monseigneur. I It would have been madness to hasten the have not taken this stern resolve to talk or hear fatal moment. The archbishop resigned himrubbish. I see from your tone that you are self, and, turning toward an exquisite ivory cruafraid, and you have good cause to be. Per- cifix in a recess, on a stand of black velvet, haps you thought that a feverish attack of mad- knelt in prayer. ness had impelled me to attack you. Reassure "May God forgive you, brother!" yourself on that point. I am no lunatic, like "Well, then, listen to me. You have neither Verges, who assassinated the unfortunate Sibour acted as a bishop nor as a man toward me. for having, against his conscience, proclaimed You have trodden me under your feet as dirt; the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. I you have torn savagely at your victim, like a have all my faculties about me as much as you, beast of prey. I mean to show you that I am except in so far as I am full of what has placed better than you are. Attend to what I am gous in this strange position. However, I have ing to say and do. I will spare your life. I resolved upon the course I shall take. The shall lock you in your study, and blow my head very first and faintest cry for help from you, and off in your great drawing-room. They'll rush you see this!" up stairs at the report, to find my brains scatAnd again he displayed his revolver. tered about over the furniture and walls; the "It has two barrels for you, and two for me weapon in my hand will be proof positive that -that's all." I have destroyed myself, and, in any case, you "Perhaps he's not mad, after all," said the would never be suspected. That's not the way archbishop to himself; "in that case, things in which bishop's murder; they take longer look alarming." about it. Meanwhile, monseigneur, this is on "Now listen to me," said Loubire. "Dur- one condition. Among all'the victims of your ing the very short time that you have been administration, there is one who is well worthy archbishop you have sent me to three parishes. of universal admiration. He is no desperado I have had nothing else to do but run up and like me; he would never say a harsh word down mountains and valleys, north and south, against his bishop. I know the disgraceful way in your diocese. In my parish of... I of- in which you have treated him.. A mutual fended the Countess of B —, who was pleased friend, by a happy accident, enlightened me on to imagine that I was not over head and ears in the whole matter. You had the impudence to love with the Jesuits. You deprived me of my abuse your position as bishop to try and compel charge, and degraded me by sending me as cu- him to give up his large fortune to the greedy rate to St. Bertrand. The brothers of the school maw of those charming children of Loyola. I there denounced me as not holding the Immac- know that he bravely asserted his rights, but he ulate Conception. You punished me with a is still threatened with your vengeance. I saw fortnight's retreat in the Seminary, and ban- him only a few days ago. He never mentioned 128 UNDER THE BAN. your Name but with the utmost respect, and, nected with an object which lies very near to though I told him that I knew every thing, I my heart. could not elicit from him a syllable of complaint "Excuse my troubling you in your pious reagainst you. I admired him for it, and secret- tirement. Pray for one who is ever lamenting ly vowed that I would avenge him. So now her deadness of soul and her sluggish progress swear to me before God and. this sculptured to perfection. Receive, etc., etc., Christ" (and he pointed to the crucifix) "that "COUNTESS OF —--." you will leave that excellent priest in peace; that you will no longer be the torment of that The man.brought back to his mistress a slip noble-hearted man; and, that solemn oath tak- of paper bearing the name of " M. Delpas, aden, I give you sufficient credit to believe that vocate, Rue du Musee," with a thousand thanks you will never break it, and on that understand- from the reverend father. ing grant you your life. You will owe it to the The countess had foreseen, with true woman's exemplary character of Julio de la Claviere, of wit, that it would never answer to expose Madwhom you have been the wanton and pitiless elette to the risk of a sudden cross-examination persecutor. Swear, now, in the presence of this at the trial, and that it would be wiser to have crucifix." her thoroughly instructed for her part. She had "Yes, I swear most solemnly," said the arch- already succeeded in persuading her that her bishop, trembling. "I pledge my word-in all vexation with Tournichon had perverted her sincerity." judgment, and that, there being no possible "Then rise, monseigneur; I trust your prom- doubt as to the wishes of Madame de la Claise, and I shall carry with me into another world viere, it was her duty to retract all she had said the comfort of having ended my life with a good in a moment of passion. We may remark in action." passing, that, thanks to the subtle equivocation And, hastening to the door, to which she had accustomed herself, this fine "Farewell, now, monseigneur; pray for him lady, while she was most undoubtedly deceiving who will be your victim. Possibly my blood the peasant, was deceiving herself as well, and will not have been shed in vain. Henceforth never imagined that she was for a moment inyou may perhaps be kinder to your poor clergy." fringing the law against false witness. Meanwhile, the conviction that the unhappy Thinking that it would be as well if Madelette man was bent on destroying himself brought saw the Jesuit counsel in order to get thoroughback something like consciousness to the heart ly accustomed to him, she took her in her carof the miserable archbishop, who up to that mo- riage to the address that had just been brought. ment had been more dead than alive. He was M. Delpas was perhaps, on the whole, the not altogether bad at the bottom, and this wild least eloquent and the least famous member of generosity on the part of the man who had spared the bar at T-. He was shrewder, however, the life of a prelate he detested for the sake of than any of his brethren, and had the most reentailing on him a promise to be merciful to his liable practice of any. In choosing his profespriest, touched him deeply. sion, he felt that he required considerable influWith a resolve sudden as lightning, he de- ence to push him forward among a host of comtermined to try and save him. As he was still a peers, some of whom were rendered conspicuous hale old man, he hurried after him, and so far by the possession of a name already famous, succeeded in overtaking him as to prevent him and others by extraordinary talent, which alfrom shutting the drawing-room door. ways commands success. Sly as a fox, and' "Leave me, monseigneur! leave me! leave ready as a monkey at contrivances, he was cunme, monseigneur!" he shrieked out, wildly, as ning enough to throw himself into the arms of he tried to aim the barrel of the revolver at his the Jesuits at the very outset of his career, beown forehead. fore even he had held his first brief. At the Alas! he was too successful. The archbish- same time, as a natural consequence, he was adop, in despair, saw the unfortunate man fall at mitted into the Society of St.Vincent de Paul, his feet, bathed in blood. a powerful fraternity at T —, with large resources at their command. ~ -— 4~ —-He had exhibited on every occasion, and under every possible circumstance, an unbounded CHAPTER XI. devotion to the Jesuits. Indeed, he was a species of juvenile saint, and had been, when at NECESSARY PRELIMINARIES IN A LAWSUIT. college, a "Chevalier de Marie." Such highly A SERVANT in state livery knocked at the en- creditable antecedents led the holy fathers to trance of the Maison de l'Inquisition, and asked cry him up warmly as a model young man. to see Father Boniface. He was the bearer of "Look at Delpas," the would say, "ho wel the following note:he has got on!" And they did more than this; for, three or "REVEREND FATHER, —I should be very four years after his entrance at the bar, they much obliged if you would send me, by the procured him a rich wife, in this wise: bearer, the name of your advocate in the pend- The Provincial put on his hat and paid an ing trial. I want it for private purposes con- afternoon visit to the lady superior of the Con AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 129 vent of the Sacre-Ceur, at whose establishment brought in contact with the judges employed in all the young ladies of the upper classes were the case. educated. So every thing was in train as regarded this "Mother," he said, "allow me to give you important business. The Star of Languedoca hint with reference to something I should be a sheet inspired by the Catholic Atlas, and seglad if you would do for me. The fact is, I cured by the Jesuits and the clerical party in want a young heiress. She must be very pious the interests of the temporal power in the South and very rich, and, if possible, of an influential -duly instructed the public to the effect that family. As for beauty-well, we won't be un- the coming action was but an outburst of Libreasonable on that score. I have the finest eralism; a revolutionary attack upon a veneryoung fellow in T- ready for her-a perfect able order, distinguished by the most unremitsaint-the advocate Delpas, one of our sons, and ting devotion to the sovereign pontiff. It faramong our most devoted friends, a man on whom ther had the audacity to insinuate that the revyou and I can confidently reckon." olutionary agents had got hold of an accomplice The behest was obeyed, and M. Delpas's mat- in the lawsuit-a miserable priest, not overgiftrimonial felicity secured. Ten months after he ed with intelligence, and unhappily notorious at married Eleonore Bertal, the only daughter of a T — for a wild pamphlet, and still wilder utformer chief justice in the Imperial Court-a terances from time to time, who, however, had young lady with a very unhandsome face, but a escaped, from a false leniency, the chastisement very handsome fortune, and who became after- he so richly merited. ward the most intriguing and dangerous woman Since the affair of Leotade, no lawsuit had so in T-. The precious pair had been formed much engrossed public opinion in the South as by the Jesuits; a reverend father had blessed the present action of La Claviere vs. Tournitheir union; and, thanks to the promised sup- chon. The whole country round was full of it port of the society, the influence of his father- -so strong was the feeling here for, there in-law, who hoped to close, as a good Christian, against, the Jesuits. the life he had devoted to the pleasures of the A week before it came on, it formed the one world-thanks, also, to the ceaseless activity of subject of conversation at social gatherings. his wife-the barrister found himself rapidly The public, the Liberal citizens, the professors, pushed to the front, and in the enjoyment of a the bar, and artists generally, were, to a man, considerable practice. with Julio. Even the magistrates, cautious and To tell the truth, his addresses were heavy, reserved though they naturally were, could not his delivery unendurable, and his style rambling disguise their sympathy for the orphans. Meanand tedious; but then he had a clever way of while, the aristocracy, the convents, the bigots complicating matters, tormenting the bench, and of the various parishes, the ecclesiastical dignisetting himself up as an advocate whose catho- taries, the ambitious, and the fanatical among lie conscience was so sensitive that nothing in the inferior clergy, backed the Jesuits. the world would ever induce him to undertake Julio was most unwilling to appear before a a case of the justice of which he was not fully civil tribunal, still more so that Louise should convinced. In a word, he managed so cleverly have to do the same. So he arranged with that the plain straightforward judges were ut- Verdelon that they should both return to St. terly outwitted by this juggler of the first water, Aventin, neither of them being in a position to and almost invariably settled the matter by giv- further, in any appreciable way, the cause about ing him his case. He seldom showed himself to be tried. in the criminal courts, where the forensic elo- Verdelon had carefully subpoenaed the cure quence required was rather beyond his mark; of La Claviere, an indispensable witness in case but in civil cases he was in great request. Madelette refused to give detailed evidence Madelette, seated by the side of a real live against the Jesuits; in addition to which, he countess, in a real live countess's carriage, was had had another interview with the old servant, fairly unhinged in her upper story by such a high who had promised to tell the whole truth when distinction. The lady herself, as soon as she the time came. had set her down at the advocate's office, returned home. She had done her part; M. Del — pas did his; and Madelette took her leave, after a brief conversation, fully persuaded that in re- CHAPTER XII. tracting all she had said to Verdelon, she was but following the dictates of her conscience.E TRIAL According to an old custom not yet rooted THE trial was appointed to come off on Monout of the provinces, it is quite an allowable day, September 6th, 1860. On that day the apthing to tamper with justice. Tournichon, the preaches to the court-house were thronged with only person who appeared in the matter, took people seeking admission. The importance of full advantage of the privilege; while the Jes- the point at issue was evident to all-" If the uits, who were most careful not to compromise will were canceled, what a blow it would be to themselves in the least degree, availed them-the Jesuits!" Therealquestionwasnot a matselves of their influence with those of their pen- ter of some five or six thousand francs, more or itents who had any chance whatever of being less, passing into the hands of the company, I 130 UNDER THE BAN. but the condign punishment of an unprincipled ence of the civilized world, or whether it was to spoliation. be held innocent on that charge. The interests of Julio and Louise were rep- Verdelon's address was crushing to the Jesuresented by Verdelon. Even the largest coun- it cause. He showed up Tournichon as a spetry towns are little better than villages in one cies of fag, who had arrived at a moderate comrespect. Every thing that's going on is known petence by his practice of acting as a go-beto and related by every body. Gossip is noth- tween in transactions similar to that under coning short of a positive epidemic. In spite of sideration; a man of most ordinary attainthe secrecy which Verdelon and Louise had ments, whom the Jesuits had secured as a clevmaintained with reference to their mutual at- er jackal in the acquisition of properties. They tachment, it was generally understood that the had for the last ten years been forciig him upon advocate -whose professional reputation was the society of Madame de la Claviere, a lady very high-was pleading, in this particular case, who saw very little of the world, on the influenfor the girl he loved; hence there was a sort of tial recommendation of Father Briffard, her conromantic interest in his success. The general fessor. There was no old friendship, no family belief was that the orator would excel himself, tie to account for his all but daily visits to her and that his heart-that great master of elo- house during the whole of that period. Who quence-would supply his most burning aspira- could doubt, therefore, that some powerful intions. terest must have been at work to allure him The young men of T — had not forgotten from his family night after night, and from the Julio's preaching. They came to the court- society of those of his own position and age, to house from that sympathy with liberty, honesty, play cards with an invalid lady who conversed and love, which would have taken them any very little, and had none of those amusements where where these or any one of these interests to offer which business men require after a hard were at stake. Especially were they allured by day's work? their hatred to the Jesuits, in their judgment Then he called Madelette forward-a more the worst of transgressors, the inexorable plot- than simple woman, who had left her mountain ters, forever arresting the progress of modern home when she was quite a child, and had been development in the direction of social ameliora- in no other situation besides that at Madame de tion or public good. la Claviere's. The Jesuits had hoped, he said, So the interior of the hall was the theatre of by the unremitting perseverance of Father Brifa vast throng in wild dispute. Two worlds fard, to obtain a will in Tournichon's favor. were present-the one impassioned and impla- The old lady, however, with all her weakness cable, bent, for generations back, on the bloody of character, was devotedly fond of Louise and task of avenging the crime of heresy, and lashed Julio, to both of whom she had been a second to the utmost impatience in its impotent wrath mother, so that at any moment, and especially by painful experience of its powerlessness; the in the prospect of death, she might very possiother smiling at the future, and inflicting on the bly revert to her old will, yield to the dictates worshipers of the past the unendurable chastise- of nature, and leave her nephew and niece the ment of compelling them to see *rowing up un- property, which she felt she had no right to beder their eyes, day by day, that modern civiliza- stow upon its present claimants. That this tion which is the object of their most persistent supposition was accurate the evidence went to anathemas. prove; and Verdelon, detailing what had transThe representatives of the former class in the pired at the interview between Madelette, himexcited throng were old Tournichon, M. Delpas, self, and the cure of La Claviere, an unimpeachand Madelette. Behind them was a packed able witness, exhibited the former as exaspercrowd, collected by the Jesuits, and prepared to ated beyond measure at her petty remuneration, support frantic applause to any amount at every and divulging the attempts which had been available occasion. made to urge her, above all things, to watch her Auguste Verdelon as advocate; and the cure mistress as her last moments, with their probaof La Claviere as witness, represented the other ble remorse of conscience, drew on. side. They came to ask that justice might be Then he referred to Tournichon's antecedone to two orphans, and to unveil to Europe a dents, and to Madelette's avowals that a plot system of spoliation practiced by an order whose had been carried on by Father Briffard for the ambition was utterly beyond the reach of law. last ten years; that Briffard had clamored for And they had with them the sympathies of the the legacy in Tournichon's name; that Madame numerous Liberals who were present that day, de la Claviere had been on the point of alexpecting an act of justice, and a bold flagella- tering her decision in favor of those "poor chiltion of those who had dared to trample on the dren," as she called them; and that it was by rights of property. Madelette's influence, combined with that of Whatever might be the importance of the Tournichon, who had threatened the terrors of verdict to those immediately concerned, it as- hell if she continued obstinate, that the old lady sumed colossal interest when its possible results had sent away the notary whom she had sumwere taken into consideration. The point at moned to draw up a new will. issue was whether an entire religious order was Warming with his subject, Verdelon quitted to be convicted of a disgraceful act in the pres- the details of the case to glance at those general AT LAW WITH THE JESUITS. 131 questions involved in it. He described the Jes- attack with tolerable ingenuity, characterizing uits as pursuing a similar policy for their own it as a malignant tale got up to support a hopeaggrandizement in all the towns of France; ter- less cause. He declared that the will had been rifying weak women by religious influences, and made by Madame de la Claviere with the.bond plundering them of whatever money they had fide intention of recompensing an old friend at their disposal, as well as of their trinkets and with whom she had been on intimate terms for diamonds, describing them as so many vanities ten years. He showed that a genuine attachwith which they would do well to part. He ment had sprung up between the two on the drew a picture of Father Candal making a tri- ground of their similarity of opinions, and the urnphant progress through France, and exposing fact that the will was only two years old in no in aristocratic drawing-rooms costly parures, val- way interfered with his hypothesis, as would be uable necklaces, and jewelry of every sort which seen by referring to the date of its provisions. he had extorted by his eloquence from the chil- The court must bear in mind the occurrence of dren of fashion. Proceeding in his revelations, the publication of the posthumous opinions of he touched upon facts incredible in the nine- Cardinal de Flammarens, as well as certain serteenth century, of a Jesuit allowing himself to mons preached at that time, and which had be raffled for-that is, engaging himself to be excited a profound sensation in the religious for so many days at the beck and call of what- world; then let them assume, if they could, that ever lady drew the highest number in the lot- there was any thing extraordinary in Madame tery. The newspapers had been full of the par- de la Claviere's leaving her fortune to one whose ticulars, and their accuracy, he said, was unim- sentiments so entirely coincided with her own, peachable. The tickets, dispensable to ladies in preference to a relative whose heretical opinonlv, were priced at one hundred francs apiece; ions and teachings had so painfully embittered and the novel transaction in question had actu- the last years of her life. As for Madelette, in ally occurred in Paris, among the ultramontane a hasty moment of unreasonable covetousness, section of the female community. He quoted she had suffered herself to be out of temper with the towns of Marseilles, Lyons, Poitiers, with M. Tournichon; but he was prepared to state many others, as having witnessed similar trans- that her ill humor was of the most transient deactions, of which all France had been cognizant, scription, and that she was ready to come forand which the secular clergy had bitterly, though ward that day in open court to retract in toto secretly resented, being compelled to hold their what she had said under the influence of a fit tongues in the presence of their all-powerful of passion she much regretted. rulers. This announcement on the part of the Jesuit The entire address excited general admira- advocate came like a thunderclap on the ears of tion, and was repeatedly interrupted by bursts those present, and excited the liveliest curiosity. of applause, in spite of the threat Qf the presi- The two pleaders having engrossed the entire dent that he would clear the court. duration of one sitting, the examination of witM. Delpas, on the other hand, confident of nesses was adjourned to the following day. Madelette's retractation, replied to the withering 132 UNDER THE BAN. PART V. A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, CHAPTER I. gratulate them. Enthusiastic devotees burnt whole warehouses of wax candles in their oraA DISAPPOINTED LOVE. tories. Sacristy, convent, monastery, all agreed MADELETTE, who reckoned on possessing her- to regard the issue as a miraculous interposition self of the bribe which the countess had offered of the Immaculate Virgin to reward her faithful her, but which she was not to touch till after the servants. Novenas had been held in her honor trial was over, played her part to perfection. She through the whole town; and it was on the ninth denied none of the expressions imputed to her day, at the exact moment of their termination, as having been uttered in the presence of the that the judgment of the court was pronounced. cure of La Claviere, but declared that she was None but infidels could question the meaning in a fit of passion at the time, and said whatever of so striking a coincidence. came uppermost. Having returned to a proper The religious world came in troops to visit state of feeling, she felt bound to tell the truth, the Provincial, or sent cards in shoals. The which was, that the Jesuit fathers had nothing archbishop, radiant with triumph, and accomon earth to do with the will. panied by the Abbe Gaguel, was among the To the various questions, and even threats of earliest arrivals. The ultramontane journals the president, who, accustomed to such denials, of Paris and the provinces teemed with details, subjected her to a strict cross-examination, she and announced, in most startling type, the conhad but one reply, "I have told you all I know, fusion that had overtaken the enemies of the M. le President. I have nothing more to say." saintly Jesuits. The deposition of the cure of La Claviere was Meanwhile Verdelon had made sure of sucvery important. It fully confirmed what Ver- cess. As far as his magnificent oration was delon had said, and brought up a host of con- concerned, he was not disappointed; but he had tingent circumstances, all tending to elucidate lost the day. He was one who combined, with the question at issue. the brilliance of an orator, a most accurate perWhereupon Verdelon rose again, and showed ception of facts. He never for a moment disthat the retractation of Madelette was, to say the guised from himself the ascendency which the least of it, suspicious, after the language she had Jesuits had managed to acquire in the town, used in a fit of disappointed avarice-language or the slight prospect of gaining by any farwhich the cure's evidence had most faithfully ther proceedings. However, in writing to Julio detailed. to communicate the disastrous occurrence, he The case for the prosecution and defense be- pledged himself to appeal at once- less in the ing now closed, the president proceeded to sum hope of securing a reversal of the judgment by up. He began by saying that, in point of law, a higher court than in a spirit of defiance, and the wishes of the testatrix were to be assumed from a desire not to appear to give way before as being expressed in the will. That it was out his powerful opponents. of the question that casual expressions, let slip To which Julio replied that not only did he by a servant in the heat of passion, should weigh mean to make the appeal, but, farther than that, with impartial magistrates; that it was their to prosecute it vigorously; that, as far as he business to decide on the document itself, drawn was concerned, it was less a matter of personal up in legal form, and dictated by the testatrix interest or feeling-important though it was to when she was in full possession of all her facul- his beloved Louise- than of positive duty to ties. fight it out to the last with his persecutors, and The court, having retired to deliberate, re- expose them to the civilized world. He also turned, after a brief absence, and gave judgment, told his friend that he was about to publish imrejecting the evidence adduced by the prosecu- mediately a pamphlet against the Jesuits; and tion as to an act of spoliation having been per- that, should he fail to gain his suit in a court petrated, through the agency of an intermediate of law, he would, at all events, triumph in that quasi-trustee, and maintaining M. Tournichon of public opinion —to him the main end which in full possession of the property. he had in view. The surprise which this verdict created was His intentions were speedily known at T —. indescribable. Verdelon was thunderstruck. The disclosures at the new trial, it was reportThe Jesuits in T — hailed the intelligence ed, would surpass those just made, and the Jeswith frantic enthusiasm. They celebrated mass- uits would again be lashed by Verdelon more es in their chapel in token of gratitude. The severely than ever. Once more anxiety set in entire aristocracy of the town poured in to con- among the partisans of the reverend fathers, A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 133 and with it fresh novenas and plots to carry out CHAPTER II. the purpose of their celebration. On receiving the distressing-news of the re- DAING SCHEME OF THE COUNTESS OF ****. cent verdict, Julio endeavored to break it to THE great skill of the Jesuits consists in the Louise as tenderly as possible. He exaggerated tact with which they form for themselves an inthe prospects of the appeal, and the effect of the fluential party in the world. Of all the religdistribution of his pamphlet among the mem- ious orders-and they are not to be blamed for bers of the imperial court, all which consolato- it - they are the least fond of recommending ry assurances she appeared to receive; but the young ladies to convents, especially when they blow had gone home to her heart, and she knew are wealthy, well born, fair, or clever. To preit. Shutting herself up in her little room, she side at their marriage, to turn them into patronentreated to be allowed to seek relief in tears, esses of the society, to see them mothers of a in the prospect of calamities the advent of which rising race, whose education would one day be she had long foreseen. intrusted to their care, is, they think, infiniteClever as Verdelon was, he had not succeed- ly preferable to sending them to the cloister to ed in deceiving her. His letters, fewer and sing psalms in an unknown tongue. And if it shorter as the time wore on, told of a waning be urged that Father Briffard had wanted to love, which it needed only this fatal decision to make Louise a nun, it must be remembered that extinguish altogether. Such was Louise's full his object was to get her out of the way of his conviction, and women are quick at divining schemes with reference to her fortune. how matters stand. Soon the only token of This is not the view, however, taken by the his existence was an occasional epistle, the word- other religious orders. A Carmelite thinks that ing of which was embarrassed and reserved. he has, indeed, deserved well, first of St. ThereAt length Louise replied with dignity that she sa and afterward of God, when he has succeedunderstood every thing. He made no attempt ed in decoying into his pit a young girl whose to justify himself. The correspondence was al- prospects in the world would have been brilliant most at an end, only there remained over, from and distinguished. To have infected her with its ruins, a bleeding heart. his own fanaticism-to have persuaded her that She tried to lavish on her brother the affc- by substituting the unwholesome discipline of tion which her faithless lover had profaned. the scourge for the luxuries and refinement of At first, in the hope of diverting her thoughts, modern life, she would become an expiating and avoiding the bitter memories which solitude victim for human guilt, and experience, in reinvariably fostered, she courted Julio's society turn for the domestic and social enjoyments she more than ever. True, a brother's love was had relinquished, the seraphic ecstasies of mednot exactly a substitute for what she had lost; itation, the delight of a soul daily more and still, after the heartless treachery she had expe- more disenthralled from a daily weakening rienced, his tender, thoughtful friendship could body, the protecting influences of cloistered scarcely fail to prove a welcome and grateful paths of sanctity, with all the unutterable desolace. lights which the uninitiated can neither enjoy And she felt by slow degrees its healing in- nor even imagine-to have persuaded a young fluences. If she could not altogether succeed girl, we say, who knows nothing of herself or in banishing Verdelon from her thoughts, she the world, of the reality of all this, is deemed brought herself to appreciate the treasure she by a monk a great and glorious achievement. still possessed in the devoted attachment of one He never suspects for a moment that, in pursuwho clung to her with a most tenacious affection. ing an ideal such as Theresa of Avila and Mary All said and done, she was neither a child nor Alacoque, he is precipitating a mind into a spea sentimental woman. She came to the wise cies of madness-we may call it a real madness conclusion that time would heal the wound; — for mysticism in its highest developments and when once a cure is admitted to be possi- is nothing else. Just as love unregulated by ble in such cases, it is more than half effected. moral restrictions, modesty, and prudence, beJulio watched the issue of the relation be- comes a hateful passion, even so that noble and tween his sister and his friend with anxious in- glorious impulse which urges souls to seek after terest. She never made any allusion herself to God, and to love Him, becomes, under the maits sorrowful termination, partly from regard nipulation of these foolish fathers, a misguided for his feelings, partly from shame of her own. infatuation, the true character and tendencies Meanwhile, the sufferings she had been called of which are often but little suspected. Hence, to endure quietly overshadowed the gladness of undoubtedly, those terrible struggles with evil her spirit and buried her in deep dejection. spirits in the lives of the saints; above all, of Julio felt the charm of her pensive grief, and the most ecstatic of the class, detailed by their comforted himself with the thought that it would biographers in such burning language. Nature be his to rest her aching head, and stay the andreason, outraged alikeby an extravagant sysanguish of her all but broken heart. tem of austerity, revenge themselves by charging the imagination with hideous visions, and exciting in the emaciated frame a craving for -- - -the world that has been renounced. The pious historians of these calamitous experiences-ex 134 UNDER THE BAN. periences unknown to those who dedicate their To have made use of the countess to purchase lives to earnest service in works of charity- Madelette's silence without suggesting to her, give the devil, most unfairly, the whole credit for a moment, the course she was to take, was of them, without seeing that the true cxplana- a masterpiece of policy. The society had in no tion lies in the foolish disturbance of that healthy way been compromised, nor its strong box apequilibrium which ought always to subsist be- plied to for the purpose. The whole affair had tween body and mind. And then, fools and been a clear gain. Only the worthy fathers had blockheads that they are, after having roused overlooked the peril which might arise to them these young girls in the flower of their youth to from starting in paths of her own adoption that the highest pitch of fanatical excitement, and vehement disposition of the countess which they stuck them on what they are pleased to call the had such trouble in managing; they had formystic summit, they clap their hands at the gotten that, in the intoxication of success, she idiot spectacle as though they had done a very would not be very likely to submit to the comfine thing! plete reimposition of the yoke, and that her exWe may not stop to inquire whether govern- cessive zeal might possibly prove dangerous. ment, according to modern views of right and When will the Jesuits ever succeed in making justice, ought not, in the discharge of its duty, women understand their motto, "'tanquam ac to exercise surveillance over monasteries and cadaver?" nunneries, where the carrying out of a barbar- The truth was, that the countess was so abous system of discipline results in physical and sorbed in the La Claviere matter that the whole moral suicide. In a day when mysticism in its thing had become with her a species of monowildest form is constantly developing itself, the mania. The Jesuits must succeed. She had question becomes a very serious one, too serious saved them once; couldn't she do it again? for for us to discuss. there was no disguising the fact that the appeal Religious freedom is, of all, the most sacred, might prosper. True, the religious world had but license to destroy one's self mentally, moral- been wild with delight at the recent verdict; but ly, and physically is not religious liberty, nor has then it was to be remembered that the opposites it any right to the name, nor would the freedom had been proportionately disgusted, and were of the Catholic Church be in the least degree talking loudly of their hopes from the appeal. impaired were government to put a quiet extin- Julio's pamphlet, they said, would disclose facts guisher on the whole race of religious orders. which, had they been produced as evidence at It becomes an interesting question for reflection the late trial, would materially have affected the whether permitting the erection of these gloomy minds of the judges. In any case, the inconestablishments, over which not the least outside testable talent of the author would insure to his supervision is maintained, is not tantamount to treatise a weighty moral influence. It was rucountenancing most deplorable excesses. mored, moreover, that Verdelon was prepared to But, to return to our starting assertion, Jes- make some terrible revelations against the Jesuits don't like convents. The highest order of uits, and that other prosecutions of a similar spirituality is a very second-rate article in their kind would be the result. At all events, whethjudgment. They regard the top of the hill of er they gained or lost, the influence of the Jesmysticism as a great deal too elevated above the uits must inevitably suffer. Some, indeed, went level of the sea. Ladies in society, puffing and on to speak of more serious measures, including extolling them, are far more useful to their pur- even the suppression of their college. poses than if they were buried in the recesses of These various rumors, exaggerated though the cloister, indulging in the luxury of the peni- they evidently were, drove the countess to detential cat-o'-nine-tails. spair. She was not altogether free from perFor women are enthusiasts. Their nature sonal apprehension in the matter. Supposing leads them to carry their heart on their sleeve. Madelette divulged what had passed between From the moment, therefore, that any of them them-certainly this was scarcely probable, as took to the Jesuits, they felt constrained irre- she had not yet got hold of the promised bribe. sistibly to praise them up to the skies, and to But then those horrid Liberals were up to any persuade their husbands to send their children thing. Nothing easier than for them to work to Jesuit schools. The impulse is innate with upon her, and worm out of her the origin of tie them-it is, in point of fact, a species of propel- retractation -giving more, perhaps, to set her ling force which the holy fathers manage deli- tongue loose than she had given to chain it. cately to adjust to their purposes, and sometimes Freemasonry, she was certain, would settle the as delicately to restrain. whole affair. Doubtless that wretched Julio So it is necessary to be guarded in directing was a mason, in spite of the threats launched into a proper channel all these female outgoings, against any who might venture to belong to such of which prudence is by no means the character- a body. To stop this appeal in some way or istic feature, and which by themselves might other was the only method of saving the Jesuits prove dangerous. The task is difficult, and the from their enemies, and so promoting the glory most astute make mistakes at times. There is of God. in them too much impulsiveness not to over- But how accomplish so desirable an end? throw occasionally the most accurate calcula- However wanting in intellect a woman may tions. be, she is ready enough at devising the plot of A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 135 a romance. The countess, after having reflect- having reached a nook in the rocks, hung with ed a little while, hit upon one, not, indeed, to most brilliant foliage, and sheltered by a cluster be written and printed, but to be acted out. of pines from the piercing sunlight, the countess She arranged her characters, distributed their seated herself, and drew Louise to her side. various functions, assigned her own, and arrived Then, breaking the silence which she had preat the conclusion that, if the whole thing were served after the first greetings had been exproperly played out, success was certain. changed, she said, Meanwhile there was no time to lose. The "Mademoiselle, I have not had the pleasure time was close at hand when the case would of meeting you often before, but you have alcome on for hearing before the Imperial Court. ways inspired me with- peculiar interest." The Jesuits had been duly informed by their "I am very much obliged to you, madam." spies that Julio's printer was expecting the man- "That interest arises undoubtedly from your uscript of the forthcoming treatise every day. charming qualities, and especially from your piA bookseller at T- had speculated in its pur- ety. I know that it was your intention to rechase, estimating that the pamphlet would have nounce the position which your birth, beauty, an enormous sale, and be circulated over the and prospects held out to you, and enter the whole of France. convent of the Sacrd-Cceur. A noble idea that Julio was in the habit of visiting his sick ev- -to dedicate yourself, with your talents and ery week. His presence and gentle words were superior intelligence, to the teaching of the a comfort to the sufferers. The very sound of young! I admire your courage." his voice assuaged their pain; and often he was Louise blushed at the thought how far the most successful in the medical hints he gave idea was from her mind, and began to feel unthem, so much so that his cures were, in many comfortable at the good lady's eulogiums. instances, regarded as miracles; and had he had " I have felt, my child," continued the countthe fancy to be esteemed a wonder-worker, he ess, in her most bewitching tones, "that this would have had no difficulty in gratifying his affection for you to which I have referred entitaste. ties me to interest myself in a matter of great On one of these Thursdays, a little country moment affecting your brother and yourself:" girl, a stranger at St.Aventin, knocked at the The good sense of Louise, and an instinctive presbytery door and asked to see Mademoiselle suspicion, put her on her guard against the flatde la Claviere. Martha having shown her in, teries that were being heaped upon her. The she handed Louise a small note. speaker's tone of voice didn't appear altogether "MADEMOISELLE, -An old friend of yo atural. And yet she reproached herself for her passing thoughts, and for the rather cold mother and aunt has a most important commu- her passin thoughts, and for the rather cold nication to make to you in your interest, and tone in which she answered, especially your brother's. If you would have I am prepared to listen to any thing you the kindness to go to the little chapel, you will have to say, madam. May I ask to what you there meet the writer of this note, who has rea-are referring?" sons of her own for not calling at the presbytery But the countess hadn't done with her preherself. An hour's conversation will be suffi- liminaries yet. Finding that she had to some cient. Pray come at once, as time is precious.' extent missed her mark with the young lady, she tried another plan, which she had reserved This letter surprised Louise very much, and for use, if necessary. her first impulse was to refuse the request it "Dear Louise-let me call you by that facontained. She proceeded to examine it close- miliar name -I knew and loved your mother, ly, and discovered that it had come from a lady, and hence my chief reason for loving you." as the penmanship was good and the spelling This reference to the memory of a parent faultless. The note, too, had been written on who had been dead fifteen years, but whom satin paper, scented-a mark of the aristocratic Louise perfectly remembered, was not thrown tastes of its author. Most probably it was some away. She was visibly affected, and, looking lady of position from T-, who wanted to at the countess with tears in her eyes, replied, speak to her. So, after some hesitation, she de- "Then you were my mother's friend, madam, cided to go. and are disposed to transfer your affection on Arriving at the chapel, she found a person to me. This is truly kind. I thank you very very simply dressed on her knees before a Ma- much." donna. She seemed to be praying earnestly. And she pressed the countess's hand warmNot knowing whether she was the one whom ly. The ice was now broken, and the diploshe expected, she made a slight noise behind matist, retaining Louise's hand in hers, reher. The lady turned her head round, and sumed, Louise recognized the countess, whom she had "Yes, my child, I was deeply attached to occasionally seen at her aunt's. From that mo- your mother, who put great confidence in me; ment all her apprehensions vanished. She and though, in consequence of the secluded life bowed to the altar, and, after a short prayer, that your aunt led, I had few opportunities of they left the chapel together. Quitting the meeting you, I still remember you with much road, which was any thing but private at that interest. I saw with delight that you were all time of day, they chose a mountain path, and, your mother could have wished had she lived. 136 UNDER THE BAN. Your poor mother! How young she was when the matter which immediately presses: it conshe died! and the physicians could not account cerns your brother. I tell you frankly, Louise, for her death either; there must have been at the risk of hurting your feelings, that I can some secret sorrow at the bottom of it." not work myself into a very lively interest in Louise, becoming more and more affected by him. The enemies of the Church, and the rethese allusions, felt all her antipathies vanish. ligious orders which the Church sanctions, are The countess saw the advantage she had gain- mine as well; I have no others. But, out of ed, and secretly chuckled. regard for you, and in order to prevent a fright"It is only out of love to you, Louise, that I ful scandal, I am willing to give him a helping interest myself in one for whom I know you hand. Time presses, my child; if the notice have a strong affection, and who is at this mo- of appeal is not withdrawn in two days, as well ment in real danger." as the forthcoming publication, your brother "My brother Julio?" cried she. will be interdicted by the archbishop. You "Yes, dear Louise, M. l'Abbe Julio. You know he has been threatened with this penalty know he engaged in a most iniquitous lawsuit before. Well, then, what would you say if I against the Jesuits, represented by M. Tour- told you that the letter intimating what is in nichon." store for him is already written and signed?" " Not iniquitous, madam. We are quite cer- Louise was dissolved in tears. She was still tain that M. Tournichon is not my aunt's real too much trammeled by a training which Michheir." elet characterizes so cleverly as a Byzantic ed"What, Louise?-for I must speak frankly ucation not to regard an interdict as the most to the daughter of my old friend —when your disgraceful punishment that could be imagined. aunt had cherished the idea of giving her prop- Then, too, she had indulged in dreams in which erty to the Jesuits, ought not her wish to have pride and affection combined: her brother, so been held sacred by you?" pre-eminent in talent, so far superior to the av-'"Most certainly, madam, had not we been erage of priests, must necessarily reach the highboth of us convinced that her mind had been est dignities of the Church. And now, instead perverted in the weakness of old age. My aunt of these brilliant prospects, she saw opening berepented at the last moment of having yielded fore them quite a different path of humiliation to an influence from which she had not had the and disgrace. power to escape. Since I have been here I "There is something still worse behind," have consulted my memory, and some memo- said the countess, who had been silent for some randa which I had made from time to time; all minutes. that we could collect has been remitted to M. Verdelon (her voice shook as she pronounced his name, which the countess remarked with a smile). He has thus been put on a track which CHAPTER III. must end in the clearing up of this matter, and THE PRIVILEGES OF THE JESUITS. secure success for the appeal, of which we have given due notice." LOUISE raised her head. "Listen to me, Louise. I solemnly assure "And what more serious can there be, madyou, before God, that your aunt never intended am?" to leave her fortune to your brother. You can "An interdict, you may possibly be aware, not but be aware how pained she was at his does not cut off a priest from the Church. It views and teachings. She must have let you is a chastisement inflicted on him by ecclesiassee that frequently." tical authority. The offender, however, still be"Quite true, madam; but I know now the longs to the Christian family. But there is yet persistent malice with which his character was a severer punishment, rarely administered in misrepresented in her presence, and his opinions these days, which at present threatens your caricatured. Yet, for all that, my aunt was de- brother." votedly fond of him; she thought him mistak- "Gracious heaven, madam!" cried Louise, en, but she did full justice to the purity of his "speak! What is the matter! What more intentions. Moreover, madam, even taking your terrible can be in store for him than suspension view of the case, she could not have had the from his priestly office? I implore you, explain same feelings with reference to me; still, she yourself. What is this fearful punishment treated me in the same way; so I conclude that which threatens my beloved Julio?" it wasn't my brother's doctrines that led to his "Major excommunication," said the countbeing disinherited." ess, in a low voice, and as though she shudder"But, my dear Louise, the modest allowance ed at what she was saying. which your mother has left you, inadequate Those fearful words, "major excommunicathough it would be to set you up in the world, tion," sounded in the ears of Louise like a peal would be amply sufficient for you if you adopt- of thunder. She grew very pale. Her ignoed the cloister life. Your aunt added her an- rance of theological matters prevented her from nuity to that, and she must have been as con- seeing the absurdity and impossibility of the vinced as I am now that you really meant'to countess's statement. enter the convent. But let it pass; that is not "Excommunication!" she exclaimed. "But, A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 137 madam, to be excommunicated you must have should ever be taken from them. Should such committed some grave offense." an event occur, the general might re-establish "To be opposed to the edicts and constitu- himself and the society in all their previous tions of the sovereign pontiffs is criminal in any rights at any subsequent period. So you see Catholic, much more so in a priest." that, in opposing the Jesuits in a temporal mat"And in what is my brother opposed to the ter, you oppose the papacy itself. This is where edicts of the sovereign pontiffs?" your brother is specially affected, and you too, "Your religious education, like that of most if you do not yield to good advice. Then there young ladies, has been dreadfully neglected, my is major excommunication- pronounced, ipso dear child," said the countess, who, having read facto, against any king, prince, or minister who a few theological books of the most extravagant should in any way tax or rob the society. Of style, had founded on the doctrine she had ex- course, under the present unfortunate civil adtracted from them a little romance she was now ministration of France, this right could not be enacting. "Let me informyou that the second asserted, but it exists for all that; and those fundamental principle in the constitution of the who occasion any injury to the society, who Jesuits is that the papal sovereignty in the spir- dare to retain what belongs to it, who attack its itual and temporal order, according to the doc- principles, or impugn the conduct of its memtrine of true Catholics, has communicated its bers, come under the penalties of that rite. absolute power to the company in the person of Now your brother, wishing to upset your aunt's the general, for the preservation and advance- will, on the supposition-a perfectly correct one ment of the temporal and spiritual good of so- -that the Jesuits, and not M. Tournichon, are ciety. You see from that, dear Louise, that the her heirs, attacks their property, and, by writing general is an infallible judge in whatever con- a pamphlet against them, their character. You cerns the spiritual or temporal interest of his understand, my dear child, if the civil law-a order; also that the Pope is the same for what- mere heathen enactment-did not arrest him ever relates to the temporal or spiritual inter- -even if it condemned the Jesuits-spiritual ests of the papacy." law would overtake the faithless and dishonest Louise had never considered these questions, priest, first in the form of interdiction, and then though she had been brought up at the Sacre- of major excommunication. The sentence has Cceur in ideas of the most extravagant Ultra- arrived from Rome; the Provincial will forward montanism. Her good, sound sense, and the it to the archbishop in two days, who will then sentiments she had heard from her brother, be obliged to promulgate it." cleared her mind in some degree; but the light "In two days!" exclaimed Louise, completewas only feeble. It required time to obliterate ly bewildered by the theological lore with which first impressions; and Louise, in spite of her the countess had overwhelmed her. better thoughts, had been obliged to ask her- "In two days," said the countess, very deself, from time to time, whether her brother was liberately, "the sentence-the orders are posijustified in differing from such illustrious an- tive-will be announced, and affixed to the thorities as Father Briffard, Tournichon, and church door." the other gentlemen who used to come every Louise was overwhelmed with consternation. evening to have their little rubber with her "You understand, my child, that the fathers aunt. What she now heard about excommuni- have been driven to this step in self-defense. cation, of absolute power intrusted to the Jes- However, they are so kind and merciful-and uits, and of the transmission of infallibility, Father Briffard especially has so tender a spiritthrew her into the greatest confusion: her fears ual interest in you, as your spiritual guide, and affected the soundness of her judgment; and is so unwilling to see your vocation imperiled the countess saw, with delight, that she had in- by constant intercourse with one who ought to duced the poor girl, under the influence of ter- strengthen it, that he is anxious, for your sake, ror, to believe whatever she chose to say. to save your brother. The matter is entirely in "The entire power of the Jesuits," she re- your hands." sumed, "was scarcely known in France. The "In my hands, madam? Tell me what can anti-Catholic laws do not always permit them I do. I would make any sacrifice for Julio's to use it in temporal matters; but they would sake." not venture to cancel the rights accorded by the "Is it so? Then you will save him-you only irresponsible tribunal on earth-the tribu- will save him-and," added the countess, carenal of Rome. The Popes have held them in lessly, "you will even render, though that is a such high favor that Paul III. gave them leave mere secondary consideration with you, an esto build and to acquire, in any part of the world sential service to M. Verdelon." -all power, secular and ecclesiastical, notwith- "To M. Verdelon!" standing. Pius V. did even more for them. Her voice changed, and a warm glow colored By a bull, he awarded to them all the rights, her pale cheeks under the influence of her painpast, present, and to come, that had ever been ful emotion. conceded to religious orders by papal authority, "Good heavens!" thought the countess, and all which could possibly be conceded, with- watching her narrowly. "I was hesitating beout the mention of any favor in special; and fore as to whether she loved the advocate or forbade, at the same time, that these privileges not; now I know she does. 138 UNDER THE BAN. "Most certainly you will. A day or two ago can not disguise from myself that he would conhe proposed to a very rich young lady. I must demn my act, for I have sworn falsely. The not mention her name, as it is a secret; but her object of this entire proceeding has been to prorelatives, who are very religious, have refused tect the property for the Jesuits, and in stating their consent unless he will give up this wretch- otherwise I state what's false. May God fored suit. He considers his honor pledged to give me, and those who drive me to such excontinue it; so that, of course, if the appeal tremities!" were abandoned, he would be free to make an "You do not see things as they really are, excellent marriage. The young lady is greatly Louise. What matter that the terms of that attached to him." paper refer to Tournichon. There have been Louise had turned as pale as death. many other cases where equivocation to a cer"Be so good as to tell me, madam, what I tain extent has been admissible." must do." "And now, madam, Father Briffard's second "You are quite sure that your brother is only condition." following up this matter in your interest?" "Which is imposed upon you solely in your "In that of justice first, madam, then of own interest." mine." "Name it, please," said Louise, impatiently. "Justice must be on the side of the Jesuits; "Your brother must not know just yet what they alone are competent to judge in that mat- has passed between us. Indeed, even by-andter." by, I hope that you will not tell him more than "Be it so, madam; I understand that we prudence requires. So it would be well for you must bend before themr. But, in the name of to retire to a convent till the whole thing is over, Heaven, what am I to do to save my brother?" The opportunity will enable you to have the ad" Father Briffard, who has sent me to you, vantage of a'retreat,' and to ask God to instruct asks but two things; if you consent, the bull of you on the matter of your vocation. Father excommunication will be burnt, and the threat- Briffard is convinced that it is real, and is unened interdict abandoned. Father Briffard him- able to conjecture what you can have seen in self will undertake to arrange the matter at the the world to obliterate the memory of your solpalace." emn and most binding promise." "Tell me, madam, tell me what I'm to do. "There is nothing in the world which I should I care nothing for my fortune. What good regret but dear Julio," said Louise, whose heart would it be to me now?" was terribly wounded at the thought of her lovGood! thought the countess; the news of er's treason. Alas! she had foreseen it: the the pretended marriage of Verdelon has pro- coldness of his last letters had convinced her that duced its effect. it was at hand. But there is such an infinite dis"I thought, my dear child," she said, "that tance between apprehension and reality. Poor your soul was too elevated to be engrossed by Louise never questioned the assertion of the mere perishable advantages. The world, Imay countess as to his marriage. Crushed down, remark, is by no means worthy of you." however, as she was by the distressing interview "Never mind me, madam, it's my brother I'm she had just had, she resisted the suggestion that thinking of, time is precious." she should accompany the countess, without let"First, then, you must give up this appeal. ting her brother know, or taking his advice. To I will dictate to you the form of renunciation." do so would terrify him beyond measure, and she And the countess produced writing materials wouldn't hear of it. from her traveling bag. But all the answer she got was, that Father "Of course, that rejection once deposited with Briffard held as firmly by his second condition the court, your brother would abandon his share as by his first; that, the retreat over, she could in the matter. Deprived of the plea of your in- return to St. Aventin; or, in any circumstance, terests, he could not but do so." write to her brother. And the threat of interThe form was in the following words: dict and major excommunication was judicious"I, Louise Julio de la Claviere, residing at ly repeated., declare that, being fully convinced, through Louise yielded at last, and wrote to her brothinformation that has reached me, that the inten- er, the countess dictating the letter. tion of my late aunt, Susan Guitrat de la Claviere, was to leave all her property to M. Tour- "MY DEAR JULIO,-I am convinced that the nichon, save and except the legacies specified in lawsuit which we had intended to prosecute the will, abandon the appeal which has been no- against M. Tournichon is unjust, and I, for my tifled as much in my name as in that of my part, give up the appeal. I am leaving you for brother, not deeming it right to attack a legacy a few days; it entirely depends upon you whethwhich I know to have been freely made in favor er you see me back again soon. Give up this of M. Tournichon, without any of the conditions wretched prosecution. Above all, give up the which constitute an intermediate trustee. publication of your pamphlet against the Jesuits, "Done at St. Aventin, 12th of September, which would involve us both in the most serious 1860." calamities. Do this for the love you bear your "Madam," said Louise, when she had signed sister. I can not explain more, but I am rethe paper, "I do this to save my brother; but I solved not to return to St. Aventin till you have A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 139 yielded to my wishes. Remember that, if you seek her? There was no sign whatever as to refuse me, you will possibly separate us forever." the direction in which she had gone. Neither Martha nor the neighbors knew any thing about The countess begged her to give her a copy her. He must wait a while. of the letter to show Father Briffard. Then Seating himself at the table on which Martha they wound round the mountain by a by-path had served the dinner, buried in thought, his which led to the Luchon road. The day was head resting on his hands, his imagination was waning; a carriage was waiting. The countess rapidly crowded with the most sinister forebodand Louise got into it together. ings. Ie did not even answer the servant when she entreated him at all events to take some — ~~ —- ~ ~soup, but, quitting his chair, took to pacing up and down the room with rapid steps. Then he CHAPTER IV. went out and explored all the pathways near, THE POLIE THE SEARCH. asking himself, with bitterness of spirit, who the THE POLICE ON THE SEARCH. person could be that had carried her off. So THE evening meal-time had long passed passed the evening. As soon as it was night, when Julio returned home, smiling inwardly as Julio began to think about asking some of his he thought of the charming scolding he would parishioners, who had just come home from have from Louise for having let the dinner get work, to aid him in a torchlight search. Each cold which Martha had prepared, she being by might follow a different path, he thought, agreeno means disposed to have her handiwork lightly ing on the places where they were to fall in with esteemed. However, he consoled himself with one another. Suddenly there was a knock at the thought that he had an excellent excuse; the door; expecting to see Louise, he opened that he had been intrusted, by more than one it, and found a young fellow, almost an idiot, of his sick people, with such warm messages of standing before him. The lad belonged to a grateful affection to Louise for the relief she had neiglboring parish, and was known for a begbrought them, that he felt that peace would soon gar throughout the whole mountain. He knew be proclaimed. They would have to laugh over enough to enable him to execute the few coma cold dinner, which would prove excellent after missions intrusted to him, but his only utterall, and to leave the worthy Martha to grumble ances were confused sounds, or a few words at her leisure. Never, perhaps, had Julio so which his wretchedness had taught him, such as fully entered into the attractions of his beloved "some bread," "I'm cold," "give me a sou." home, where Louise was to him every thing in Incoherently muttering to Julio, he handed him, the world. with a grin, the strange letter, which Louise, At first he was a little astonished to hear that meeting him near the little chapel, had intrustLouise had left the presbytery about an hour aft- ed to his care. The countess had readily agreed er him, and had not yet returned. Martha care- to employ him, as being of all messengers the fully related to Julio every thing that had hap- least likely to compromise them. And Louise pened since he left home: how a child had was consoled by the thought that her brother brought a letter, and how Louise, on reading it, would not pass the night in agonizing suspense. had changed her dress, put on her bonnet and The poor idiot boy was very fond of Julio shawl, and gone out, without saying where she and Louise. They had often spoken kindly to was to be found. him, and given him a plentiful meal, the only These particulars made him anxious. Why enjoyment of which his wretched existence was that care about her appearance? Till then her capable. He had evidently run with his letter, recent mourning had prevented her from visit- for he was covered with perspiration, though ing the few gentry round. Where could she that did not make him forget his customary trihave gone? She knew no one. And then, who fling complaint. Julio brought him in and told sent that letter? For a moment Julio thought Martha to take care of him, while he opened of Verdelon. Could he have asked for an in- with trembling hands the dispatch from Louise. terview? But no; he knew well that he was It revealed to him an odious plot, involving always welcome at the presbytery; there was no his sister and himself. He could not but susnecessity for him to take a roundabout way to pect as the agents in it those who were interestspeak to Louise, and she, too, must have judged ed in terrifying her and driving her to extremisuch a course inexpedient in the extreme. ties. This was evidently another Jesuit proThis last thought made poor Julio feel very ceeding. angry; not for long, however. Had Louise Meanwhile, one crushing load was taken from gone to mneet Verdelon by appointment, he ar- his breast. He would soon know where Louise gued, she would have returned a long time ago. was, and was relieved from the necessity of exFive hours had elapsed since her departure; she ploring the mountain precipice, with the dread would never subject her brother to such anxiety of finding her mangled remains at the bottom. for so long a time. So, clearly Verdelon had After all the misery he had passed through, this no hand in the matter. Then came another letter was almost a comfort. As to questioning thought, most terrible of all-had some accident the messengdr, that was idle. Doubtless there happened to her? would be another letter the next day explaining But what could he do? Where could he the whole mystery. 140 UNDER THE BAN. That night he never closed his eyes for think- sions, M. l'Abbe. We must not assume any ing of her, and asking himself where she was, actual peril, from the fact that your sister hints and how she could have been ever induced to at such being the case, in order to override your write in so extraordinary a way to him. judgment, and obtain from you a compliance As to abandoning the appeal and pamphlet, with her wishes. Possibly she might have that was utterly out of the question. The whole thought that she was justified in what she askthing was a shameful device, which it behooved ed, without any intimidation having been prachim to thwart. ticed upon her; or possibly she is the dupe of The next morning he set out for T, and some wretched intrigue, intended to menace called at the printer's with his manuscript. A you, the true character of which would never paragraph in the leadinglocaljournal announced have been suspected by one so artless and upthat the work was in the press. Thence he re- right as she is. Under any circumstances, here paired to the court. is no evidence of a positive crime, and such The clerk told Julio that his sister's abandon- alone the law has power to recognize and punment of the appeal had been communicated to ish. Moreover, the bigoted partisans of the orthem that morning. Meanwhile, the young der, whether with the complicity of the Jesuits priest was received with the utmost courtesy. or without it, at all events with their tacit conHe made his deposition as to Louise's recent sent, are quite competent to devise a dark disappearance, and placed her letter in the offi- scheme, and to brave the law in carrying it cial hands, in order to advertise the authorities out. Similar cases were brought under our noof what had occurred. tice a few weeks ago. And we are well aware At that time the French magistracy was that certain abductions, actually proved, are watching the religious orders with extreme about to be vindicated in two or three towns. vigilance. Grave complaints and consequent But in these cases, I repeat it, the subjects were inquiries had established most damnatory facts under age. However, notwithstanding all I have with reference to the abduction of young-girls said on this point, greatly as, I see, it has taken in their minority, who had been retained in spite you by surprise -for you, like others, believe of the earnest protests of their parents. Law- that we can do every thing-I promise you that suits had been the result; and it had transpired we will make every effort in our power to arrive that even priests had been cognizant of these at a favorable issue in this business. Whether glaring violations of the statute. -your sister were of age or not, if it can be shown "Depend upon it," said the official, " we will that she has been the victim of a plot, and has leave no stone unturned to hunt out Mademoi- been violently withdrawn from your protection, selle de la Claviere, not only in this department, we are in duty bound to help her, and you may but, if needful, through the whole of France. count fully on our utmost exertions. MeanSpecial instructions shall be given to our foreign while, do you, for your part, prosecute an unreagents, and the police will make every effort on mitting search. I shall always be happy to see your behalf. Only we must follow the prescribed you on this matter, in which I take, pray believe routine course. We can not proceed against me, a lively interest; and any traces, however any one in the matter. Your sister is not a mi- small, which you may have gathered, will aid us nor, as she is twenty-two years of age. So, in discovering the guilty persons, if, as I,said in the eye of the law, she is her own mistress. before, we are able to establish any guilt in the This letter of hers shows dangers ahead with case." which you are both threatened. But the law Greatly disheartened, Julio left the office. can only reach crime actually committed, and Injured men are slow to understand that the not what is merely contemplated. One may see law can not give them any immediate redress. at once that the Jesuits are at the bottom of this The delays in'such cases, the deliberate probusiness; but if they are entitled to the reputa- ceedings of the officers of justice, charged with tion they have acquired, they will have been too the detection of crimes, and feeling their way cunningto show themselves in the matter, though in the execution of their task, are, after all, but they are the only ones interested in it. I would a guarantee on all sides for the unimpaired liblay any wager that your sister is in none of those erty of the subject. Julio, from the moment of convents of the Sacre-Cceur which are under his sister's departure, had, in full accordance their sole jurisdiction. Had we the power to do with his impulsive disposition, planned out the so, we might make a formal search in that quar- entire sequel. He already saw the Jesuits - ter; but you may rest satisfied that we should the guilty contrivers of constant embezzlements never succeed in establishing a case against the of inheritances and abduction of heirs and heirgood fathers." esses -convicted by law of having adopted "Then the law is powerless," said Julio. shameful measures to compel him to abandon "You acknowledge that the Jesuits are the au- his protests. Meanwhile, the magistrates had thors of this precious kidnapping-clearly effect- thrown cold water on this glowing prospect by ed by violence, for my sister acknowledges that reminding him that, before any attempt could she is in danger. She speaks of calamities in be made to prosecute the Jesuits, or any one which any persistent refusal to comply with her else, a criminal charge must be established. requests will involve us." Verdelon learned with apparent coolness from "You are a little too rapid in your conclu- Julio's lips the story of Louise's disappearance. A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 141 "How could she suffer herself to fall into successful. It was evident that Mademoiselle such a palpable snare?" he asked. " Truly, de la Claviere was not in the town, nor had she women are not overgifted with common sense." even passed through it on leaving St. Aventin. "How can you say so? A young girl, hon- The investigation went on at Paris, in the est and simple-minded, in the hands of such fel- provinces, and even in foreign countries. The lows-" magistracy was in constant communication with "He must be very innocent, indeed, Julio, Julio. At that time a greater need than ever who could believe that any violence would be was felt for zealous action in such cases; so the practiced in these days." Minister of Justice was duly apprised of the "And yet it has been before now." whole facts of the case by a report from the "Of course it has, on children. The cases Procureur Imperial. are well known. But a woman of twenty-two or three..." — It was plain that he wanted to prove Louise in fault. CHAPTER V. "Well, never mind arguing; what are we to PAINFUL REACTION. do?" "A question more easily asked than answer- THE sight of the presbytery which had once ed. However, be careful as to what you put contained his beloved Louise revived all that into that pamphlet; the Jesuits might indict acute grief which his movements from place to you for libel, and send you to prison. So be on place, his visits, his proceedings in a large town, your guard. Failing any other revenge, they had almost seemed to have lulled. He was a would rejoice in seeing you inculpate yourself. solitary man, with leisure to meditate on his And, to speak frankly, after the judgment of the loss. A few chance pages of his diary betray civil tribunal, I begin to think you would not the broken-hearted condition into which he was get very gentle handling. I am sorry to own plunged. it, but Mistress Themis has her little leanings * * * * to the side of might." "And now I am alone! " And Louise?" "All my dreams of happiness, all my visions "What can you expect? She is of age, and of innocent delight in the lowliest of presbyteif she has been induced to listen to a tissue of ries, of a life passed in happy communion with nonsense, and is passed on from convent to con- God and nature-the most blessed that can be vent, out of your way, where would you look for experienced on earth - have vanished at a her? You ought to know as well as I what breath! men like these are capable of." "They have taken away my treasure —the "You are a bit of a Job's comforter." only boon I had asked from God on earth. " My dear fellow, it is necessary to be prac- Where are they keeping her? Perhaps beyond tical in common life, and look things in the the sea. Jesuit power reaches over the world. face, as they really are. Your sister has done " Often since this fatal tragedy-which I can a very foolish thing, and you will have to put not even now realize, so utterly romantic does up with the consequences. She has left you, it appear -has it seemed as though I had been more or less, of her own free will. The word- hurried far away into the past, and this outrage ing of her letter gives not the slightest hint at had been accomplished in some distant tradiviolence having been used; she has been terri- tional period when law was powerless to defend fled, and that's all." individual rights- stopping, as it did, on the "Then, would you recommend my abandon- threshold of each baronial territory, and coming this appeal?" pelling valiant knights to constitute themselves "Most certainly not. You have a chance a vigorous police, and arm in chivalrous defense yet, and you ought to follow it up. Our honor of the widow and the orphan. is involved, and, in the presence of a threat like "Had this crime, which is killing me, been this, you should be more determined than ever perpetrated in the Middle Ages, I should have to proceed." had but a very limited sphere to explore in " Exactly what I think. I have just taken searching after my sister's prison. Yet here I my manuscript to the printer's." am in the nineteenth century! And probably "Then look over the proofs very carefully. they are hurrying her off, with a cargo of girls, Above all, make no allusion to this affair; the in outrageous costumes, destined for Chinese or Jesuits will prosecute you for libel if you do. Australian missions. So, from this time forI repeat the warning for your good." ward, I must be a knight-errant. "And Louise?" "But I ought not to revile our modern civil"You must hunt her up." ization. If it has favored the escape of bandits, Julio withdrew. Never had Verdelon been the abduction of women, the shutting up of so cold. Not only love, but friendship even, poor, weak, deluded creatures in convent cells, had disappeared, as he plainly saw. it has, at all events, enabled me to proclaim my He spent several days at T- in fruitless wrongs all over the world, wherever my lansearches. Those of the police, abetted by their guage is understood. I am enabled to chastise, cleverest country agents, were not a bit more now and for ages to come, my worthless perse. 142 UNDER THE BAN. cutors. I shall bequeath to posterity my vehe- poor, the rustic, the laborer in our flocks. But, ment protest against the reckless ambition of for pity's sake, give up this absurd pretension to an order which threatens the ruin of Catholi- be the vanguard of Catholicism. The Church cism. existed before you were graciously pleased to "But these men laugh at my powerlessness. have your being; and it is under the influence Possibly, at this very moment, while I am be- of your blessed economy that she is tottering to gulling my sorrows by writing thus, they are her fall, and Rome temporal is being borne upon obtaining from the tribunal of justice a second your stalwart shoulders to ruin and decay. confirmation of their robbery. And the bigot " St. Ignatius gave you birth in the sixteenth will applaud their triumph, and thank heaven century. St. Vincent de Paul founded his orfor its accomplishment. There will be masses der at the commencement of the seventeenth. in grateful acknowledgment, and in honor of Oblige me by explaining the cry,'Down with the fathers so unrighteously accused; while the the Jesuits!' and the total absence of a similar plundered heir, the victim of their toils, will be cry,'Down with the Lazarists!' held up to the saintly crew as a monster of in- "Again: the Sulpicians, established at the iquity, meriting their pious hatred-the accursed same time, are very well known as presiding one to be overwhelmed with their anathemas- over the first seminary in France. It is from the outcast from the priesthood, denied the touch under their wing that a long line of bishops, of a friendly hand, or the glance of a friendly preachers, and divines have gone forth. They eye! superintend a multitude of educational estab" Reason and right judgment, whither hast lishments throughout the length and breadth of thou fled? and thou, fell superstition, hideous the country. I was their pupil at T —. Pray, fanaticism, the degrader of the moral sense, how is it that popular odium has never overwhat fearful progress hast thou not made! taken these men, who, in good truth, have pro"Yet they will be amazed at this greeting moted the great cause of religion, without the from the outside world! A giant conspiracy least ostentation, without announcing that they against them is strengthening year after year. are foremost in every thing that concerns the And on the day when they shall have crowned, Church, by services at least rivaling yours in by their colossal institutions, their triumph over extent, and infinitely exceeding them in perthe revolutions which have trodden them under, manence. and made void the judicial sentences of expul- "Yet, to the best of my recollection, I never sion which have been launched against them, heard the cry,'Down with the Sulpicians!' by a new growth and strength, as well as by a Still less is the name Sulpician, so far as I am prosperity surpassing any of their most brilliant aware, synonymous with hypocrisy and Phariearlier periods, they will find society as inveter- saic pride. ate as ever against them, dreading, as did the "May I ask whether as much can be said for ages gone by, that tyranny which they have the name Jesuit? maintained throughout Europe, and equally "Ah! sirs, the world is against you, for the prepared with careful precautions against fall. simple reason that it has a horrible reckoning ing under that rule of priestcraft which they with you in store; while against the Sulpicians, have so earnestly and so invariably promoted. the Lazarists, and the various associations of The abhorrence of public opinion surprises them. the humble and unpretending secular clergy They have declared deadly war against it, it is devoted to the quiet discharge of their holy true; but the world can defend itself. work, it has not a word of complaint, for they " They delight to say,' It is not us that our have never done it wrong. adversaries attack; in persecuting our order, "Nor is it religion that is the cause of the they persecute religion, the Church, the papacy, outcry against you; it is your vicious ambition of which we are such fervent champions.' and pride; your priesteraft; your pious strata" Yet, to begin with, my Jesuit friends, where- gems, with which you and other orders of his in are you better supports of religion than the day were reproached by Camus, bishop of Belforty thousand priests of France-you, with your ley. Not a year passes without some prosecupaltry four or five hundred preachers and pro- tion being directed against you. In the day of fessors? your power, under the old government, you "Is your pulpit eloquence superior to ours? practiced the same course as you are now folDoes a Jesuit's sermon surpass so very much a lowing under the new. And if you are incurparish vicar's? Not that I can see. Your ring the same accumulated hatred, don't comteaching, too -is it marked by some peculiar plain; it is popular justice. virtue beyond either the knowledge or the prac- "But here I am, working up a full indicttice of our humblest provincial seminaries? ment against the Jesuits. Better study some What can you do more in the confessional than little flower, or the glories of nature which are we? You are more lenient, you say; that's forever unveiling themselves in these imperial your look-out. You flatter a set devoted to mountains. your interests and your pockets. You send "Ah! beloved Pyrenees, so bright with nevyour penitents right off to heaven by a path of er-fading beauty, so rich in treasure for the sturoses. Do it, and welcome for us. God can dent or the naturalist, who can say how long I be merciful to your votaries, as He is to the shall be permitted to linger among ye? If they A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 143 have carried off my poor sister, have they not a appeal to head-quarters. The opponents exthousand schemes for capturing her brother? pected a triumph, but were dismayed on learnLittle doubt but that my Jesuit exposure will ing the reply of the Minister of the Interior to be recompensed in Jesuit coin. A blind epis- the effect that government never meddled with copate is their tool, using them against us, little theatrical representations, leaving them to be dreaming all the while that they are acquiring dealt with by the local authorities. the upper hand over it; and it is but fair. Thence they repaired to the magistracy and They are the real bishops. The poor archbish- the heads of the superior courts, but met, on all op will think it expedient to sacrifice one of his sides, the same refusal to mix in an affair altopriests to their wishes, and some day or other gether out of their jurisdiction. my pastoral rights here will be taken from me So the WVandering Jew was to be played. by the hand of authority. Meanwhile all these various devices and ex"Be it so; I-must bow my head. Accursed ertions of the Jesuit partisans became known to one, be prepared for speedy vengeance. Out- the public, and were the subject of significant cast, incase thy soul, such as it is, in armor of comment, even in the cafes. In Liberal circles proof, and oppose it to the coming storm. they were the one theme of conversation. The "And you, ye pleasant dreams, saintly mem- whole affair was creating immense interest in ories of the only woman's heart that has ever T-. throbbed on mine, spare me a little! Recall On the morning of the first performance, M. not, I beseech you, those holy joys, perhaps the Jules Reni received a letter from a messenger, last that this poor troubled life of mine will ever who had asked the doorkeeper of the theatre, know, or I shall break down utterly under my with an air of mystery, to show him the way to accumulated woes!" the manager's private room. The communication was as follows: "Father Guillet, Provincial of the Jesuits, CHAPTER VI. has a matter of great importance to communicate to M. Reni. He would feel greatly obliged THE WANDERING JEW AT THE THEATRE. to him if he would have the goodness to call, at A T time before the appeal against thehis earliest convenience, at the establishment in A SHOut time before the appeal against the... unfortunate decision in favor ofb the Jesuits " The ne ill esl u n e came off, public opinion, outraged by all that The wl eas stand theihad occurred, took signal vengeance on the evil portant considerations which prevent M. Guillet doers. Whenever a popular demonstration oc-ffrom calling on him personally, and will kindly doers. Whenever ppulademexcuse him on that account. curs in the South, all the elements of excite-excuse hm onthat accou ment are developed to their fullest extent. The (Sined), GUILLET, S. J. Southern races of France feel keenly, and are Now M. Reni was too polite not to accede at enthusiastic haters and lovers. Impulsive in once to this request. So he prepared, without the extreme, there are times when they are un- delay, to call on the Provincial, and within an able to contain their emotion, and are with dif- hour was at the door of the Jesuit establishficulty arrested on the limits of violence. ment. Whether by chance, and according to a pre- "I wish to see M. Guillet, the Provincial," viously ordered programme, or whether from a he said to the porter. suspicion of the interest which the piece would "I will go and tell him, sir. Your name, if arouse, both from the fiequency of its disrespect- you please?" ful allusions to the Jesuits, and the coincidence "Say the manager of the theatre." of Julio's second suit being about to be heard, The passage in which M. Reni had spoken to M. Jules Reni, the manager of the theatre of the porter communicated with the small court T —, announced in his bills, one fine morn- where the reverend fathers were at that moment ing, the drama of the Wandering.Tew, in which taking their recreation. Some of them had a talented artist was to appear as Rodin. heard the ominous title, "the manager of the Whereupon there was a huge sensation in the theatre." In a moment it passed from lip to town. The Jesuit spies took good care to make lip, and as M. Reni went through the court on known the unpalatable fact in the proper quar- his way to the Provincial's room, he had the ter. Their friends cried out against the scan- gratification of seeing them crossing themselves dal. The president, they declared, would never devoutly, as though a personage, whom it is unpermit the play to come off; and to accomplish necessary to name more particularly, had been this desirable interference, they left no measure suddenly let loose among them. The subseuntried. However, the authorities were inex- quent interview-the particulars of which he orable. The mayor of T-, who had the su- made no secret of afterward-took place bepervision of the theatre, declared that he would tween him and Father Guillet alone. not suffer any tampering with the liberty of the "I have called as quickly as I could, sir, in stage, as the piece was thoroughly moral, and compliance with the request in your note." had been acted at Paris. The prefect, assailed How exceedingly kind of you, M. le Directon all sides by powerful menaces from the "re- eur; I wish to speak to you about a very deliligious" community, took refuge in a telegraphic cate matter. You intend to put forward a play 144 UNDER THE BAN. malevolently aimed at our order. In the pres- borne in to swell the tumult of stamping feet ent state of public feeling, such a proceeding and frantic applause which resounded through can not but be attended by dangerous results. the house, and echoed in the distance like peals It will only inflame the popular excitement, al- of thunder, the shouts of the thousands outside ready fearfully in the ascendant. Can not we who had been unable to obtain admission, and come to some understanding with a view to who, in their irritation, relieved themselves by withdrawing the piece?" furious abuse of the sons of Loyola. "That would be exceedingly difficult, sir; it For an entire month, this one play was rewould grievously disappoint the public." peated night after night, at the incessant de"II understand. However, if some compen- mand of the public, whose excitement seemed sation were made to the various actors-" rather to increase than diminish. Frequently M. Reni saw through his man at once, but he was it necessary to have recourse to strong measthought he should like to try how far he would ures to repress the too violent demonstrations proceed in his proposals. and the too fierce allusions to the unhappy Jcs"The actors, sir," he replied, "love their uits. The audience were wild with delight at work. Nothing would make up to them for the the actor who played Rodin. They flung garapplause they expect from the justice of the au- lands at his feet. They greeted him with three dience as an acknowledgment of their success- times three whenever he appeared on the stage. ful efforts." At the conclusion of the piece, he was summon"But surely a large sum..." ed before the curtain time after time. He was "I should never have the face, sir, to make all but chaired in triumph on leaving the theaproposals to my staff, which they would regard tre. The glowing excitement was chiefly conas insulting to the career they so honorably pur- centrated on him; and summary vengeance was sue." wreaked upon the Jesuits by each frantic thun" Still, reflect a moment.. There is your- der of applause which hailed his performances. self... the question is to prevent a public scandal in T —. All right-thinking people — will approve..." " I am much obliged to you, sir, but I hap- CHAPTER VII. pen to be of the number of those who have a THE APPEAL. constitutional aversion to bribes." The Jesuit was not to be beaten yet. After THREE days after the departure of Louise, that avowal, dryly as it had been uttered, he had Julio received the following letter: the face to say, "MY BROTHER,-In God's name, if you love "We are willing to go as far as 20,000 me, do not forsake me. Believe me this once francs." when I assure you that my liberty and even my "Very much obliged to you indeed, sir. You life are at stake. Abandon your purpose. I have given me the finest point I could have am areat distance away from you, but your wished. My very humble respects to you, sir. compliance with my request will restore me to Good morning." you again." And he left him in the utmost confusion. How could men so famed for astuteness expose At last Julio hesitated. He had no doubt themselves to such an answer? How was it whatever that it was the Jesuits who had carthat they did not foresee that a refusal being ried her off. The question was, would they more than probable, their offers would bring dare to murder her? down upon them the derision of the entire "No! a thousand times no! There was town? I simply record this fact as a fact. I something at the bottom of it. It was easy to am at a loss to account for it. Very likely the imagine in how many ways they might terrify Provincial fancied that the manager of a theatre a poor girl, hidden away in a cell out of the and his staff of actors were a posse of low-mind- reach of her friends. But they would never ed fellows easily bought over. He never sus- venture to proceed to violence. Her words pected that there could be such a thing as dig- were but an exaggeration occasioned by her nity and honor on the stage. misery-nothing more." It would be needless to expatiate on the tre- And yet the thought of his sister's despair mendous outburst created in the fashionable was anguish to Julio. world of T — by the news of all that had trans- " After all," he said to himself, " what is the pired at this characteristic conference. The ad- good of this fortune? Were Louise to get her venture rushed through the town like an elec- money back, Verdelon would marry her. In tric spark. The theatre was too limited to con- her poverty she will remain with me. I shall tain the throng which pressed for admission. have my beloved sister once again under my The whole Place du Capitole was crowded with roof. She is too good for the world. The loss a dense mass; and while the actor charged with of the suit is perhaps the means designed by the character of Rodin depicted to the very life God to rescue her from the snares of a frivolous the man who bows down to the ground in his life. Then I had better have done with this apfactitious humility, the better to exalt himself peal-the chances are two to one against my in all the imperiousness of his pride, there were gaining it. But no. I have no right to do so, A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 145 in my sister's interest. She is young and inex- than before; a sort of feverish excitement spread perienced in the ways of the world, from the like an epidemic through the town. The rival seclusion of her previous life. True, she has parties-Clerical and Liberal-eyed one anothsigned her abandonment of the fresh prosecu- er with any but affectionate glances. Disputants tion; but, if I go on with it, her act is of no ef- in the South are always on the point of coming feet. Twenty-three years old though she is, to high words, and not unfrequently do it. The she is a child to me, and I am bound to do my tallow-chandlers had a busier time than ever in duty to the last. I must consider her prospects. supplying tapers for the multitudinous shrines I have no right to shut her up in a presbytery. of the Virgin. There was a perfect storm cf If I did, I might expect one day remorse and novenas, and the Jesuits, without knowing it, even reproach, and have to convict myself of and most certainly without wishing it, were let cowardice and selfishness." in for the drudgery of the secular clergy. EnAt that moment a suspicion crossed Julio's thusiasts of every class invaded the sacristies, mind. full of timid trust in the blessed solemnities "Supposing this was not written by my sister, which were to be the salvation of the worthy after all." fathers. He took it up again and examined it carefully. On the other hand, Julio's little book had The letters, looked at one by one, were thorough- created a terrible sensation. The shrewd publy Louise's; yet there was a manifest want of lisher had adopted as a title, The Jesuits LUnfreedom in the writing; each character appeared 7masked, adding underneath, A Tract for the to have been formed separately, and stood apart Court of Appeal. As it was published as a book from its neighbor, as in printing. A good pen- and not as a pamphlet, it was adapted for worldman had told him once that forgers ofhandwrit- wide circulation, and thus was calculated to ing betrayed themselves frequently by petty de- arouse in every direction the most enlightened tails, such as the crossing of their t's; their semi- and emphatic animosity against the famous socolons, and flourishes at the end of words. A ciety. brief examination of the paper on these points The -first issue of many thousands could convinced him that it was fictitious. Each final scarcely satisfy the eager demands of T — letter ended with a short, straight line, while alone. Booksellers' agents pressed for as many Louise's were always rounded off. Here the more. The original lawsuit had acquired nosemicolons were abrupt and stumpy. Louise's toriety; the law intelligence of the Independance were long and wavy. The t's in this letter were Belge had furnished an accurate account of the crossed by a very thin horizontal stroke, while proceedings, also had alluded to the forthcoming Louise invariably finished hers off with a ran- appeal and pamphlet. Paris, Brussels, London, dom curve. Turin, St. Petersburg even, sent in applications The words "St. Aventin, near Luchon," on the for large supplies. The publication acquired a outside of the letter, were written with a thick, European celebrity. clumsy penstroke. When Louise wrote to her And it had been written by an honest man. brother, she always rounded off this decoration Not a word of hatred or abuse did it contain. of the address with a graceful bend and genteel It did full justice to the private virtues of the flourish. order, enlarging generously on this point. But "No more doubt upon the subject," he said in handling their general economy, their spirit to himself; " the thing is not from her." of tyranny, their insatiate avarice, their cunning Next morning there was another visit from and tenacious measures for securing rich bethe postman; the communication, like its pred- quests, its denunciations were terrible. It held ecessor, bore the T- stamp upon it. It ran up each Jesuit, from the general downward, as as follows: playing his part in the gear-catching, wheelIf your abandonment of the appeal is not within-wheel complication of an immense ma"If your abandonment of the appeal is not ^ summing up the whole gist of the arlodged with the authorities in forty-eight hours chinry, summing up the whole gist of the arfo thb fgument in the words, " The Jesuits are allied from this time, my doom will be fixed forever, species of freemasonry." and you will never see me again. by a species of freemasonry." and you will never see me again. Brother, Perhaps Verdelon was less brilliant and glowbrother, take pity on me. ing in his address on this occasion than he had This time the imitation was less careful than previously been. He had no longer that great before. The writer had clearly taken very lit- source of inspiration that had stimulated him tie trouble about it. There were capitals in it before, as he had no farther hope of success, and utterly unlike Louise's. Moreover, she would had forsaken Louise; yet his words were bitnever have used technical terms. What did terer even than before, and more crushing in she know about " abandonment of appeal," and their exposure of the Jesuits. "lodged with the authorities?" "I know not what will be the judgment of "A little patience," said Julio, "and the the court," he said. "I have too great a revmystery will clear up; the Jesuits will pay erence for its decisions not to feel assured that dear for this before long.' it will be guided simply by conscientious conThe appeal day came at last. The question viction and a desire to maintain the law. It was argued before a higher tribunal. The pub- must be so, that the revelations which have lic of T —-- were more interested in the matter been thrown upon this disgraceful transaction K 146 UNDER THE BAN. can not carry the same weight with the bench cities of the South, and through the whole of that they do with me; and not with me only, France. but with whoever in Europe is watching our pro- A very severe letter arrived from Rome. ceedings. Yet, apart from this, and from any The General of the Jesuits wrote to the Profarther considerations which might justify a vincial to say that he was at a loss to underdoubt, in point of law, in the minds of the mag- stand how it was that a priest who had dared istrates empowered to confirm or reverse the to pen that infamous work against the eminent judgment of the inferior court, there will be a servants of God and the chair of St. Peter was separate verdict in the country at large, arrived still officiating in a French diocese; that such at in point of equity, and that verdict will de- remissness amounted to a positive scandal, from scend upon the heads of these wrong-doers with which it was high time to deliver the Church, everlasting reprobation. We have just been and that the Provincial was to call upon the writing a page in contemporary history. It will archbishop in his name, and tell him how surbe demonstrated that, in the middle of the nine- prised' he was at such a state of things existing; teenth century, chicanery, profligacy, and spoli- he was to assure him that he (the general) did ation have been employed for the promotion of not overlook the difficulties of the age, nor the their private greed by a body affecting the char- tact which was necessary in a bishop toward his acter of saints. It will be shown that a trem- clergy, and his invariable predisposition to clembling girl, utterly ignorant of the world, has been ency; but that there were limits to the most induced, by the terrors of so-called religion em- extreme indulgence, and that leniency, when ployed for the purpose, to abandon her friends pushed too far, became complicity; that he was for the cloister, and at this very moment-I say very far fpom supposing that the archbishop was it with horror-has fallen into an artful snare, indifferent to the credit of the order, but that, after having so long resisted the cunning of a after the celebrity that had followed this wretchcertain Father Briffard. ed lawsuit, in which God and the Virgin had "Wandering out by herself, or forcibly ab- so manifestly protected the innocent society, it ducted by stratagem or by violence, God only was right that the instigator of the original knows, she has been spirited away from her prosecution, as well as author of a publication, brother's roof. Justice will, of course, have to contemptible in itself, but calculated, neverthetake cognizance of this shameful deed. I, for less, to do much mischief, should be openly conmy part, desire to be reserved upon a point demned by ecclesiastical authority. This step which, however intimately it may be associated was absolutely required to show that that auwith the matter in hand, is as yet enveloped in thority had no sympathy with his disgraceful mystery. Away with you, liars and cheats! proceedings, but, on the contrary, had, in comSack this half million if you will, purchased by pliance with the Church's requirements, chasten blackguard years of begging, the meanest tised him and proscribed his works. and the paltriest, of acts of baseness the most He also charged the Provincial to offer the utterly scurrilous, of tricks the lowest and most archbishop the assurance of his deepest respect, despicable. Go and build your precious citadel and told him that he was using all his influence in the middle of our town; but mark me, men, to move the Sacred Congregation of the Index it will have cost you dear-even honor, prized to condemn the Abbe Julio's libelous publicaby the meanest outcast in his miserable rags, tion. and the stigma of disgrace, which, in the un- Fortified with this document and the judgbounded freedom of these courts of law, I am ment just given, the Provincial proceeded to the suffered, ere judgment is pronounced, to brand palace. Admitted to an interview with monindelibly upon your brows." seigneur, he intimated to him, with much apYet his eloquence missed its mark. The Im- parent humility, but with decided, though supperial Court confirmed the decision in the other pressed imperiousness, the pleasure of the soprosecution. The triumph of the Jesuits was ciety, without, however, making any reference complete. to the letter he had received. "You know," replied the archbishop, "how ~ --— ~ —- ~ M. Gaguel, myself, all the members of the chapter, and the whole body of the clergy, have symCHAPTER VIII. pathized with you in this matter. You know how we have rejoiced in your success." LETTER FROM THIE GENERAL OF THE JESUITS. "I do, monseigneur." III do, menseigneur." JULIO'S lawsuit had created a great interest "I assure you, I am all but compromised with through the whole of Europe. He had felt cer- this wretched priest. I put it in his power to tain of succeeding with' public opinion, even resist my commands. I required him-formalthough the law should fail in proving the rob- ly required him -reverend father, to abandon bery. The real truth was that he was the vie- the appeal. But he is so abominably self-willtor, and his book had won him the victory. ed." Still, with judgment in their favor, the Jes- "But at present, monseigneur-" uits rejoiced greatly as they inveighed against "You see, reverend father, I paused before the accursed priest who had dared to blaspheme proceeding to extremes. Had I punished him their holy order in one of the most eminent before the recent judgment was pronounced, A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 147 there would have been plenty of persons ready Julio was completely in the dark about that to attribute it to your influence." fearful scene in which Loubere had extracted " Very possibly, monseigneur; but at pres- an oath from the archbishop to leave his perseent?" cuted victim in peace. Hence the friendly, "At present I am greatly perplexed. Imust even loving tone of this letter puzzled him pause and reflect before proceeding any farther. greatly. What could have come to his highYou are doubtless aware that there is a large ness, and where were his threats? section of the community on his side, and even The next day he set out for T —. of thoroughly religious men. This can not be "I am exceedingly sorry, dear abbe, to have denied." hurried you here; but I could not satisfactorily "All the more reason, monseigneur, that communicate with you in the present instance your highness should not appear any longer to by writing. I felt I must see you. And now tolerate his proceedings." let us set out by your thoroughly understanding "I tolerate them, reverend father! when I me. Come, speak out -did you ever imagine have taken this affair more to heart than your that I was very partial to you?" sacred company itself. It is I who am involved "I can't say I ever did, monseigneur." here, when one of my priests ventures to attack "Ah! you are modest there. Well, I acyou. Yet the requirements of caution-" knowledge appearances have been against me. The Provincial, seeing the archbishop was But, my dear abbe, just put yourself in my place trying to get out of the scrape, and that he was for a moment. The fact is, we are so worried. determined not to proceed to extremities with So many influences are brought to bear upon Julio, judged it high time to avail himself of us, there is such constant need of cautious manthe heavy artillery which he had kept in reserve. agement. The episcopate is no couch of roses. He handed him the general's letter. A good priest, quietly working in his parish, is Its all but threatening tone made the arch- better off far than we are. But we must bear bishop feel extremely uncomfortable. He would our cross. So let that pass. And now to come not, for the whole world, offend the general, who, to the immediate question. I have had a great at that moment, after the reconciliation that deal of annoyance with reference to you. You had been effected between Pius IX. and the may well believe that I have been plagued from Jesuits, might prove such a help to him in the all sides. To be plain with you, that publication matter of the hat. On the other hand, he felt of yours is scarcely to be defended. Here you himself lowered. The Jesuit spoke as Pope, were, my dear abbe, attacking an order reverand appeared to menace the most illustrious dig- enced in the Church; an order, as your breviary nitary as though he were an inferior. puts it, established of God in the last times to "Write to the most reverend general, father, put down heresy. That's pretty plain, my dear and tell him that ample justice will be done in friend. Read it for yourself." the matter. Weighty considerations, perhaps The good man marked in his breviary the scarcely existing at Rome, require us to be very passage referred to, and handed it to Julio. much on our guard in dealing with our clergy. "Deum Luthero ejusdemque temporis haeretWe know the fluctuations of power, and in icis Ignatium et institutam ab eo societatem any struggle that may chance to arise we are objecisse." obliged to be careful how we act. But rest as- "Pretty plain words those," continued the sured that I will give you evident proof of the archbishop. " And you have attacked that orindignation which I feel at the conduct of this der. But how? If I were a mere layman, in wretched priest." no way interested in the matter, I should say And he brought the interview to an end by you had ill-used them. Your book is most a thousand sweet speeches to the Provincial, telling, because it is so very moderate-that, of all tending to show how deeply he was devoted course, between ourselves. And now there is to the venerable society. a general outcry —every body is down upon That very evening the following letter, in his you. What would you have me do? I have own handwriting, was posted to Julio: just seen a letter from Rome stating that your work had been referred to the Index. What'T-, 29th September, 1860. course will you take? You'll have to submit. "MY VERY DEAR VICAR,-I want a personal See, then, in what a position you will place us interview with you on a matter of the greatest both. You have set the Jesuits upon me, and importance. Apart from my affection for all they will never give me a moment's peace. Are my clergy, the exceptional position in which I you aware that these good fathers will stand no feel bound to place you commands my special nonsense, and that they would think no more interest. So pray come and see me, and ex- of abusing an archbishop of T- than a vicar cuse the journey, the trouble of which I greatly of St. Aventin? I know them well enough to regret causing you. know that. At the same time, I am resolved "I shall expect you as soon as possible. to convince you of the reality of my regard for "Your affectionate and devoted you. I have no fancy for the odious task of "PIERRE FRAN9OIS LE CRICQ, executing their vengeance upon you. So will "Archbishop of T —. you do me a favor in this matter-will you "M. l'Abbe Julio de la Claviere, Vicar of St.Aventim." oblige me? You see that I am speaking to 148 UNDER THE BAN. you without the slightest reserve. You can live been associated with it in so strange a mancreditably on your annuity - can you not? ner. Then leave the ministry for a little time - say The archbishop, with all his education, inteltwo or three years, if you do not mind. Ah! ligence, and high position, was as superstitious my dear abbe, in that period who knows what as an old woman. The blood of the priest, stainwill have happened at Rome or to the Jesuits- ing the grand draperies of his reception-room, the march of events is so rapid in our days. and his carcase stretched on the floor before his The issues of a year now are as many and va- eyes, haunted him like a constant nightmare. It ried as those of a century in old time. Pray seemed as though the purple he had so long degrant what I ask in a friendly spirit. Write sired was now before him; but it was the purout here on my desk a little note telling me pie of human blood which had stained his violet that, being anxious to recruit your health, you robe When he himself had helped his valet, from wish to leave the diocese for a short time. I a desire that no other servant should be cogniwill order my secretary to give you at once an zant of the frightful tragedy, to carry the body exeat pro quacunmque dicecesi. When quiet has of Loubere to a small room adjoining the state been restored; when the present crisis has de- apartments, which had been for some time unveloped itself; when, perchance, Garibaldi, with occupied. his red-shirts, has driven Jesuits and Index But it would be well to go back for a moment pell-mell from Rome-all which may be looked to that occurrence. for —you can return in peace, and take some When Loubere, struck by the ball, had fallcomfortable post in the diocese. Come, my en on the floor, the archbishop, horrified at the very dear abbe, don't refuse me. This course spectacle, fled from the room. Just as he was will solve the difficulty. Let us arrange the crossing the antechamber, however, he paused whole thing like two friends." to reflect. His valet was an elderly man, of It was impossible to resist this hyper-exqui- great respectability, and thoroughly trustworthy. sitely civil archbishop. It was a graceful way of So he rang for Jerome, and received him himbowing him out of the diocese. Julio felt that self in the outside lobby. Then carefully shuthe might as well submit with a good grace. ting the door leading to the staircase, he told The archbishop placed a chair for him at his him that an unhappy priest, suffering from an desk, and he wrote the application for an exeat. attack of the brain, brought on by the intense The archbishop rang, and the secretary ap- heat, had just committed suicide in his presence. peared. Jerome went to Loubere and examined his "Fill up an exeat pro quacumque diecesi for wound. By the sudden movement of his arm M. l'Abbe Julio, vicar of St. Aventin." to avoid the archbishop, the poor victim had "And, please, add my title, honorary canon averted the aim. Iappily, the ball, instead of of T —, monseigneur." piercing the brain, had taken a slanting direc"With all my heart. Now remember you tion, and inflicted a terrible flesh-wound-to all can take a fortnight or more, if you like, to set- appearance mortal. The archbishop was most tie your affairs at St. Aventin. You will let us anxious to hush up a tragedy which was liable know, by a note to my secretary, the day when to so many painful misconstructions, should it the presbytery will be at liberty." ever be bruited abroad. The secretary soon returned. "I have a physician," he said to Jerome, "a The archbishop embraced the young priest, faithful friend, on whom I can thoroughly rely. and Julio left the palace: he was no longer in Let us lay this poor fellow on a bed and send the diocese of T —. for him. We can give it out in the house that The next day a paragraph in the Star ofLan- the priest was attacked by hemorrhage in the guedoc announced "the Abbe Paul Caze, curate great drawing-room. Once recovered, he can of —, as vicar of St. Aventin." leave the palace. That plan would be betterThe archbishop had satisfied the Jesuits. inconvenient as it might prove-than a terrible It is easy to account for the fatherly tone of scandal." the archbishop, his all but tenderness to the poor Jerome perfectly acquiesced. The report had abbe, though Julio himself could not understand not been heard at a distance, thanks to a brass it. "Whence such unbounded deference," he band at the head of a troop of cavalry which asked himself. "The magnate who might have was parading by, and also to the heavy windowcrushed him under his heel had apologized for curtains, which had been lowered to exclude the bringing him from St. Aventin. He had writ- glare of the sun, and the shutters, which had ten him an affectionate letter, as though he had been shut on account of the heat. been one of his favorite priests. His reception The archbishop and Jerome carried poor at the palace was gracious in the extreme. Was Loubere, more dead than alive, to the adjointhis nothing more than a hypocritical dodge to ing room. There they gave him some smelling persuade him more easily to leave the diocese salts. At length he recovered his consciousquietly, and not to compel the archbishop to se- ness, and was not a little surprised to find where verity? Nothing of the kind. The Abbe Lou- he was, and who was at his side. The valet bere was always present to the mind of the pre- had gone away to fetch the doctor. late; but Julio knew nothing of the affair, nor The unhappy man could not speak. The had he the slightest idea of his name having archbishop was very cautious; and being anx A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 149 ious to promote a cure which he desired so earn- CHAPTER IX. estly, he contented himself with a very few gentle and fatherly words, calculated, in his belief, JULI FA MUS. to have a soothing influence. THAT year the close of the season at Luchon The doctor soon came. Having examined had been unusually brilliant. The number of the injury, he said that though it was not posi- strangers was very great. The recent legal protively mortal, it was, nevertheless, so severe that ceedings formed the uppermost theme of interirritation of the brain, if not inflammation, might est. Book-hawkers, who had been spending the at any moment set in, and kill the sufferer. The five finest months of the year theie, had specuwound was dressed, the flesh skillfully sewn up, lated largely in the famous pamphlet, and circuand the patient left to the care of Jerome. Ev- lated numerous copies. An immense placard, cry care was taken that the other servants should inscribed "The Jesuits unveiled-price one not come near him; and when the valet was franc," drew general observation. The proobliged to be absent, the archbishop watched scribed publication was read with avidity. The him himself. road to St. Aventin, in the direction of the Lac It was in those long vigils, extending often d'Oo, became a species of fashionable pilgrimfar into the night, that the archbishop, in his age; and Julio's last days at his presbytery were half-asleep moments, saw himself arrayed in a series of incessant ovations. Eminent men, red. He felt his dress, and found his. violet publicists, magistrates, distinguished foreigners, robes steeped in the priest's blood. esteemed it an honor to grasp the hand of the From that time his visits to Loubere dimin- brave priest, who had nobly maintained his ished in frequency. IHe was afraid of him and rights against an order so tremendous in its of himself. Sinister forebodings laid siege to power and so terrible in its vengeance. his mind, and another victim of his cruelty, an- The Bishop of -, who had come to take the other poor martyr, whom he had mercilessly tor- waters, was among his visitors, to the utter hormented to the utmost of his power, rose up be- ror of the vicar of Luchon, who could not underfore him, gazing at him with mild, reproachful stand a prelate's venturing to hold communicaeyes, and saving, in a low, gentle voice, "I have tion with any one who was "under the ban." never threatened you. Neither my heart nor But, to all his remonstrances, the reply was, my lips have been disgraced by ill will to you. "I am very partial to the worthy Abbe Julio." I have ever respected your high episcopal rank. "Your highness is charitable in the extreme; But there is a God for those of the oppressed but you will excuse my declining to accompany who confide themselves entirely to him." you." As soon as Loubere had recovered, the arch- "Why, what harm has he done you?" bishop prepared to send him home. After what "He has insulted the Church in the person had passed, it was but natural that the priest of her most illustrious defenders. Look hereshould ask to be dispatched to a distant diocese. they are selling, in every direction, his detestaM. le Cricq, on the occasion of his visit to Rome, ble book. He has been disgraced by the praises had made the acquaintance of the Archbishop of the Opinion Nationale, the Siecle, and the Inof Chanmbry, and he now gave Loubere a letter dependance Belge." of introduction to that prelate, adding, very lib- "Very serious." erally, a note for a thousand fiancs. More than that, he is on the threshold of an " I accept your gift, monseigneur," the priest interdict. His successor is already appointed." replied; "but neither this money, nor any thing "I don't think he will be interdicted. He in the world, releases you from your oath. My has only fought for his rights." blood must not have been shed in vain. Re- "But that pamphlet of his, monseigneurmember, monseigneur." that pamphlet! I don't believe a single priest The poor, terrified archbishop dared not re- speaks to him now. Any one who attacks the ply; and it was under the influence of this part- Jesuits attacks us all." ing scene-not so tragical as the other, but more " All right, my dear vicar. I see the good present to his mind-that he received the visit fathers have a zealous champion in yourself; of the Provincial. that's quite proper. Good-by." That day he cursed "those plaguy Jesuits" The bishop, who had taken a room at the with all the energy of his soul. "They are our presbytery, withdrew, ordering his valet to be in masters, after all," he said to himself; " the readiness the next morning. Abbe Julio is right." He set out for St. Aventin the following day, But he disguised his anger, and was as as he had intended. smooth-tongued and obsequious as ever to the "Monseigneur," said Julio, as soon as he saw Provincial, and ready to yield to the behests of the bishop, "you will pay dear for this charitable Rome. Meanwhile, harassed by remorse, with visit of yours to a proscribed priest. You will his ambition and his oath at variance, he en- never be a cardinal." deavored to get Julio out of the diocese in so "Quite so," said the bishop. "But I am graceful a way as to be able to reply to the young, and mean to reserve myself for promoavenging shade of Loubire, should it ever rise tion under a different system yet to come. In and rebuke him, "Julio asked me to allow him that day, it is possible the Jesuits may be less to go; here is his letter." powerful at Rome." 150 UNDER THE BAN. He spent the whole day at St. Aventin. Ju- "I am bound to add, in confidence, that not lio led him into Louise's little room. the shadow of a shade of proof has reached us" She is no longer there, monseigneur. What not even the faintest indication-implicating the have they done with her? You see all that re- Jesuits in this transaction. mains to me of my beloved sister, and will easily "Receive, etc., etc." understand how miserable I am." "It is quite possible that they have devised some scandalous trick to terrify her; but deeds of violence are impossible in these days." CHAPTER X. "I trust so."... -~ THE TEMPORAL POWER IN TROUBLE. At the same time, it would be as well for you to expedite the necessary measures for her TuREE great events are prominent in modern recovery. Whether she has left you voluntari- history: the Reformation of the sixteenth cenly or not, yotl ought to ascertain where she is. tury, the social revolution of 1789, and the downVery probably you will be more successful in fall of the tempolal power in the nineteenth cenyour efforts than the police." tury. These are three great crises in the annals Just as the bishop was taking his leave, Julio of Western Europe: their motto is "'Emancipareceived the following letter: tion." "M. L'ABBE,-I have not lost sight of the The papal bull burned by Luther; the rights important subject with reference to which you of man proclaimed by the Convention; Pius IX., intrusted me with your depositions at the magis- or his successor, a simple pontiff at the Vatican tracy. An active search has been, and is still -such are the final achievements of that giganbeing made through the entire French territory tic effort of the human mind which has broken and in foreign countries. I may go so. far as to the iron shell in which, during the long and painassure you that his excellency the Minister of ful night of the Middle Ages, the present develJustice has taken the warmest possible interest opment of the race was confined. in the case, and will make special exertion in This struggle for freedom has lasted a thouyour behalf. He has just forwarded me a re- sand years. The effects of the Reformation port, unhappily somewhat vague, from one of were for a long time arrested in their progress; our Italian agents, who fancied he had recog- the Revolution of 1789 is now developing its nized your sister's description in a young lady final phases; we shall live to see the fall of ponwho had landed at Civita Vecchia in one of the tifical royalty. boats of the Imperial Companies, about the mid- The aid which the Reformation gave to the dle of the month of August, with two nuns and human intellect has effected a thorough intela child apparently between thirteen and four- lectual revival. It proclaimed the right of priteen years of age. Instructions were forwarded vate judgment, and the kingly power of human from Paris to our agents at Rome. After long thought. From the day of its dawn, that coland patient secret investigation, however, it has lective sentiment known as public opinion has been ascertained that the lady in question is been, as Pascal full well foresaw, the empress not in the convent' della Trinita del Monte,' the of the world. only establishment of the sisters of the Sacre- The intellectual freedom of mind and soul Coeur in Rome. from the gripe of the,mayister dixit, in which it "This is the only trace-and it is very indef- had been held as in a vice during the Middle inite in connection with her-which has reached Ages, was Luther's grand achievement. the office of the Minister of Justice. Social liberty, held once in perpetual subjec"I should add, however, that, from the re- tion by the old political system, was effected by ports which we have received here at T —, we the Revolution of 1789. gather that, on the 14th of September, two days The enlargement of the evangelical spirit of subsequent to your sister's disappearance from the Church —grotesquely allied to a pontifical St. Aventin, a lady escorted to the little railway imperialism-is now being effected, and will be station of Escalquens, on the line from T- consummated by the proclamation of Rome as to Narbonne, a young person, plainly dressed, the capital of united Italy. whose distinguished air and manners attracted The Reformation, intended to be wholly regeneral attention. Her description agrees with ligious, became largely intellectual in its efyour sister's. She took a seat in a first-class fects; while Italy, designing a political movecarriage, attended by an elderly maid-servant; ment, has effected a religious regeneration. but we have not been able to ascertain exactly A revolution, intellectual, social, and Chrisfor what place she took her ticket. Our agent, tian -such is the triple produce of human who communicates this information, was struck thought and energy in its strike for freedom. by her singular beauty and deep dejection, and In its material and grosser development, its was led from that circumstance to take a note only aim has been redressing wrongs, protestof the occurrence. ing against tyranny, and improving the condi"This is no very circumstantial information, tion of the people; when, marvel of marvels! M. l'Abbe, but it has its worth. Make what use from this conflict of varied interests, there has you please of it, while we, for our part, will con- risen up suddenly a new world, whose charactinue our exertions. ter even was unknown to the majority of those A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 151 who witnessed the triumph. Little did Luther have to seek refuge in some dark corner of the foresee that his aggression on Rome would issue catacombs. in a Magna Charta for the mind of man. Lit- Such, at least, so far as events had then detie did the Convention imagine that it was es- veloped themselves, were Julio's thoughts, as, tablishing modern social rights on an everlast- seated on a bench on deck, he watched the ing granite base; and as little have the Italian steam-boat plowing up swiftly, like a thing of patriots of the present day realized the sublime life, the fair Mediterranean waves. He was fact that while they were crying out for Rome bound for Rome, there to be present at the last as their capital, in the teeth of the ignoble jeal- act in that drama which has been performed ousies of Turin, Naples, Florence, and Milan- since the Middle Ages, and in which the chief each selfishly eager for the distinction-they performer styles himself Vicar of Christ, and were emancipating the Christian faith, which his subordinates cardinals and prelates. Subfor fourteen centuries had been smothered un- sequently Julio designated this expedition a der the white soutane of the Pontifex Maxi- visit to the death-bed of the temporal power. mus. Meanwhile, effort after effort is being madeto stay this glorious upheaving-the crushing of a gigantic power, the effecting a breach in CHAPTER XI. that gorgeous erection of mediaevalism, crowned with gold, but its feet of clay-so effectual that the least after-touch, no matter whence it may WE are now on the imperial mail steamer proceed-whether from a few adventurers or from Marseilles to Civita Vecchia. Julio is volunteers, or even from a simple diplomatic dressed as a layman, in sober black. IHe might note, intimating the discontinuance of the cus- have been taken for a magistrate, a physician, tomary guard at the Castle of St. Angelo-will or a professor, only he made no disguise of suffice to bring down the entire colossal edifice reading his breviary. Consequently the passenin a cloud of dust, shaking the earth with the gers soon found out that he was a priest, a fact crash of its ponderous ruins, and convulsing which he neither concealed nor proclaimed. Europe from the Bosphorus to the Northern Sea. On board was another individual in the full Such is the climax at hand. Pope of Rome, garb of a French priest. It must be confessed, no excommunication or anathemas of yours he did not seem to be engrossed with his brcviwill ever arrest it. The breach is made, and ary, but associated on easy terms with every it is widening daily. Back, if you would not one around him, and made himself a prominent be ground to powder by the ruins. Most Cath- personage; while Julio, on the other hand, in olic majesties and most Christian kings, eldest accordance with his invariable disposition, was sons of the Church, no might of yours will ar- modest and retiring. Moreover, he felt utterly rest it. Your ideas would be in opposition to uncertain as to what might be before him in the spirit of your age, and your white-haired hisjourney, and deemed it wise to reserve himand wiser councilors will tell you this, and tell self for his coming adventures. you, too, that it is idle to govern by ideas. You The Abbe Denis, as the other was named, will never prop up the tottering mass with your had a first-class ticket, and thought a good deal broad shoulders. Pontiffs, back, if you are of the place of honor at the table set apart for wise! Ye who call yourselves apostles and in- him by the captain. sist upon the title, and who, in unfortunate op- The two men were very unlike one another. position to this dogma of yours, establishing your The one was candor itself, the other an imgreatness, have yielded what remained of the personation of cunning, concealed under a mask power of your predecessors to a single bishop, of good humor. The one was of few words, a supreme pontiff, your collective protest will and those quiet and thoughtful; the other could be drowned in the roar of the coming storm. be heard all over the vessel, disputing every The world has turned a deaf ear to you. To topic as it arose, and speaking of every thing all your uproar at Rome it has presented an in- to every one he came across. different front, greeting you with the crushing Julio might have remained six months on answer that you do not understand your age. board without addressing a single soul, unless Away to your churches, to brood a little while circumstances chanced to involve him in a conover the dying embers of the faith. The tri- versation. M. Denis had not been two hours umphs which you dreamed of, gorgeously ar- on deck before he left his part of the vessel, and rayed in your golden mitres, have turned out marched over boldly to where Julio was sitting, other than you looked for. Bishops, bow to the reading his breviary. Accosting him, close at revolution which is passing over papal Rome; his side, with a voice at full pitch, he said, and if among you there be one who has learned "I see you are in orders, sir. I am delightthe meaning of the obedience of Christ, let him ed to know it. I shall not be the only priest tell your brother at Rome that he will do wise- on board." ly, if he would retain a shred of his greatness, And, continuing the conversation, to accept the magnificent presbytery of the Vat- "Of course you are going to Rome?" ican; for on the day when popular fury bursts "To Italy, at all events." from its restraint, the successor of St. Peter may "Ah! I'm bound for a long journey. I 152 UNDER THE BAN. mean to make a tour of the Peninsula, town spinning a tremendous yarn to you, and you after town. Such a trip at this particular time have listened to my jabber with the most exis deeply interesting." emplary patience. Unhappily, loquacity is my And, without giving Julio time to answer, he weak point; yet it is one's only diversion on a seated himself near him, and gave him a detail- journey. You may talk about any thing. Might ed account of his history, from the moment of I ask you to what diocese you belong?" his birth to that hour; the genealogy of the "The diocese of T —, M. l'Abb." Denis family; his studies under the Jesuits; "You don't mean to say so? an old town his theological course at the Lyons seminary; that; very celebrated. A Capitol in it, isn't the various curacies he had held, including the there?" last; his extreme dissatisfaction with the car- Julio couldn't help smiling. "The fellow dinal archbishop, who had been so very ill- has missed his line," he said to himself; "he behaved as to coop him up in an out-of-the-way was born a commercial traveler." corner of the diocese; his grievances against "You were a curate in the town, I suppose?" the reverend fathers, who had promised to be- "No, I had a parish of my own in the Pyrfriend him in return for some services he had enees." rendered them; and, finally, his resolve to have "Ah! fine country that, but terribly sharp a peep at the world, an idea which he was in a winters, I am told. Am I right?" position to carry out, as lie had had the wit to "Not so very sharp." save money for some years, while a great-uncle, "And, if I am not taking too great a liberty, whom Nature had kindly bestowed upon him your name?" as a cashier, and who had spoiled him from a " Is of no importance whatever." baby, had been so good as to line his purse for " Still-" this wonderful journey, in which he anticipated "Julio de la Claviire." such unqualified enjoyment. As far as he was "Julio! Julio! wait a minute. Surely I concerned, he wished to study the various so- know that name. Stay, don't let me forget. cial, political, religious, and administrative ques- Might you be the author of a famous pamphlet tions which might come under his eye; to do I bought at Lyons, called The Jesuits Unveiled?" Etruscan and Roman architecture; to visit the "I am, sir." great schools of sculpture and painting; to have "Is it possible? what a happiness! Why, I a fling at geology, coin-ology, and botany, and, am fated to have lucky meetings. Well, here's if he had a chance, a little taste of agriculture, a chance for me, to encounter the veritable abbe Already our friend had drained the Pontine who gave the Jesuits that tremendous castigaMarshes, annihilated the malaria, covered the tion." desert round Rome with blooming villas, deep- "A well-deserved one." ened the bed of the Tiber, enthroned Victor "I should just think so; too well deserved. Emmanuel on the Quirinal, and the Pope in Oh, the scamps, I don't love them a bit better happy contentment at the Vatican (having pre- than you do. Our Lyons clergy hate and deviously arranged an amicable meeting between test them, and they us. There's no love lost the two for the exchange of the royal accolade), between us, I assure you. The cardinal is afraid freed forever from the cares of empire, and of them. Don't they just catch it at our clerical broken loose from his beloved Antonelli. reunions!" To all this verbal torrent Julio submitted "'I differ from you there. I respect them as quietly, almost coldly; not, however, without a priests, because, as a rule, they deserve to be retouch of that French curiosity which is ever spected. What I complain of is the dangerous ready for news. spirit of their order." What has just been related transpired on "Quite so, quite so; exactly what I meant deck on the morning of their embarkation, to say. Oh, I thoroughly went with you while while the red cliffs of Provence were slowly re- I read your book. But they are not all of them ceding with their sharp indented edges, which saints; there are some tolerably free and easy assumed in the distance the appearance of old specimens among them, I give you my word for ruined cities rising from a conflagration. it." The Abbe Denis came and went as and where "I don't altogether agree with you." he pleased; chatted with, the captain as though "You are very charitable, then, that's all I he had known him for twenty years; was won- can say. They are fellows whom you'll never drously polite to the ladies; profoundly obse- fathom till you know them inside out." quious to his elders, and merry and off-hand The everlasting Abbe Denis came back again with those of his own age, or any whom he took in the evening. to be younger than himself. "We have been talking about you at dinner," In the afternoon he returned to his old place he said. " The captain has read your book, and by Julio. says it's a stinging bit of print. There were a " Here I am again, my dear abbe." few suspicious-looking parties present, who made The acquaintance had evidently developed wry faces, I can tell you. But he and I fought rapidly. for you. One must never be cowardly to one's "Upon my word," he continued, " you have friends.' Whoso toucheth you toucheth the aptaken my fancy mightily. Here have I been ple of mine eye.' Now, what do you suppose a A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 153 country squire sort of fellow, who is on a Jesuit ice, ready to help him, if not by efforts-for up mission to Rome, had the impudence to say? to that time there had been no result from the Why, he called the book'a wretched pamphlet.' search - at all events, by advice gathered from'A what pamphlet?' I cried out, as quick as need his experience of the Roman States. be, flooring my friend with a look he didn't ad- "In this country," he said, "ours are almost mire. Most probably he is going to enlist in the only police; but they are very active at the Pontifical Zouaves. By the way, not such Rome; and if they have failed to trace your a bad notion that of mine. That explains how's sister in the slightest degree, you may depend how. Aristocratic families often have a hang- upon it she has not been brought there, or, at er-on they don't know what to do with, and so all events, she made no stay there. It is very they tell him to go and be a Pontifical Zouave. rare that a strange face-least of all a woman's The Jesuits frank him. The Pope is glad of -escapes us. Moreover, you can easily underhis services. After the ne'er-do-well has had a stand that if, as you suppose, the Jesuits are at rough time of it under Merode, he'll go back, an the bottom of the mischief, they would not be ecclesiastical hero, to his horses and dogs." such bunglers as to bring your sister to a place Julio was utterly taken aback. He couldn't where certainly their influence is supreme, but imagine where this man got his cataract of where, as they know full well, they are closely words, pouring them out with as great ease as a watched. What an idea, for instance, to supfountain its streams of water. pose that a lady who had been treacherously "A queer fellow," he thought. "A conven- kidnapped would be deposited in the convent ient companion, however, for he does all the of the Sacre-Coeur,'alla Trinith del Monte'-a talking. After all, he's not so bad, I fancy." convent incessantly visited by all the fashionaJulio was charitable in the extreme, and dis- ble world, where every thing is carried on in positions like his are never suspicious. They broad daylight, and where no one could be hidare ready with endless excuses for every species den for twenty-four hours! My full conviction, of infirmity or defect. He looked upon the after all the search we have made at Rome, is, priest as an oddity, it was true; but then, he that it is utterly useless for you to go there. It argued, the Lyonnese are naturally communi- would be time and money lost. But, if I am cative and self-satisfied. So he set him down not mistaken, the Jesuits, who have branch esas a specimen of the class, and nothing more. tablishments in every direction, have concealed Unfortunately, this powerful talker was one her in one of the old provincial convents-those of the most inquisitive and imprudent of men. little citadels where every thing is carried'on He managed so well; was so clever at pressing in the style of days gone by, which retain and an inquiry, and contrived to get round Julio in exercise the right of asylum, where the police such a manner that he elicited from him the ob- have no access, and where, beyond all question, ject of his journey, which was to discover his any one might reside forever without being desister, if possible, who, he believed, was in a con- tected. That's what I believe to be the real vent in the Roman States. state of the case, and I do not hesitate to ad"I told you I had good reason not to be fond vise you to be guided by my experience. Don't of the Jesuits. I am not vindictive, but-" go to Rome, unless you wish it for your own "Possibly they have nothing whatever to do pleasure; but make an expedition through the with the affair. Some fanatical fiiends-" country, as a tourist, or an archeologist, or even "My dear abbe, you are very simple. Yes, a genteel peddler, if you like, that you may there is little doubt that they have their devoted have readier access wherever you may desire it. agents. But, believe me, the whole thing was Always speak Italian; you will soon be familcontrived in Loyola's workshop." iar with it. The Pontifical States consist only And Julio kept saying to himself, "What a of four provinces-Civita Vecchia, where we queer fellow he is!" are; Viterba, to the north of us; Frosinona, See, now," said Denis, "if I were you, I south, on the Neapolitan frontier; and Rome, should not go to a dozen places after my sister. in the centre. The whole territory is about fifDepend upon it, she's at Rome, as certainly as ty leagues long by fifteen wide -the extent of we two are on.the Mediterranean; and if I two French departments. It will be easily exwere there, I could soon find out the convent in plored, and just now the roads are safe enough. which she is imprisoned." Go and see plenty of churches. Assume some "Not so easily as you think." character or other-either as a priest, a picture"Wouldn't I, that's all. Why, if it were my seller, or an archeologist paying a visit to the case, I'd ferret out my sister from under the antiquities of the country; in that way, no one very nose of the general himself." will suspect you, and chance, or rather the provJulio began to get tired of the language, style, idence of God, will aid you. The country is and familiarity of his companion. He rose, full of episcopal palaces and convents. Go bowed slightly, and withdrew to his cabin. every where; examine every thing; get to know On reaching Civita Vecchia, his first care the entire establishment in every separate house. was to repair to the agent of the French police, Be cautious. You seem quiet and reserved - for whom he had a letter from the sous-procu- two qualities most indispensable in dealing with reur imperial at T —-. The official, naturally Italians, who are wonderfully sharp, and susmost polite, placed himself entirely at his serv- pect every one they speak to. Good-by for the 154 UNDER THE BAN. present. Come and see me at any time, under ter. However, it's no good trying to serve peoany circumstances. My orders, and those of ple against their inclination. So good-by for all my agents, are positive to assist you by every the present. We shall meet again." means in our power." "Perhaps so." Julio thanked him very cordially, and took "I want to commence my tour in that part lis leave. He had scarcely left the door when of the old Etruria which is renowned for its anthe agent recalled him, and said, in a very low tiquities." tone, "Success, then. Good-by!" "On reflection, I ought to warn you to be The first thing Julio did was to trace out his strictly on your guard in this country, especially journey. He resolved to visit all the country at Rome, if you think of going there. We north of the Roman States-Corneto, Civitella, know that the Jesuits have their police as well Viterba, Civita Castellana, and the districts adas ourselves. They are doubtless aware at this joining them. Then he would go southward, present moment that you are in Italy. It is to Tivoli, Velletri, Terracina, and Frosinona. their interest to ruin you. If you were a lay- Slightly changing his dress, he assumed the man, you might defy them in every thing but disguise of an itinerant dealer. His next step assassination; but as you are in orders, they was to hunt out one of those shops, frequent in have full power to bring you within reach of large towns, in which relics and devotional treasthe Inquisition. Nothing is simpler than to ures from the Holy Land are exposed for sale. compass the destruction of a priest at Rome. There he purchased a large stock of rosaries in He is charged with some offense beyond the olive-wood and thorn-tree-all blessed at Jerapale of the civil tribunals, and is handed over salem; mother-of-pearl carvings representing to the Holy Office in the name of ecclesiastical scenes in the Gospels, crucifixes, little medals privilege. I have said enough. You under- and crosses-naturally thinking that they would stand me. I may add that the French police procure him a ready entrance into convents, and have no power over that tribunal. Terrible enable him to make accurate inquiries as to the tales are told of it, though it is said to have various persons inside,' without exciting any been worked more mildly since the accession suspicions. of Pius IX.; but don't risk it. And, I beseech Meeting with one of those slight, strong, you, never tell a single soul that I have given quiet horses, admirably adapted for expeditions you this advice. From hearing the Italian like his, he considered himself fully equipped speak with bated breath of the Santa Inquisi- for his journey, and, taking the northern road, zione, even we French have got to feel uncom- repaired to Corneto. fortable about it, and make a point of having Poor Julio had no very encouraging start; nothing to do with it. However, you interest he met every where a most icy reception. Howme deeply. Be discreet and prudent. Good- ever, he managed to get inside one or two conby once more, and God speed you on your vents, and prosecuted his inquiries with considsearch." erable difficulty, and no result. He found the Abbe Denis, too, at Cornetb, ~ —-t —- ~ like a bird of ill omen, installed in the principal hotel of the town. CHAPTER XII. "Ah! my dear fellow," said he, "you're got up in a new style. Why, I'm in the country CONTINUATION OF JULIO S W\TANDERINUGS. of my true sovereign now, so I show my colors TiIE first person Julio encountered on turn- on all possible occasions." ing into the street was the Abbd Denis. "You're a wonderful person altogether," said "Are you starting for Rome?" Julio, and turned on his heel. "Most certainly not." The fact was, the man bothered him. He "I'll lay any thing you've been advised not." liked independence of character in a priest when "Just so." it was combined with refinement and a sense of "Then your friends have humbugged you, propriety, but he had an utter aversion to those and you'll suffer for it." fussy, officious talkers that pass among the cler"Stuff and nonsense! What object could gy as pleasant fellows. Our friend M. Denis they have in humbugging me?" had counted on winning Julio's regard by his "Who can tell? There is such a thing as a free-and-casy manner, and succeeded in securpolice playing two games." ing his contempt. " Oh, I'm not afraid of that." From Corneto our pilgrim proceeded to Tos"Come, you're a bit too close. You have canella, a little town abounding in interest, like just come from the French agent's?" all in that part of the Roman States, as much "How do you know?" from the remains of art to be found on every "Oh, a mere accident." side as from the singular appearance of its me"Well, I have; and he has strongly dis- diaval houses, and especially its square towers suaded me from wasting my time in a fruitless of prodigious height, erected here and there search at Rome." within the walls, and intended, so it was said, "Very well; do as he advises you. But I i to serve as places of protection in civil wars. maintain that your only chance is in that quar- Julio knew that the generality of Italian A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 155 towns boasted their miscellaneous dealers- her priesthood there is so powerful that the half scholar and half broker-who visited large Pontifex Maximus has been estimated the equal houses and convents to collect paintings in en- of an emperor. And when Rome had her popes, amel, medals, old china, bronzes, etc. These her pontiffs of the new faith, converted empermen are thoroughly acquainted with the neigh- ors, like Constantine and his successors, preborhood, and very obliging to strangers, whom served the important title of Pontifex Maximus they hope to allure into the'purchase of some for the sake of the vast revenues and honors atEtruscan vase artistically got up, or some bronzes tached to it. It was not till Gratian that this wrought in imitation of antique, which they ambitious title, which had been arrogated so dehave oxydized themselves, and coolly offer to fiantly in the face of the bishops of Rome, ceased customers as works of the greatest antiquity. to exist. If, at the present day, Rome holds so The cheat is practiced in open day all through much to the idea of perpetuating her mediaeval Italy. Nor is there a solitary town where the state, it is because this strange medley of temfacchini fail to produce some little statue or poral and spiritual power is exactly adapted to other, covered with rust, which they offer, with -her views. The popular notion is that it is the an air of ludicrous solemnity, as a most invalu- popes that are the kings of Rome; a most egreable article. gious error. The sceptre is far before the keys. There was one of these gentlemen in Tosca- His Holiness has an infinitely greater regard nella, a specimen of the class. Certainly he had for his armed escort, the mark of his imperial in some slight degree studied Roman antiquities, dignity, than for the household prelates who are but he was not a bit the richer for that, living, in constant attendance upon him, worrying him as he did, from hand to mouth, on the produce to bless crosses and rosaries. The Pope, in the of what he sold. We may add that he was an zenith of his power in the days of old, was the honest man, in which respect he proved an ex- first sovereign in Europe. And this monarch, ception to the rule, and that he never exhibited as in the case of men of the stamp and characa pretended antiquity. ter of Julius II., deigned to adopt the papal Carlo Vallini received a speedy visit fiom robes under their coat of mail. It was a case Julio on the arrival of the latter at Toscanella. of Ctesar, emperor and sovereign pontiff. Even Our hero purchased a few small antiquities re- our mild and amiable Pius IX., with all his cently dug up in the old necropolis of the town, meekness, would at any moment sacrifice the where the old Romans corn a questionable live- pontifical for the imperial diadem; so don't be lihood by disturbing the dust of their forefathers, astonished at the resoluteness with which our and then entered into conversation with the clerical government are standing aloof from the dealer. Italian party. Pretty much they care for a "You must know the country well, Signor united Italy when they have a far higher interCarlo." est of their own. The union of the pontifical "I think, eccellenza, that during the forty with the prelatical element is more to their adyears that I have lived in this glorious land, I vantage —a fact which you Frenchmen don't have left but little of it unvisited. We are liv- take in, but which we poor Romans, here on the ing over the ruins of a great civilization. Ah! spot, can't help understanding. Our prieststhe Etruscans were a religious, brave, artist- forgive the innocent pun-are fighting for their ic... " altars and hearths." "Quite so; but they interest me less than "Ah! perhaps so. Doubtless this political the present condition of the religious orders in question-" Italy. That's my hobby, you understand. We "Excuse me, eccellenza, all in due time. I can not give our attention to every thing." was saying that ancient Rome had greatly de"Perfectly true, eccellenza. Defend me from veloped the religious element. Her political gentlemen of universal attainments; they know system was largely associated with it; for renothing. I have my hobby too, and I can tell you ligion will suffice for a time as an engine of I pursue it eagerly. It is partly yours, only I popular government. So long as the positive go farther back.'A Jove principium.' I have sciences forbear to poke their noses, spectaclea mass of documents on this great question of bestrid, into every question as it starts up-so theological seminaries, monasteries, nunneries, long as men are free from the fatal tendency to etc., ranging from the remotest date down to criticize and analyze every problem submitted the institution of such establishments under Ca- to their faith, the simplest course to be adopted tholicism, and I shall be delighted to place them by those who hold the reins is to work well on at your service." superstitious fears. That will do for a time "Thank you, signor, only I have not your without having recourse to the dagger and scaflearning. I am merely studying statistical re- fold; but let man once become his own massearches." ter-" "In this MS. you will find some curious "Very true, Signor Carlo; but couldn't things, throwing great light on ancient pagan- you-" ism, and the substitution of the clergy and Chris- "I understand. Well, let us dismiss these tian institutions for the pontificate and priest- general questions. It is not generally known, hood of the old religion. Rome has ever been even by learned men, that ancient Rome had pre-eminently the religious city. Unhappily, twenty times as many temples and shrines ded 156 UNDER THE BAN. icated to the gods as there are in modern Rome i avcatv, you have aivEtv, that is to say, the eterto all the saints in Paradise. If you could ex- nal, the chief. He was the founder of the huplore with me the fourteen districts into which man race-whence his title, the Sower. The the city on the seven hills is divided, or, rather, most celebrated, of his temples was that dedicato speak more correctly, on the ten hills, you ted to "Janus Quadrifrons," where the head of would be amazed at the quantity of temples, his statue was represented with four faces, anfina, delubra, cedes, edicula, consecrated to hea- swering to the four points of the compass; a then deities. In the first, the Porta Cassena, type, you see, of his dignity as the primeval there were four temples-of Isis, of Serapis, of chief." Fortune (goddess of travelers), of Mars, outside Julio felt that he was fairly in for it, as the the walls, besides six cedes and ten a'dicula. The discussion showed no prospect of coming to an second, the Cceli Montium, had five temples- end. He saw that he would have to bring his of Tullus Hostilius, Bacchus, Faunus, Claudius, man, by slow degrees, to a question which interand the goddess Carnea, with eight cedicula." ested him rather more than the twelve great "But all these details-" gods. "Exactly. But to come to the point. The "You were speaking," he observed, "of the third had two temples of Isis and Serapis, lo- religious orders of antiquity." neta, and the famous temple of Concord, with "I was. Faunus, son of Saturn, and king of eight cedicula. The fourth had ten temples. Latium, was the first to institute temples, sacred We need not mention the cedicula." groves, sacrificial altars, and colleges of priests. I"Certainly not, signor. Indeed, you would Of these, the oldest that I can discover is that oblige me-" of the Luperci, who sacrificed to Pan, or the "'The fifth, Esquilina, had seventeen temples, universal God. The college of brethren, called among which was the famous Parthenon. The by Varrow the Arvales, is of very remote date. sixth, Alta Semita, had seventeen. But I am They were established, it is said, by Acca Lauafraid I am exhausting your patience." rentia, the foster-mother of Romulus-a state"You really are; please cut it short." ment of the historians which I take to be a mere "The eighth, that of the Forum, had twenty- false compliment. I could easily show that one temples, ten cedes, and twelve cedicula. You their date was much older. Their number was see, this is most valuable information." twelve; their dress, a white garment and a Julio was more terribly tried than he had wheaten chaplet. Their college is the type of ever been in his life. He was afraid of offend- all religious houses, ancient and modern. I asing the tiresome pedant; however, he couldn't sure you, nothing is changed in Rome except in help interrupting him once more, name. These Luperci, clothed in the skins of "But, my excellent friend-" newly-sacrificed beasts, reappear in our Capu"Please observe that there are many whose chin friends, with their bare feet, and dress in site is as yet unknown to learned men, and appearance very much the same." which we should rejoice to discover, as, for in- Poor Julio was but little interested in all this stance, that of Fortuna Virgo, of Jupiter Victor, learned lore, but he was afraid to venture an inof Juno, of Venus, and of twenty others. I terruption, so anxious was he to arrive at that inhave pursued an eager search, and I can fill a valuable information which he sought from this space in the list by determining where Fortuna living encyclopedia. So he held his tongue, Virilis stood, namely, on the ground now occu- watching for an opportunity to put in a word pied by the column of the Immaculate Concep- here and there by way of recalling his informant tion. What do you think now of that coinci- to the main question. Meanwhile, the antiquary dence?" traveled on, undaunted, in his gratuitous lecture. " That it is full of the deepest interest. At "Then came the college of the Haruspices, the same time-" celebrated in all Etruria, and among the earliest "Patience, eccellenza. I said before that we religious institutions." must advance step by step-an invariable rule "Perhaps you might give me fewer details: in all scientific questions. Now, as for the di- I am most unwilling to encroach upon your vinities themselves, of course you are familiar time." with those lines of Ennius on the twelve deities "Oh! my dear sir, my time is entirely at forming "the sacred college" of Jupiter: your disposal." "Juno, Vesta, Minerva, Ceres, Diana, Venus, Mars, "But mine, Signor Carlo, is very precious.' Mercurius....'Ah! that's another matter. Then I will "Pray excuse me, but-" omit reference to the college of the Flaminians; "The general belief has always been that and, with much regret, the deeply interesting Jupiter was the chief in heaven; but that's a points connected with the Vestals. Those priestmistake. I have investigated that question esses, so venerated in Rome, custodians of the thoroughly, and come to the conclusion that, sacred fire, were the first of the religious female among the Etrurians, the principal deity, the orders, such as the Carmelites of our day." most illustrious, in point of fact, the self-begot- "'Good," thought Julio; "he is coming round ten forefather of all, was Janus, or lanus, a at last. Signor Carlo, I should feel greatly name, most indisputably, of Greek origin. If obliged if you would kindly aid me in investiyou take away the aspirate from the Greek word gating the actual position of the religious orders A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 157 in the Roman States. I am anxious to secureCHAPTER XIII statistical details on this point, for we in France have very hazy notions respecting them."A MEETING. "Most happy; I have it all at my fingers' FURNISHED with his invaluable directory, his ends. At Civita Vecchia there are Franciscans, heart full of hope, he made for Valentano. In Hieronymites, Carmelites, and Capuchins; at that place was a wealthy and powerful BeneCorneto, Benedictines, Carmelites, and Capu- dictine convent. It had a magnificent church, chins. You will find Capuchins every where, enriched with an immense entrance porch, and not to mention Jesuits." built after the designs of Bernini, the pride of "Would you give me a detailed list of the the daughters of St. Benolt; and although after various nunneries?" the French invasion, and under the Republic, "Certainly. I have a tabulated catalogue the monastery had not been so prosperous as of them, arranged according to their localities before, nor yet so numerous or influential in its and various designations. Wait a moment, ec- members, it was still the most flourishing in the cellenza." States of the Church. Julio felt that he must And the interminable old man, putting his commence his search in this quarter, as possibly hand on a huge file of manuscript, drew forth a Louise was there. thick folio, such as he had described. Valentano is a small frontier town, standing " That's exactly what I want, most excellent away from the high road, in the midst of a signor." charming and most healthy country. Some"Then follow my lists carefully. First, you thing told Julio that his heart's treasure was not have the great Benedictine order, whose head- very far off. At all events, it was absolutely quarters are at Mount Cassin. You may study necessary that he should halt here, get admitted all particulars with reference to them-the date into the convent, and see all that he could. of the foundation of their various houses; the But to effect this was his great difficulty. He name of their founder; the revenue of each con- would obtain an interview with the reverend vent-it is all down here. The extensive family mother, offer his goods, and get up a little small of St. Francis is among the largest of any, as be- talk on the various holy places round. He was ing the most popular. Then comes the order clever enough, at all events, to manage that of St. Augustin-all carefully classified, you see. much. Yet even for this he would require If you would like to take more hasty notes, here some nerve. He was not quite so brazen-faced is an abridged summary, compiled, I can assure or talkative as his friend Denis. That evening you, with great trouble. However, a good cata- he wandered about from room to room of the logue is as valuable as a good book. Here are Osteria della Campa, where he had established the details you ask-Augustines, Benedictines, himself, like a troubled spirit, not knowing what Capuchins, Carmelites, Cistercians, etc., etc. I saint to invoke to aid him in obtaining details have added in an Appendix the more recent as- as to the peIsonnel of the Benedictine establishsociations-the Sacre-Cceur; the Sisters of St. ment. Vincent de Paul, of St. Charles, of St. Thomas At length he rang up the landlord. de Villeneuve, of St. Joseph, etc., etc." "You have a splendid convent here." "A most admirable work, and highly credita- "Yes, very splendid, signor." ble to your talents and perseverance. May I "Plenty of members?" take a few notes?" "Twelve nuns; eight lay sisters." "Most certainly, eccellenza." "The nuns-do they all belong to this counAnd Julio, confident at last of getting the try?" fullest possible information, took down carefully "I don't understand you." the position of all the nunneries in the Roman "Any foreigners among them?" States. " Possibly; we outsiders know nothing about "You have been quick about it, eccellenza. them." Said in a dry tone, intimating a desire And as to payment, if you will take these little to stop the cross-examination. statuettes, that will settle every thing between "He is a Piedmontese spy," thought the us." landlord. And this was the humble issue of his endless Julio had no better luck with the landlady, a discourse on days and things gone by. The an- plump young woman, ensconced in a sort of tiquarian topic at an end, he was a poor dealer large sofa. All he could get out of her was, again. Julio made some purchases as a matter "We know nothing at all about it, signor." of form, and paid him whatever he asked. "He is an anti-convent gentleman," she said The accurate information he had just received to herself-" a revolutionary agent." convinced him that he must continue his present It even struck her that it would be as well if route; accordingly, he started for Valentano. she crossed herself. She was a penitent of FaJust as he was leaving the Albergo Nuovo, a ther Antonio, the Benedictine confessor. head popped out of an upper window of the ho- Julio returned to his apartment thoroughly tel. It belonged to the Abbe Denis. disheartened. A sharp, active girl, with an in" Pleasant journey, dear abbe." telligent eye, was bringing some cold water and "That fellow haunts me like my own shad- sugar which he had ordered. What if he enow," muttered Julio, not over-pleased. tered into conversation with her? She was 158 UNDER THE BAN. sure to be well informed. He resolved to do "How d'ye do, M. l'Abbd? How are you so. getting on? Have you succeeded in your "Tell me, my good girl-you belong to Va- search?" lentano, don't you?" It is needless to say whose voice it was. "Yes, signor." Gentle and affable as Julio usually was, there "A beautiful place! and what a fine convent were moments in which he found it difficult to it has!" restrain his impatience. He hastened forward. "Oh, the exterior is nothing, signor; you " Sir, may I ask what my affairs have to do should see the inside. The splendid cloister- with you? I should be exceedingly obliged if the glorious paintings! That's the place for you would have the goodness to desist from sweet Madonnas! The walls of the Church are shouting after me'M. l'Abbe' in every town I all gilded, and the nuns' rooms are so beauti- pass through. Singular though it may be that fully decorated! they are like little chapels! our journeys coincide so exactly, oblige me by Oh, they are happy creatures, that they are!" treating me as a stranger henceforth." "Then you've been there occasionally?" This was a mistake on Julio's part. It was "Occasionally! over and over again! I left not necessary to make an enemy of a fellowit a week ago. I was engaged to wait upon a countryman, who, after all, had as full a right young lady who had come there from Rome by as himself to pay a visit to the mountains of the doctor's order. This is a very healthy coun- Etruria. try, signor, you see." "I won't call you'abbe' any longer. Good"Was she tall?" by, sir. Perhaps we shall meet again." "Yes, very tall." The words were spoken in a tone sufficiently "And beautiful?" bitter and inimical to have put our hero on his "Yes, as beautiful as a Madonna." guard. " Could she speak Italian?" The next day Julio presented himself to the "Not a word. So we couldn't understand reverend mother at the convent. each other. A great pity, wasn't it, signor? Aft- She was about fifty-five, with a mild clear er I had been there three days, the reverend eye, delicate rosy lips, an ashy complexion-the mother told me I was very stupid, and couldn't only mark of beauty's decay in the shadow of get on with the young lady at all; and I was the cloister-a perfectly smooth brow, most unsent about my business. Fortunately for me, I deniable hands, and an air of chaste tranquilgot this place-a very good one." lity. The gracefulBenedictine might have sat "Could the.lady speak French?" to a master, and his task would have been a "I think so." worthy one. "You don't happen to know her name?" She received Julio with a graceful reserve, "I heard it two or three times, but I've for- habitual to well-trained ladies in the presence gotten it." of strangers. " Wasn't it Louise?" "I have brought you, reverend mother, some "I fancy it was. She looked very sad, very sacred reminiscences of the Holy Land. I have weary, and very white. Her chest, they said, rosaries made out of olive-wood from the Garwas diseased." den of Olives, by the venerable Franciscan proThis was all the information Julio could get prietors of the place. They have surrounded out of the girl. the spot with a wall. Some of the trees are "Good evening, signor," she said, as she said to be so old as to warrant the belief that withdrew with a bright smile. they were standing in our Lord's time. I can "Tall-beautiful-and perhaps her name is vouch for the accuracy of all my assertions." Louise. Why, that must be my sister! Chest This little address was delivered in such a affected! mountain air ordered by the doctors! straightforward tone of voice, and the air of the that's all a make-up of the Jesuits to account speaker was so thoroughly truthful, that the for her removal. Doesn't know a word of Ital- lady superior proceeded at once to inspect his ian. Had she staid at Rome or any other town, treasures, which he proceeded to spread out on she would have picked up enough to make this a round mosaic table from Florence, of great servant understand her. It's Louise! it's Lou- value, and which, with a few easy-chairs, covise!" ered with white silk, embroidered with flowers, And in the delirium of joy which the convic- constituted the furniture of the room. As his tion brought, he began pacing his apartment taste was excellent, he had selected from the with feverish steps. shop at Civita Vecchia several articles of artist"This room is so stuffy, it's enough to suffo- ic merit, on the chance of being able to dispose cate one. Bah! let's have some fresh air." of them during his adventurous expedition. The night was coming on, but it wasn't dark Among these were some beautiful mother-ofyet. He passed the entrance of the church, pearl carvings; elegant reliquiaries, the relics which opened on the small but well-built public themselves, however, being of very dubious oriplace. Thence he plunged into some narrow gin-as, for instance, a few hairs of the Virgin, streets round the monastery. On his return to some camel's-hair from the girdle of John the the "place" a voice greeted him from the church Baptist, a piece of St. Anne's sandals, and of porch. the manger at Bethlehem. The lady appeared A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 159 desirous of purchasing the whole stock-which And bowing with marked coldness, she left would not have been at all convenient to our the poor fellow to pack up his wares, and withhero-so delighted was she with every thing she drew through an inner door. A lay sister essaw. At a signal from her, all the nuns, who corted him to the entrance, and shut the gate were having their usual recreation in the clois- behind him. ter, flocked in. No sooner was he gone than the reverend "Oh, mother,mother,what beautiful rosaries!" mother made strict inquiries, through Father "What exquisite things!" Antonio, as to who and what he was. Among "Oh, do look at those charming reliquiaries! other things, his conversation with his landlord How sweet they'd look on the altar of the Ma- and landlady convinced her that he was the galdonna! Wouldn't they, Sister Agnes?" lant against whom she had been warned. "Won't you buy some of those lovely mother- If Julio was intensely disgusted at his ill of-pearl things, mother?" success, he was not the less delighted at the Julio looked about him with eager eyes. thought that his treasure was in that convent. There were a few lovely Roman girls among I"What though I have to climb the walls," he them, innocently indulging, in this brief oppor- said to himself, "'to throw myself headlong into tunity permitted them of intercourse with a the place, to terrify every one I may meet on stranger-only a peddler after all-that desire my way to my sister's apartments, I don't care. to please which is the charm of the sex. Not- All I have to do is to say out loud, that every withstanding his strange disguise, Julio had one may hear,'I am after my sister, my beloved the dignified mien of a high-born gentleman. sister, who has been torn from my arms by inThough he could assume a humble dress, he human wretches.' All Valentano will be on could not lay aside his thoughtful and refined my side." expression, his gentle and polished tone of His idea was spirited and worthy of himself. voice, and that unmistakable air of good breed- At first he saw only the chivalrous side of the ing which is so easily detected. His very si- question. On reflection, however, he discovered lence, his bashfulness, the evident indifference how great were the difficulties in his way; and, with which he offered his various goods for sale, as often happens in similar cases, he passed at gave him at once the appearance of a disguised once from his first enthusiasm to all the uncerlover, waiting for an opportunity to bestow a tainty of mistrust. glance or a letter on some gentle damsel by Supposing he were to make an attempt to get stern parental decree consigned to the cloister. into the place, the police would be after him, He was not likely to be easily forgotten at the he would be caught in the act, tried with closed convent. doors, and then the galleys, and a long farewell Having taken in every face before him, he to his promising scheme. Would it not be more saw at once that they were all strangers. But prudent, he thought, to ascertain for a certainty where was Louise? Possibly she was not in whether Louise was there or not? That point the cloister with the others; she might be con- once decided in the affirmative, the French emfined in her apartment. Perhaps she was real- bassador would soon settle the rest, more espely ill, after all. His heart was so strangely dis- cially in a country where, through the powerful turbed that he could scarcely reply to the va- influence of the Jesuits, his unaided personal efrious questions put to him. Not wishing to sell forts would be *of little or no use. his goods, he had put an outrageous price upon It was a sensible line of conduct, and Julio them; but this only made the lady superior resolved upon it. Meanwhile a bright idea sudmore eager to purchase. At length a selection denly occurred to him. was made; she had already opened her purse. "I will write to her. A little gold will alWhat was he to do? what could he say, in or- ways find a trusty messenger in Italy. I am in der to get a peep at the stranger? How was a country of adventures, so I must be up to the he to manage it? As to leaving the place with- spirit of'the thing. Bravo! E'tiplca!" out making some effort in the matter, that was And, taking his pen, he indited the following out of the question. He lifted up his heart letter: in secret prayer, and then summoned courage "DEAR LOISE, —Here I am, close to you, enough to say, in a tolerably calm tone of voice, at Valentano. Oh, how wretched I have been though not without betraying in some measure since you left St. Aventin! You, too, must have his inward excitement, suffered terribly. However, I have found you "If the young lady who has been staying out at last. The French police have been makhere for some time would like-" ing vain inquiries after you, though they sueThe lady superior eyed him sternly. ceeded in ascertaining that, on quitting Mar"How do you know, sir, that we have any such seilles, you sailed for Civita Vecchia with two young lady here? Sisters, you may retire; you nuns. Just see how a gracious God has led me are a spy, sir; your agitation betrays you; pray here, and let us thank him together. You had have the goodness to leave this place. We have better acquaint the reverend mother with your already been advised, in a letter from Rome, determination to see me at any risk. Meanthat there was a person on the track of the while, be patient; the French embassador will young lady whom her family have intrusted to put every thing right. our care." "Your loving brother, JULIO." 160 UNDER THE BAN. Having written his letter, his next step was with the all-absorbing topic. Well, they would to find a clever and trusty messenger. The soon know all about it-that was one comfort. young servant occurred to him: he summoned But to return to Julio. Minutes seemed her to his apartment on pretense of wanting years to him while he waited for a reply. Howsome refreshment. ever, his faithful envoy soon returned, and, pro"Here is a Sold piece for you," he said, "if ducing a little note, said, you will undertake to deliver this letter into the "Here is the answer, sir; and now for my hands of the young lady you mentioned to me. second gold piece." Can you do this?" His hand shook as he drew out his purse and " Nothing easier, sir. Sister Scolastica, who gave her the money. The letter was addressed is very fond of me, will admit me at once to her to M. Julio de la Claviire. room." "It's not in my sister's handwriting," he said, "Very well. Bring me an answer, and I'll as he opened the envelope and read, double the reward." double the reward." " M. Julio de la Clavinre is requested to have The girl reached the convent at the same The girl reached the convent at the same the goodness to call at the convent. I have a time as Julio had arrived the evening before —com io to to h n hc e while the nuns were taking exercise in the clois-comm caon t in whihe is ter. She rang the bell, asked for Sister Scolas- ersonally interested. tica, slipped quietly into the parlor, and entreated her friend to let her see the lady whom she "Thank God!" he exclaimed; "Louise is had previously waited on, that she might give mine again." her the nosegay of flowers in her hand. Sister Unable to control his delight, he cleared the Scolastica, being old, deaf, and half blind-the distance between the osteria and the convent alonly one in the convent, perhaps, who was not most at one leap. The lay sister was waiting full of Julio's visit-saw no reasonable objec- his arrival, and admitted him at once. tion to humoring what appeared to her a mere In the parlor he found the reverend mother childish fancy, and conducted the girl to the and a pale, sickly young lady. stranger's apartment. He bowed reverentially. The lady received There is a little of the Sabine clement in the him with a gracious smile. Roman blood. The affair of the handsome ped- "Do you recognize Mademoiselle Louise de dler-for such was Julio's title at the convent- la Claviere?" she asked. had taken violent hold of the Benedictine brain. "No, reverend mother; that young lady is What if he succeeded in forcing an entrance! not my sister." "My lady's chamber" was in a secluded part of "You see I had wronged you by an unjust the building, and opened on to the garden. Sup- suspicion, and was anxious to repair the injury pose they were in league together! Only fancy, in good faith. I saw at once that you were no a scaling-ladder and accomplices! The whole traveling peddler, but I took you for an enterthing was a drama to their Italian minds, but prising lover, with a ladder of ropes in his eye; a drama of the highest and most praiseworthy and now I find you to be an honorable gentlecharacter. "She is a happy girl to have a lov- man. So I was anxious to convince you that er," said some of them in a very, very under- your sister was not here." tone. What a blessing to hear the words, "I It would be idle to attempt to picture Julio's have rescued you," from a lover's lips! There disappointment and vexation. However, he is always a nameless something in a convent thanked the lady superior most cordially, and, which, even in the minds of those who have as soon as he had returned to his hotel, packed entered it most willingly, enhances the idea of up one of his most beautiful mother-of-pearl freedom. The young sisters could think of carvings, and directed it to her in these words: nothing short of an elopement. "From a wanderer in search of his sister, to the They kept saying to themselves that some- reverend mother Theresa." thing or other would happen soon. A lover, they agreed, is not soon defeated. There are a thousand other disguises for the handsome dealer-a thousand other available schemes. CHAPTER XIV. A romance was about to be acted under their very eyes. True, they were not allowed to read JULIO'S TRAVELS CONTINUED. novels, but here was one coming on, with their THE next day Julio set out for Aquapendente, convent for its stage. How glorious! some- a small town charmingly situated on the edge thing new, at all events. of the Lake of Bolsena. The road was very All that evening, all the next day, the young- bad, but the scenery around was most lovelyer sisters were on the tiptoe of feverish expecta- mountains rising on every side, and cascades tion. Their eyes and thoughts were constantly trickling down from their summits into the lake turning to the door and that delicious parlor, at their feet. Dejected as Julio was, he could the only cranny through which the world was not but enjoy the scenery, though it was neither allowed to peep in. When Sister Scolastica so pleasing nor yet so fertile as the Pyrenees. was sent for, their woman's instinct told them Unfortunately, the Apennine chain is very bare. that the summons had some connection or other But few forests are to be found in it; still, the A SEQUESTRATION' IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 161 distant landscapes are exceedingly beautiful, "You are persisting in a mistake. You are such as painters delight in, presenting many a bent on going north when you ought to go perfect picture, exquisitely harmonious, grace- south. You will be sure to find her at Rome." ful, and complete. In the Pyrenees a man is The handwriting was unknown to him, but like a mouse, running in and out among the the sentiment was what the Abbe Denis had stupendous piles erecting their terrible heads been good enough to impart to him more than above him. Here the elevations are less ab- once before. rupt, and the outlines are softened down into So he had followed him to Aquapendente. smooth and rounded forms, while man, instead Was this a mere chance, a mere accident of of being overwhelmed by the might of Nature, travel, or had the fellow a private object in urgappears as her royal master. ing him to follow the advice he was so everlastThere is no resemblance at all between the ingly reiterating. Pyreneean and Apennine lakes. The former There was evidently some secret in the matare generally at a great height, girt round by ter, though as yet Julio failed to suspect any snow-clad pine forests, inexhaustible reservoirs thing. of those cool, clear floods which they are ever At Torruccia the Dominicans received him pouring down into the valley. The Apennine very unfavorably. He met M. Denis in the lakes, on the other hand, are generally found in public square, and received a cordial greeting low latitudes. Their stream is feeble; some of from him with a loud shout as he turned his them, indeed, resemble little inland seas, as, for back, example, the Lake of Perouse. Moreover, from "You are particularly fond of the North, the warmth of the temperature incidental to their sir." position, there are numerous dwellings on their At Orvieto the Benedictines refused even to banks. Agriculture flourishes, the winters are see him. The lady superior of the Carmelites, very mild, and the summers cool; whereas the however, was just a thought more civil; admitPyreneean lake, with its wild and desolate sur- ted him to her presence, bought a rosary, but roundings, is a deserted spot. Scarcely a hut declined conversation. even is to be seen near its shores. A few tour- At Bagnorea the Franciscan nuns were not ists and herdsmen are its sole visitants, and that over-gracious. They were much obliged to him only for four months in the year. The rest all the same, but they had plenty of rosaries of the time it is frozen over, and swathed in a which they were in the habit of selling themshroud of snow, which frequently rends the con- selves. So it was a case of two of a trade. gealed crust till the violent summer heats ar- There, too, turned up friend Denis. rive, when the whole mass breaks up with a ter- The idea was perpetually occurring to him as rible crash, and hurls itself, in tremendous frag- he left these various places, "Who knows but I ments, down the furious torrents, which are thus am leaving my beloved Louise behind me, withsupplied with their volume. in these high walls which I have been unable to All which observation Julio summed up by penetrate?" reflecting that the quiet, hospitable Apennines At Montefiascone there was the same failure, were better adaptedfor inhabiting, the wild, ter- the same difficulty about gaining admission, the rible Pyrenees for sketching; while the tremen- same imperfect researches, and the same dedous and the eternal are more strikingly mani- spondency at the result. As he turned a corfested in the latter than the former, with their ner he almost rushed into the arms of his shadracing hurricanes and impetuous storms. ow. How willingly would he at that moment, had "My good fellow, pray take care; you put he recovered his sister, have pitched his tent one's bones in peril by that reckless style of with grateful joy in one of those unknown vil- walking. See, now, you would never believe lages on the western bank of the Lake of Bol- that I was a friend of yours. Well, I say again, sena! and mark my words if they don't come true, you He had no difficulty in inquiring among the will never find the object of your search in these Christians and Capuchins of Aquapendente. mountain convents. Why won't you go to There all was quiet as in the dimmest and re- Rome?" motest past. In that uninvaded corner of the "Thank you," said Julio, dryly, as he moved world, where civilization was still in its antedi- off. luvian stage, no stir of circumstance occurred. He had an instinctive aversion to this man Many a long day had passed since a stranger and his officious suggestions, and whether from had set foot within those convent walls. "What a simple determination to adhere to his original could this traveler want there?" was the ques- plan, or from confidence in the good judgment tion that passed wonderingly from lip to lip. and sound advice of the French agent who had Julio was believed to be a poor half-witted wan- received him so warmly at Civita Vecchia, or derer, crossed in love. The people soon saw from a wish to defy the impertinent fellow who that his heart was not in his basket of wares. had so offensively dogged his steps, he made He was a bad hand at peddler's work. not the slightest deviation from his old route. As he left Aquapendente, a little note was His next point was Viterba, along the old Via placed in his hands containing the following Cassia, replete with interesting relics of antiqwords: I ity. L 162 UNDER THE BAN. It was full of convents; a curious old place; that in this particular case the landlord was one of those ancient Italian towns, thickly stud- quite conversational and abundant in details. ded, in the time of the Middle Ages, with queer Politeness went so far, indeed, as to dub him out-of-the-way buildings. Julio alighted at the "Excellence." Hotel Franceschini. He had'observed the Abbe Dressed in a frock-coat of fine cloth, with a Denis several times in the streets, but had not paletot over it, he threaded the streets of the spoken to him. little town, and reached the large old Etruscan His success here was better than in the other burying-ground. The earth had been turned towns, thanks to the assistance of a young priest, up in several places, a thing which frequently a prebend of the cathedral, who gave him the happens in Italy, by students, in search of those fullest possible details on the points about which vases and other antiquities which decorate the he inquired. Satisfied that he might do so with museums of Europe, more especially those of safety, he told him his whole history, and the Naples, Rome, and Florence. good canon, warmly sympathizing with him in The Etruscan tombs are very deep. You go his trouble, joined cordially in the search. How- down into them by a long staircase of hewn ever, it was soon ascertained that there had been stone, open to the sky. A rude door opens into no recent admission into any of the convents in the vault, which is hewn out of the solid rock. Viterba. Occasionally columns of an eccentric character, "I quite agree with the advice of the French and belonging to no order of Grecian architectagent," said the canon on parting. "You won't ure whatever, support the ceiling, which slopes find her in the large towns. I fancy they must down on both sides, displaying at intervals woodhave hidden her in some out-of-the-way corner." en girders. The bodies are placed in sarcophAnd Julio left for Vetrala, a very small town agi, on the lid of which might often be seen a to the south. portrait of the deceased tenant, precisely like It was Tuesday, November 20th, 1860. The the medixval tombs in our churches and catheweather was still glorious, for in that beautiful drals. country the autumn is of long duration. On The scene was by no means new to Julio. reaching the only hotel of any size in the place, However, as he crossed the cemetery, he was he set to work at once with his usual inquiries, struck by the entrance of one of the vaults, skillfully proposed. which was unusually grotesque, and descended "There's a Clarissan and Dominican con- the steep, half-broken staircase to study it more vent here, sir," said the landlord, "and two miles minutely. Taking out a small album, he set to off a fine house of the Benedictines of Notre work to make a sketch of it. Dame de Forcassi; to-morrow is the feast of He had scarcely begun to draw when he the patron saint. There will be grand music heard a voice overhead. and a large attendance. All the gentry round " So, Monsieur l'Abb —I beg pardon, monwill be present." sieur, only-you have given over selling." Julio had a long conversation with him about Julio looked round and looked up. It was the religious houses at Vetrala, and gleaned the his dear old friend Denis. intelligence, by the way, that no new member "I have followed your example myself," he had been admitted into any of them, to his continued. knowledge, for a long time. And truly the young gentleman was sprucely "Nor at Notre Dame de Forcassi?" attired. He had brought round in front the "Least likely of all. It's a most retired hair which he used to arrange behind his ears, spot, out of the way of all communication, un- and, with a cane in his hand, looked the very less, indeed, you go by the road from Corneto to picture of one of those men who, with little Viterba, which is in a wretched condition and enough breeding about them, have a sort of litvery badly kept." erary and educational polish. Julio determined to be present at the festival "I can not compliment you on your change the next day, if it was only to witness the cere- of dress," said Julio; "it's not becoming." mony. As he had still a few hours of daylight " Sorry to hear it. I'm freer to do what I after dinner, he betook himself to an old ceme- please in it, that's all; just your case, I fancy." tery north of the town, which the landlord had "Just so. But would you be good enough mentioned as possessing great antiquarian in- to tell me whether you are following me in this terest. way in fulfillment of a vow to that effect?" From the time of his discomfiture at Monte- "Well, yes, if you like," said Denis, in a merfiascone, he resolved to lay aside all disguise, ry off-hand manner. "The fact is, I want to and had accordingly packed up his peddler's see how far obstinacy will carry a man.'Pon dress in his traveling bag. my soul, you amuse me. Take my word for it, "Let me assume my own proper character," if I were out sister-hunting, it wouldn't be at he said to himself; and accordingly, from that the ends of the earth-at Vetrala, for instance, time, he was a French traveler visiting the that I should expect to find her-just fancy, at country, and studying its various objects of in- Vetrala. There are cats there, and nothing terest. else. I engage you mean to spend to-morrow He was not long in finding out that he was at Forcassi. Go, by all means, my fine fellow, all the better received at the various hotels, and and much good may it do you. Why, you A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 163 must be mad. I'm sick to death of urging you to in their hands, surrounded her. Then followed go to Rome. Yet, as it is the only advice I can the Benedictines, but no farther than the cloisgive you, I must repeat it at any risk, and make ter. Arrived at the end of it, they passed into my bow. I am obliged to take my quarters in the choir, separated from the rest of the church the same hotel as yourself, for the very excel- by a carved wooden railing, and covered at the lent reason that there's only one in the place, back with fine cloth, thin enough to admit of otherwise I would have spared you the annoy- those in the nave seeing distinctly the moveance of being under the same roof with myself. ments of the nuns, without being able to distinTo-morrow we go to Forcassi. IIa! ha!" guish their faces. The church itself, a gorgeous building, was covered with paintings by Frocaccini, and exhibited also a canvas of Leonardo da Vinci's, CHAPTER XV. and a Holy Family supposed to be by Raphael. The painting over the high altar represented the Purification. The humorous artist had depictTHE Forcassi madonna is the most renowned ed the' two turtle-doves in a basket covered with in Italy. It is of black wood, or more probably calico. A child in attendance on the highof wood painted black, like the Virgin of Loret- priest, more disposed for fun than solemnities, to, and, like it, is believed to be the handiwork is in the act of lifting a corner of the cloth, and of St. Luke, who, be it observed, never was a inserting his fat finger, an intrusion which the sculptor, while the Mosaic creed of his youth doves resent by vigorous pecking. must have given him a horror of images. But Unfortunately, the sculptured portion of the trifles such as these are no obstacles to faith in church was hidden, according to custom, by a tradition in the Roman States. It has a good flaring silk hangings. Festoons of boughs and effect to say of a statue that it has been painted blossoms were suspended along the cornices, or carved by St. Luke, so why not say it? and the pavement of the nave was strewn with More fortunate than the Virgin Mother her- flowers and sweet herbs. self, her wooden representative was famous for The entire front of the building was covered innumerable miracles. The shrine was loaded with little glasses of various colors, intended for with dedicatory gifts. No temple of Esculapius an illumination after dark. had ever received such a costly and unlimited The interior of the nave, from the railing to abundance of lamps, chandeliers, and jewels, the first bar of the arch, was set apart for visitstudded with precious stones, as fell to the lot ors of distinction. A large orchestra was occuof the powerful Forcassi madonna, the univer- pied by one hundred and fifty musicians, all sal healer. Chiefly conspicuous in her posses- amateurs, but fully qualified to rival the most sions is her extensive wardrobe of seven dresses, talented professionals. The religious music of each richer than the other, and providing her Italy is undeniable; the church services are, in with a fresh dress for every day of the week. In point of fact, as good as concerts. the eighteenth century, at the solemn festivals, The morning service on the present occasion more especially that of the 21st of November, was almost interminable. In addition to the inwhich we are about to attend, she was got up cessant contributions from the organ-loft, there gorgeously in the latest fashion, with a most was a sermon to be undergone; being in Italian, touching perruque of powdered, frizzled flaxen however, it was a novelty to Julio. The preachhair, and duly perfumed and arrayed in com- er of the day had selected for his subject the neplete French style. Crinolines being now the cessity of giving the heart to the Virgin, and had rage, even in the remotest hamlet of Italy, a divided his discourse into two parts. The longday will come when the lady at Forcassi will est was again subdivided into the advantages atdecline appearing without one. So much of tendant on the observance of this duty, and the modern progress and reform will certainly be punishment consequent on its neglect. The allowed. Indeed, it is already working its way second part was occupied with the story of a rapidly. Since 1855, it was our good fortune princess, passing fair, who had given herself body to witness in a chapel in one of the southern and soul to the Virgin. Both her brothers havtowns, during the month of Mary, a madonna ing died, she became her father's heir; and he, arrayed in steel surroundings, whose majestic regardless of her aversion to all gentlemen in amplitude went to our heart, general, and this one in particular, promised her Be it put on record, to the honor of the Ben- in marriage to a neighboring prince. Handedictine nuns, that in the year of grace 1860- some though the scion of royalty was, she would of unhappy memory to the lovers of the tempo- not let him come rfear her. On the night beral power-the Forcassi madonna, albeit superb- fore that appointed for her marriage, she went ly invested with ribbons, lace, and jewels, was into the chapel of the Virgin, crying bitterly, defective in that one point. She was without and entreating her to help her out of her diffi-..... Well, never mind. Julio got a near culty. Immediately a leprosy covered her from view of her on the shoulders of twelve peasants, head to foot, and the once shining beauty bewho bore her along on a stately throne marvel- came, in appearance at least, very disagreeable. ously adorned. Young village girls, dressed in With this touching climax, the orator brought white, and crowned with flowers, with wax tapers his performance to a conclusion. All present 164 UNDER THE BAN. fell on their knees. It's the right sort of thing And, stepping forward, his eye darting fire, in Italy to cry during the sermon; so they wept, his hair flying wildly about, his arm stretched shouted, struck their breasts, and, though the out like an iron bar, he seized violent hold of connection was not very evident, pledged them- the curiously -wrought doors communicating selves generally never to do any thing wrong any with the Benedictine choir, and flung them more. open, shattering them to pieces. Spurning the Down comes the preacher from his pulpit, fragments with his feet, he pressed on, while the and then farewell to bursting sobs and anguish people in the nave saw the young French girl of heart. The agitated weepers cast inquiring spring forward, at the first sound of her brothlooks around, and exchange smiles. The per- er's voice, into his extended arms. formance of the day opens with music. Grasping her hand in the presence of the petSuch was the impressive scene which for rifled nuns, he crossed the sanctuary, and pothree mortal hours the wretched Julio had to litely requested the congregation to make room witness. By elbowing his way a little, he had for them, as they wished to leave the church. contrived to reach the edge of the orchestra. At this thrilling achievement, some of the From that place he had abetter view of the pro- spectators were horrified, others delighted. ceedings of the Benedictines. So powerful is "She is his sister," they said; "he had a right imagination, that many a time he fancied he to her. He has acted quite properly." saw behind the choir screen a female figure "He should have appealed to the protection dressed quite differently from the others. That of the law." was all he could make out. What if it were " Oh yes, much good that would have done Louise! Oh that he might lift one corner of him. His sister would have died of old age that jealous curtain! long before the law got her out." On these occasions the evening service is Others, recovering their surprise, exclaimed, even more magnificent than the morning, so "Awful! awful! a deed of violence! an far as the music is concerned. The whole outrage to the Madonna! In a holy place, thing is a concert from beginning to end. They too!" have no mass to celebrate, so they take their While a stronger voice than any that had time. been yet heard roared out, About the middle of the service, after the or- " Stop that man! He is guilty of sacrilege. gan had played a sort of introit, there came a He has broken into the cloister of a nunnery." solo. The singer was in the choir, where the Meanwhile all were looking at the young Benedictines were gathered. It was a woman's pair, who advanced toward the door, compelling voice, of wondrous fullness; and, notwithstand- general admiration, sympathy, and respect-the ing that the cloth veil in front of the railing brother, for his vigorous energy; the sister, for tended greatly to deaden its vibrations, it pen- her exquisite beauty and the dignity of her etrated with its volume and sweetness to the bearing. very end of the nave. The church was a church no longer. The Julio caught the Italian words of the frag- confusion was tremendous. The orchestra ment, pronounced with a marked French ac- broke up; the nuns left the choir, the celecent. He listened again-for a moment be- brant the altar, declaring that after such a profwildered and stupefied. anation the chapel was accursed. The Madon"It is-it is Louise's voice!" he cried; na (who, by the way, should have been on the there's no mistaking it. It is she! yes, it is look-out) was veiled, the candles blown out; she!" and, by degrees, the excited crowd issued from Could there be two voices exactly alike? the great door, through which Julio and Louise And even if that were probable, the singer must had already passed, threatened by some - febe either Louise or one of her countrywomen- males generally-but escorted and protected by a French girl at Notre Dame de Forcassi, in the the young men, who formed the bulk of the remotest part of the Roman States. There gathering. could be no possible doubt. She was there. Meanwhile a man had started hastily for VeHere, at length, was the poor, persecuted vie- trala on horseback-the same person, in point tim's prison. Julio had found his sister. of fact, who had shouted out after Julio in the Wild at his discovery, he was no longer his church. He was going to inform the magisown master. All arguing and reflecting at an trate of the sacrilege which had just been comend, he bounded from his seat like an arrow mitted, and to procure assistance for the culfrom a bow, just as a murmur of applause was prit's arrest. Charging him with the execution echoing through the building, hurried through of that measure, he told him he was about to the nave, crossed the reserved place, flung open communicate the whole affair to the vice-conthe railing without ceremony, and pushing on sulate of Viterba, and to the delegate of the to the very foot of the altar, shouted out hoarse- Holy Office, whose duty it is to take cognizance ly in Italian, of offenses against religious orders. "My sister! it's my sister! my sister who The Italian police in small towns is no more was stolen from me in France by a disgraceful expeditious than the French. While the poor trick. I claim my sister. Before God and podesta was hunting about for his staff, in all man, I command you to restore her." probability enjoying themselves at the fete, his A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 165 informant made all speed for Viterba, and soon not that God was to them a cruel God, who dereturned with officers of the vice-consulate, and lighted in singling out his victims, watching men under their orders, prepared also to carry their tortures, and reveling in their pain: a paout the instructions of the Holy Office. gan idea as irrational as it is blasphemous-a Meanwhile let us return to Julio. On leav- theory of fetichism in its wildest development; ing the church, his first thought was to press to but that, in the concurrence of circumstances, it the frontier; but then there was a distance of happens, necessarily, that weak and strong alike at least twenty kilometres before him. He had suffer from the collision. The strong are genrecognized at once the threatening voice which erally those of little principle and much capagreeted him as he quitted the building, and com- bility of defiance; the weak are recruited from prehended immediately the great peril of their the good, the gentle, the holy, and loving-heartposition. ed. And these are they of whom the saints are "It's all over with us!" he exclaimed. "The composed, and whose home at last is with God sbirri will be here directly. What am I to do? in heaven. I must return to Viterba, and get a horse or This consummation is never effected on carriage for Louise. A delicate girl like her earth, as some imagine, by a round of supersticould never go twenty kilometres on foot. She tious observances. It is not so that illustrious would be tired out even with going to Vetrala." characters are wrought and beaten out, as the Time was indeed precious. They might be Indian fanatic, even, might tell the Carmelite, arrested at Viterba. The ominous cry heard in but by bending meekly beneath the solemn burthe church determined him as to his course. den of life which God has placed upon our He must save Louise at any risk. shoulders, and sublimely apprehending and acIt was ridiculous to return to a petty place quitting its obligations entailed by that law of where the event was already famous, and Heaven, whose provisions are left unfulfilled by whence the hunt would probably begin. After those who withdraw from mankind. The rehaving gone about a hundred yards on the road cluse destroys-so far as he is concerned-the to Vetrala, they took a narrow and retired path very existence of that social economy which behind a little hill, hoping that the road would God has instituted. He surrounds himself with lead to some dwelling. It was four o'clock; an artificial society; and even if God, in his the night would soon overtake them at that clemency, deign to suffer the absurdity, he does time of the year. In the distance was heard not enroll its supporters among his conspicuous the sound of the carriages conveying visitors servants. He who hung on the cross was not to home from the fete at Forcassi to Vetrala and be found in the cloister. The monkish life is the country round. not derived from our Christian faith; it existed As soon as they were alone, they gave them- before it, and has still its devotees where the selves up to the unutterable delight of reunion. Gospel has never reached. The crucified One Such moments of meeting after terrible suffer- quitted on Calvary a life of toil, of which the ing have a sweetness in them which no words great thought and principle was ministry. His can picture. To have been hunted about as apostles were hard-working fishermen; Paul they had been hunted about, after their quiet was a tent-maker; and, to come down to modpresbytery life; to have been the chief sufferers ern times, Francis de Sales, Vincent de Paul, in a terrible drama of spoliation, persecution, Charles Borromee, and Fenelon, whether they malice, and revenge, of which they could not liked monks or not, never honored them with foresee the end, and then to be together again, their society, nor passed one hour of their illuswas bliss indeed. But as the stag, drawn fiom trious and invaluable lives in the seclusion of his lair by the sound of dog and horn, knows the cloister. The more the world progresses, not what fate awaits him, so were these two all the less use it will have for Essenes or Carmelin the dark as to whether dark den or hospita- ites, and the greater for earnest, honest workble roof was to offer them its shelter. men, ready to work at human regeneration. Happily, there is always such a thing as a That was a grand revolution which convulsed presentiment of coming evil. Failing experi- the world some eighteen hundred and sixty ence of suffering, an inner voice warns us of its years ago; and that, too, was a mighty change approach. But at what time-at what period that marked 1789 as a glorious epoch. The of our life, what section of its pathway is to be one was God's direct and evident handiwork; rough and rude? These are questions to which the other, under Him, the doing of a nation in we can return no answer; and in the solemn arms, soon to be joined by other nations, in consilence that greets them lies the great mystery solidating the achievements of the past, and in of our life. We approach that terrible un- inaugurating the triumph of the future. known place of danger, no science of ours avail- But Louise, all this time, is telling her brothing to anticipate the nature of the sacrifice, or er how the Countess of- had induced her where it will take place; what hand will wield to leave St. Aventin. the knife, and where the knife will penetrate. "My anxiety to save you," she said, "made Louise and Julio had too much of the mar- me rash and credulous; and, but for your lovtyr spirit to be dismayed at the prospect as- ing devotion, we should have been separated forsigned to them in the providence of God. They ever." deemed it glorious to wear a crown of thorns; We will complete her account of what had 166 UNDER THE BAN. happened to her since their sudden parting by her willingness to make any pecuniary sacrifice, mentioning certain facts which could not possi- if that was required. bly have come to her knowledge. Father Boniface proceeded at once to the Provincial, and, with a crimson face, flashing +~ —- t> —eyes, and voice palpitating with rage, told him all that had occurred, not omitting to mention CHAPTER XVI. that the countess had offered to place her purse THE MORAL THEOLOGY OF THE JESUITS. at their disposal. "Money smoothes all difficulties," said the WHAT occurred after Louise left the presby- Provincial, quietly. tery may be told in a very few words. "And yet it couldn't stop the performance The countess had made every preparation to of the Wandering Jew-and God only knows the facilitate the execution of her designs. She mischief that play did us! And here is this left Louise at a convent of Clarissans, six miles blessed countess making another Adrienne de from T —. Cardoville of that La Claviere fellow's sister. "You will pass your month of retreat here," Oh! these women, these women! how wise she said, "where you will see no one but the those are who decline having any thing to do holy nuns, who don't even know your name. with confessing them. It's Father Candal who All they have been told is that you are a giddy has ruined the countess. I have always dreadgirl, in danger of straying from the faith. You ed her obstinate disposition; since her success will be perfectly at liberty to walk in the gar- with Madelette, she has thought herself equal den, attend the services, or remain in your own to the government of the universe. I kept her apartments, absorbed in salutary meditation." down; Candal puffed her up; and here's the Alas! Louise's meditations were any thing consequence-and a very pretty consequence it but salutary. They were painful in the ex- is!" treme. She began to fear that she had been "Now don't be in a flurry, Boniface. All the victim of a plot. She pictured to herself will come right. Summon the fathers to a,%' 7,,%Lk'''% ahn;h % >' %w Thh-g't) ib'pr-:-nmr'cih iorint l'n. Tnen go to the apartment bytery and finding her gone. She prayed, in- of Father Ignacio, whom the general dispatches deed-not, however, that God would incline her through France with authority to decide on to be a nun, but that he would comfort her dear questions which it would be rash to commit to Julio, whom she had so thoughtlessly forsaken. writing. He is a clever man, and may be of The interval assigned in her letter had al- great use to us in the emergency. When it ready expired, and no step had been taken to- comes to diplomacy, an Italian Jesuit is worth ward abandoning the appeal. Every obstacle three French ones. Don't you think so?" in her path, however, served only to stimulate "Yes, yes," said Father Boniface, rather abthe eagerness with which the countess prosecu- ruptly, and a little astonished, if the truth must ted her schemes. She wrote two more letters be told, to find the Provincial joking at such a to Julio, imitating Louise's hand as nearly as serious crisis. possible. The reader will remember that she The fathers met in council, and a few mohad in her possession a copy of the first letter ments afterward Father Boniface entered with in Louise's handwriting. Meanwhile Julio held Father Ignacio, the Italian Jesuit. out, and the trial-day was appointed. Exciting He was a small,. shriveled-up, angular sort reports, however, of the disappearance of Louise of man. His eyes retreated under thick, black began to circulate. Mention was made of a eyebrows; his nose was pointed; his thin lips, protest from Julio. The countess was dismay- parted often by a delicate, sardonic smile, reed at what she had done. Should Louise not vealed teeth as sharp as ajackal's. His chin was wish to become a nun, she felt it would be safer prominent. The whole character of his appearto give her her liberty, and in that case she ance indicated astuteness, energy, and cunning. could, of course, exact from her a promise to Father Boniface was called upon by the Proreveal nothing of what had occurred to her; vincial to give an account of the matter which but would she keep it? Would she not tell her had called them together. He did so very brother every thing? Madame began bitterly graphically. to repent of what she had done, foreseeing that "It's a most serious business," was the comthe forged letters might very possibly compro- ment on all sides. mise her. At length she repaired to Father "Serious; you may well say that," observed Boniface, her Jesuit confessor, and narrated all Father Briffard, on ascertaining that he was that had happened. He at once saw the folly compromised. of her conduct, and, for the first time in twenty "What has the reverend Father Ignacio got years, abused her right well, calling her, without to say?" asked the Provincial. reserve, imprudent, obstinate, and rash. Above "That it is a serious matter here in France. all, he scolded her bitterly for having dared to Your civil rights, so opposed to canonical rights, make use of Father Briffard's name. The are a barrier to measures in themselves most abashed lady bowed meekly to the storm of simple and obvious. I often ask myself how it Jesuit wrath, promised to do any thing she was happens that our order is so fond of this wretchtold in atonement for her fault, and declared ed country." A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 167 "Simply because of its abundant resources," great service to us in reference to your friend replied the Provincial. "The yoke of passive Julio." obedience is worn here, it is true, with an ill "What do you mean?" cried Father Bonigrace. France is fond of arguing, and requires face. "You are joking, reverend father." a reason for every thing; but France is liberal " I am not joking at all, nor was Father Sanalso. Her faith is not equal to removing chez joking either when he said that'where honmountains, but it is strong enough to untie ors andproperty are at stake, it was lauftl to purse-strings. Look at the work of Denier de fight a duel or assassinate in secret.' That's inSt. Pierre-more successful in France than any tended for laics, you will say, as we clergy are where else. So let us speak up for the dear not allowed to fight duels. Be it so. Then old country-the hen that lays the golden eggs, this law is for us. Fathers Tannerus and Caranot only in Jesuit nests, but in those of all the muel do not hesitate to say that'ecclesiastics and other religious orders." members of religious orders may kill and slay in "By all means," said the other. "I grant defense not merely of their own life, but also of that, from that point of view, Gallicans have their property and that of the community.' Fatheir merit. At the same time, it is no less ther Lamy allows a member of a religious order true that we are very circumscribed here in the' to slay whoever attempts to steal the honor of use of our privileges. Oh, if we were only in his society, provided there be no other means of the Roman States, we should soon know how deliverance froml his attacks, as, for instance, to dispose of M. Julio and his sister, so that there when his slanders will most certainly be put forth would be no farther trouble about them." unless he is at once got out of the way.' Now M. "We must pray to God," said a solemn-look- l'Abbe Julio wants to steal our reputation by ing old father; "we must pray earnestly." publishing his pamphlet against us, and our "Pray to God; quite so," retorted Father property by his lawsuit, against both which atIgnacio. " Pray for the sudden death of this tacks we are justified in defending ourselves. I young lady and gentleman." only say this in vindication of the soundness of "Oh, shocking! shocking!" the doctrines I have quoted, though I know that "It's what one of our best theologians teach- you can not carry out these principles in France. es, the illustrious Hurtado de Mendoza.'It is The same truth holds good with reference to lawful to pray to God,' he writes,'to remove by the doctrine of regicide. Mariana is not the sudden death those who are preparing to perse- only one impressed with the belief that it is cute us, if we can not avoid their machinations lawful to kill a tyrant. It is not he, but one of in any other way.' Now, all the fine schemes our own order, who maintained that Jacques of your precious countess have not sufficed to Clement, in assassinating Henri III., had done prevent the publication of the pamphlet or the a right good act, a noteworthy, memorable deed, carrying on of the appeal. So the quiet de- calculated to teach princes that their evil conmise of this young man before the trial comes duct will not go forever unpunished. These on would be exceedingly convenient, more es- reasonings, however, can not be put forth in pecially as we have his sister's written declara- France, at the present time, at least. This is tion that she abandons the case. So do you, not the land for them. And since there are no my dear father, who speak of praying, make bravi in a country with a police like yours, an that the subject of your prayer. You admire electric telegraph, railroads, and a host of other our theologians, I fear, but recoil from practi- execrable inventions, why, all I can say is, we cing what they enjoin. One would fancy that are shut up on every side." it is forgotten that not a book is ever published "It strikes me," said Father Boniface, in a by any of our society without having been sub- whisper, to the solemn-looking Jesuit, "that jected to a rigid scrutiny, and sanctioned by the Father Ignacio abuses his privileges a little, and general. And as he has been intrusted with takes advantage of the respect we pay to his full powers by the sovereign pontiff, it follows opinion. I can't see that he has cleared up the as a matter of course that he can not make a matter in the least; and as for Mariana and mistake, and that any doctrine endorsed by him Sanchez, why, we have no more to do with them is to be accepted by the Church." than we have with Aristotle's Politics." " Exactly the countess's argument with this " Oh, he's a learned scholar and a holy man," little Louise." replied the other, with an owl-like look, at which "It wasn't wanted," said Father Ignacio, Father Boniface shrugged his shoulders, and dryly. "The laity, especially females, have no nothing more. business to know these things. In your beauti- Well, reverend father," said the Provincial ful France, however, people insist upon reading to the Italian, "what do you advise?" and knowing every thing. Forbid them nov- "To stay quiet, and tell the countess to let els, and they read theological works, blockheads the young girl go. It's no good. keeping her. that they are! Now in Italy, no one reads any If we were in Italy, with the Holy Inquisition, thing, which is much better. The women think possibly your countess herself might have to apof their lovers, or repeat their rosaries, and stick pear before the tribunal. But France is a counto that, and so they are thoroughly manageable. try I know nothing at alt about." But to return to our theologians. Let me tell "We must not turn our backs upon the you that an Italian bravo just now would be of countess," said Father Boniface. "If the Abbd 168 UNDER THE BAN. Julio's sister is set at liberty, she will go straight "Of course she will pay for Miss Louise's to her brother, and tell him every thing. IHe trip and residence abroad," said Father Briffard. will never believe that our hands are clear of "I should rather think so," replied the Prothe business; and as for Father Briffard, he is vincial; "and you may also tell her that we most seriously compromised. M. Julio will look to her to decorate our chapel of the Imconcoct a second pamphlet-he is mad after maculate Conception. She has splendid diawriting-in which he will depict us in no very monds, and precious stones of every kind. I favorable colors. He may even take measures think that the sacrifice of these worldly vanities to punish the countess for the forged letters. to the holy Virgin would be a suitable expiaThe whole thing will be a terrible scandal, tion of the serious error she has committed." which will reflect seriously upon us. I should "Keep your mind easy, father; the countess be loth, for my part, to put into practice the is ours from this day forward, fortune and evteachings of Sanchez, Lamy, Jean Gans, and ery thing else." others; but desperate cases require desperate "Very good," said Father Ignacio. "A sisremedies. The countess has an income of ter of mine is superior of a convent of Benedic100,000 livres, a third of which, at least, has tines of our Lady of Forcassi. Let this stupid been given, up to the present time, to help us in countess either take the girl herself, or send her our various undertakings; if we get her out of with a suitable person. I will tell my sister her present scrape, in which, remember, her the facts of the case, and she will undertake the zeal for our interests has involved her, her grat- charge of her. " Eventually, you may rest asitude will know no bounds. Let Mademoiselle sured, she will take the veil." de la Claviere disappear. Nothing is easier than Such was the method by which the Jesuits for Father Ignacio to place her in some Italian got rid of Louise in their anxiety to screen the convent where she will be effectually secreted. countess. It might be possible to make a nun of her. Fa- She had seen Louise again, and had left no therBriffard says that she is called to the cloister." stone unturned to worm herself into her confi" Yes; but for that wretched brother of hers, dence. She showed her several of her mother's she would have been one of the sisters of the letters, with whom she really had been intimate Sacre-Cceur by this time. As a child, she was -about the only true thing she told the young an angel; and God certainly willed that she girl. In one of them, written about six months should be thoroughly His." before Madame de la Claviere's death, the count"Ah! very well," said Father Ignacio; ess pointed out a passage to the following ef"then we will give her up to Him." fect: " My daughter has the simple piety of a "A good idea," said the Provincial. "The child of seven years old. She is an angel. fact is, we must not desert our friends. This She declares that as her brother Julio wishes to young lady once out of the way, the countess is be a priest, she will be a nun. God grant that saved. She will never be suspected; doubtless so it may be; then I should go down to the we shall; but, without a particle of proof against grave in peace. Alas! how eagerly have I us, the report will soon die out. Meanwhile sought the blessing from Him; but do I deserve we can easily spread about the report that, to be heard?" through fear of being lost forever by intercourse Necessarily this passage strengthened the inwith a heretical brother, she withdrew from his fluence of the countess over Louise, and tended influence. This view will be speedily adopted, to incline the latter to a convent life. and we shall scarcely be very culpable in dis- Meanwhile the countess, having received her seminating it." instructions from Father Boniface, arranged her "Certainly not," said Father Ignacio, "be- plans without delay. She Wvas fond of travelcause you will do so in the maintenance of your ing, especially of pilgrim expeditions. She had honor, and not from any vindictive feelings. I been to Treves to worship the holy coat-a relic see you have not forgotten that our fathers in which, be it observed, is to be found also in the theses of Louvain, 1645, maintained that it France, at Argentenil, and in several other was only a venial sin to calumniate and asperse towns. Should the reader stare at this asserwith false charges those who might speak against tion, be it known that the relic in question, like the order, in order to destroy their credit.'Quid the heads of John the Baptist and St. Anne, non nisi veniale sit, detrahentes auctoritatem has the faculty of being in several places at the magnam, tibi noxiam falso crimine elidere; same time. while Jean Gans, Daniel Bastel, Penalossa, Pil- A week after OLouise left St. Aventin, the licirolli, and others, hold this opinion to be prob- countess came to tell her that Julio had reably correct, which is enough, according to our called his book and abandoned the appeal. doctrine of probability, to justify its conscien- "So he is saved; and you will see him again tious adoption." as soon as you have fulfilled Father Briffard's " Yes-we understand all that; we must res- second condition - a month's retirement in a cue an interesting lady who has incurred dan- convent. At the same time, dear Louise, I ger in our behalf. Moreover, we must protect must tell you that I have long meditated myour own reputation, which would be seriously self a pilgrimage to Santa Casa, and a similar impaired if her indiscretions were ever publish- seclusion in the Ursuline convent of Loretto. ed abroad." Now, if Father Briffard has no objection, I A SEQUESTRATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 169 should like to take you with me. So write to Two apartments, partitioned off fiom one anyour brother; you ought not to keep him in other by a thin wall of pine wood, constituted suspense. Tell him all that has occurred, and the entire dwelling. The door was half open, that we have rescued him from imminent dan- and revealed a strong, healthy-looking man and ger in spite of himself. As soon as he knows his wife-a fine specimen of a Roman woman, that you are under my care, he will be quite at with two children, the youngest of whom aphis ease." peared to be about ten or twelve years of age, Louise hesitated; but the countess's warm the occupants of one of the rooms. They were professions of attachment, her mother's letters, engaged in the labors of that particular time of and the approaching marriage of Verdelon-a the year, which consisted in olive-gathering. blow from which she had by no means recover- Julio and Louise knocked at the door. Bowed-all combined to revive her old leaning to ing as the master of the house appeared, he was conventual life. Perhaps, moreover, a desire to requested to bring his sister in. see famous Italy decided her to accompany the Julio asked the man if he could hire him two countess. Since she had pledged herself to a horses, and act as their escort to the Tuscan month's retirement, she might as well go to the frontier. Ursulines of Loretto, the journey to which place, The stranger recognized at once Julio's according to the countess, would not take more French accent, and, concluding that there was than three weeks. Rejoiced at the thought of some love-story at the bottom of it-an elopehaving in some way been the means of rescuing ment and a large reward-soon consented. her brother, she was disposed to frank, open- "With all my heart, signor," he replied, in hearted trust. Agreeing to the countess's pro- bad French. "I will be your guide, and a good posal, she wrote a long letter to Julio, which one too. But I have only one horse; so you her trustworthy friend had no difficulty in in- must wait while I set off to Vetrala in quest of tercepting, and set sail with her that same even- another." ing. They had a very short journey, and the "But we are in a dreadful hurry to get on." countess enjoyed the gratification of seeing the " Pray do me the honor, for all that, of taking gates of Our Lady of Forcassi close behind a chair. In the first place, no one ever visits Louise. She then left for Loretto, and piously Jacomo without sharing his hospitality. Jacowent the round of the Santa Casa on her knees. mo is by no means rich, but he is no screw, all As for Julio, woe betide him if he presumed the same; and he always has a bottle of old to search for his sister in the Roman States! Montepulciano for his guests. Come, friends, Father Ignacio promised to look after him strict- you are pale, tired, and famished. You must ly. The end justified the means. have some refreshment to get up your strength. Julio was deeply affected by Louise's account We can talk business while you are eating." of all that she had gone through-of her despair To tell the truth, they were both of them very on finding herself a prisoner at Forcassi-of the hungry, though they had never thought of that. persistent efforts that had been made to induce So a large sausage, a few olives, and some her to take the veil-of her unutterable delight cheese, was no uninviting meal. on seeing him come toward her that day, like an "Since you are in a hurry," said Jacomo, angel of deliverance. "we must lose no time. But first tell me your On the other hand, he told Louise all that story. You see I speak French. I learned it he had suffered since she left St.Aventin-the slightly-guess where! In France? Not a bit measures he had taken to recover her-the ver- of it. In Rome, in 1849, when I was fighting diet on the appeal-his resolve to go and hunt against the French; and in 1859, when I was her out himself —his discouraging reception in fighting with them. I am one of Garibaldi's most of the Italian convents, up to the happy soldiers, and a sworn foe of the temporal power. day in which he had shattered the railing, and But don't let that alarm you, my sweet young stretched out to her a liberating right hand. lady. I'm nothing worse. Though I'm not During this conversation Julio was not so fond of priests, I save& tleir lives often in the preoccupied with his sensations of happiness as revolution at Rome. in saying that I dislike not to reflect upon the perils of his position. them, let me explain myself. Their business is Fortunately enough, he had plenty of money to be our spiritual teachers. We are not dogs; in his possession; and as there is much risk in we believe in God; but they think they can a flight like theirs, he thought, on the whole, govern the world. Not content with being lords that it would be safer if Louise were to secrete ecclesiastical, they would fain be lords political. some of the gold about her person. But not a bit of it; their day is at hand; we A little more than two kilometres along the Romans are only champing the bit; wait a road from Vetrala to Forcassi, the unfrequented while." path which they had been taking led up to a Jacomo was on the verge of a long political tiny little country house, in appearance exqui- disquisition to flavor the Montepulciano, when sitely neat. Round the white walls was every the silence of his auditor (for Julio was gloomy sign of care and cultivation. Two clay vases and preoccupied) convinced him that the subof flowers decorated the door on either side; ject he had chosen, interesting as it was, had the sweetly-scented blossoms were regarded by better be dismissed. Julio as favorable omens. "You have not told me your history," he re 170 UNDER THE BAN. marked. "Gain the frontier, humph! and at mother and my wife. The one has gone to her once too-at once. Come, explain the whole rest these ten years. The other you see before thing. You are eloping with this pretty young you. As soon as I saw that all was over, that lady-confess." you wretched Republican Frenchmen had stran"She is my sister." gled our young republic in its birth, I retired to "Oh, exactly; very good that-of course; all my cottage, free from all suspicion, and reached the same, you may as well tell me the truth." by no persecution. Since then I have escaped And Julio, in a few brief words, narrated all pursuit. I have been left alone to enjoy a what had occurred at the convent. quiet life till the day came for me to return to " Good heavens, my boy! why, had you been Garibaldi's ranks. That time you were on our chief of a bandit troop, and robbed his Holiness side; only you stopped too soon, for Italy is not from Porto d'Anzio or Castel Gandolfo, or even made free from the Alps to the Adriatic. But been answerable for eight or ten murders, I all is not over yet, and if ever Garibaldi wants might possibly respect you less, but I should Jacomo, Jacomo is ready, and neither children scarcely pity you as I do now-actually break- nor wife shall hold him back." ing into the nuns' inclosure; and, above all, As he spoke he got ready to go out. at the convent of Our Lady at Forcassi. But "Since you are in a hurry, it's an understood that's just like you stupid French. You don't thing that I am not to get you a horse. You understand our fashions. You play with a must walk with me. Young gentlemen who knife-never mind over whom. Off you go run off with young ladies must be ready to with young girls, under the very nose of papa rough it. My mare is a strong, quiet beast, and mamma. Now, in our country, when a and knows the road by heart. You may safeman has accomplished this sort of thing, he ly trust her, miss. The saddle is soft and comgets out of the way. The police are not hard fortable; you can lean on the pommel; you will upon brigands; but the Madonna! the cloister! find it raised. Should there be any danger, my good fellow, you have no idea of what you loosen the bridle, dig your heel into her sides, have done. Why, do you know that at this and you need not be afraid of any thing. She'd moment all the sbirri in Vetrala are on your rescue you from the very claws of the devil. track? The chief commissioner of the Holy Come, we'd better start at once. By-by, wife; Inquisition is a terrible man; his very name by-by, little ones. You won't see me till about frightens the entire country. There will be a noon to-morrow. Now, then, off-you go. Hurgeneral hunt after you. In an hour they will rah for liberty!" be at my door, bombarding my poor dwelling. Taking two pistols, he whispered to Julio, However, they won't take us easily, I can assure "Do you happen to have any weapons about them. I should rather like to worry them." you?" Jacomo was hard to convince. He was hon- "Weapons-oh yes!" and he showed him a estly convinced, in spite of all denial, that Julio pocket revolver. was carrying off a novice from the convent of Just as they were starting, he added, Forcassi. Julio, having tried in vain to induce "There are several roads to the frontier. him to believe the true facts of the case, and They will naturally expect to find you on the reflecting that it didn't really matter whether shortest and easiest, namely, from Petigliano he accepted them or not, left him eventually to through Valentano. So we'll take the one by his own impressions. Volscarceta, which is the roughest and wildest. The meal over, the host turned to the two They'll never expect to find us in these mounttravelers, remarking, ain gorges, where the smugglers have it all their "You love one another, my young friends. own way; and as for the smugglers"-he was You are very wise. If I am at all redeemed on the point of saying, "I am one myself," but, from the excesses into which some have fallen, pulling up short, contented himself with the I owe my exemption to the twofold love of my brief remark, "They know Jacomo." A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 171 PART VI. A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. CHAPTER I. weakness. A ball had struck him on his left arm. At that moment a moonbeam struggling T H E F BRONTIE BR. out of a dark cloud lit up the scene. Julio had THE road from Volscarceta to Valentano is fallen at the foot of the hill; his face grew deadtolerably good; and as Julio was an adept at ly pale, and his wound-as Jacomo discovered mountain traveling, the little party pushed for- on searching for it-was welling with blood. ward with considerable speed. The brave smuggler tore up a piece of the suf"You would have made a first-rate. smug- ferer's shirt and bandaged his arm. Then he gler," said Jacomo, compassionately, " if you'd brought him a draught of water in his hat from been brought up to the business." Jacomo, be a brook hard by, and sprinkled a little in his it understood, thought that the pleasantest use face, without, however, succeeding in restoring to make of life was to risk it about a dozen times him to his senses. Again he examined the a day. wound very carefully, washed it out, stanched "Jacomo," whispered Julio, "listen. This the blood, and readjusted the wrappings with is what I mean to do. If we are attacked, save the utmost skill and tenderness. my sister at any sacrifice; I'll take care of my- He himself had been struck in the engageself. Once at Volscarceta, she can wait for me ment-on the forehead and on the left leg-but there. I'm sure you'll protect her. I can rely he scarcely seemed to feel his wounds, slight as upon your fidelity." they were, and was only made sensible of their On reaching Toscanella the smuggler turned existence by a little pain which they entailed. into a little side-path to avoid the possibility of He had too often had similar adventures in the meeting the sbirri in crossing the town, regain- mountains to trouble himself about such trifles. ing the direct road about two kilometres on, the Yet the position was decidedly critical. There way growing rougher and rougher at every step. was no house near. In the mean time what was Skirting the sides of Mount Calvello for some to be done in that wide desert of Castro? distance they reached the deserted site of an It would soon be morning, he reflected; he old Etruscan town, known in the country by the would wait for daylight, and watch by the side name of Castro, after passing which they would of the young Frenchman, who scarcely seemed be beyond the frontier. Hardly had they ar- to breathe, so great had been his loss of blood. rived there, however, before four men in masks Possibly some chance traveler or smuggler friend suddenly sprang out upon them from a dense of his own might pass that way. thicket at the entrance to the ruins, and in the At a little distance the bandit, who had been bottom of the ravine. The smuggler recognized mortally wounded, was writhing in horrible conthem at once as bandits of the worst kind, who vulsions. had for some months been ravaging the country Jacomo had scarcely waited on poor Julio for from Corneto to Viterba, no steps having been half an hour-trying, by rubbing his hands and taken to hunt them down. Seeing the immi- chafing his temples and chest, to impart some nent danger, he said to Julio, warmth to his benumbed limbs, and, if possible, " We are lost if we at all give way. Let us recall life-when the sound of horsemen was keep side by side, and push forward. The heard in the distance, along the road by which young lady had better stay behind." they had just come. The bandits drew up in battle-array, and pre- He conjectured that it was the bandits returnsented their carbines. Shots were exchanged ing, reinforced in numbers. Climbing up a liton both sides, and one of the bandits fell dead. tle hillock, and squatting down in a thick, stuntJacomo seeing that Julio had been wounded ed juniper.tree, which completely covered it with went up to him. "Never mind me," he said, a dark hood of foliage, he was effectually confaintly, "take my revolver and defend my sis- cealed, as no one would have suspected for a ter." moment that that dwarf shrub could have conJacomo sustained a vigorous fire with the for- tained a man. midable weapon; and the three bandits, unpre- Yet he could see and hear every thing that pared for so determined a resistance, took to was going on. It was neither night nor day. their heels. At the first report of the fire-arms The earliest streaks of the dawn were blending Louise's horse had taken fright and galloped off into the latest beams of the moon, and the rein the direction of Viterba. sult was that undefined tint which no pallet could "Jacomo, save my sister," were Julio's last ever render. words, as he sank back exhausted from pain and All this time the horsemen were rapidly ap 172 UNDER THE BAN. preaching, and soon reached the scene of the en- will be sure to bring her back with them. Don't counter. fuss yourself about any thing or any body. You "Here comes the sbirri," said Jacomo to him- may rely upon it, she will be treated with all self, "and in good force too. I can do nothing proper respect. Here, you others-help M. for this unfortunate young man; but, at all l'Abbe to mount, and keep at his side in case events, I'll go in search of the young lady who he should faint. We'll go to Viterba-slowly has been ridden off with." at first." " Signor, here's a dead body," said one of the Then turning to Julio, with an authoritative new-comers, in the dress of a rifleman. air, he added, " So there is," replied the man who appeared "Yours will be a lifelong repentance for what to be at the head of the band, though he was in you have done-violating a holy cloister, profanprivate clothes. ing a sanctuary of the Madonna. What shock" Signor, here's another," said a second rifle- ing forgetfulness of your priestly character! man. Acts like yours are thought a great deal of in "They have been fighting here," said the Italy-a country where sacrilege is visited with chief. "This is some of Pietro Frappa's doing. a heavy punishment. It's different in France." His excellency the most reverend monseigneur Julio caught nothing but the faint echo of at the head of the executive department had this solemn reproof. He was just conscious better look after these thieving, murderous fel- enough to perceive that he was on horseback, lows." that he was not with the smuggler, and that his " Signor, it's Pietro Frappa himself. I know dear Louise was no longer with him on Jacomo's his face well." trusty steed;'he knew nothing more. The se"More the pity. His should have been a verity of his suffering made him shout out every more glorious defeat than by the hand of some now and then. Nature has mercifully provided sturdy traveler or tourist, who had no notion.... that when the system receives any violent shock Let's have a look at the other." insensibility frequently ensues, bringing with it And he approached Julio. A vivid streak of a total oblivion of pain. The wound must needs day was in the horizon. The face of the wound- be bound up; but consciousness does not return ed, turned toward the east, reflected the light. till the great pain is past. "Why, here's the very man we're after! This Julio arrived at Viterba, and was instantly is our French friend himself; but what's become attended to, by order of the representatives of of his sister?" the Holy Office. The physician pronounced it And he sent off two spies to continue the as his opinion that his wound was by no means search along the road to Volscarceta. dangerous, and that in a few days he would be The rest dismounted; the chief approached quite equal to the journey to Rome. Julio, felt his. pulse, and noticed the bandages. "Those bandits are good enough fellows aft — er all," he said. "They've been dressing his wounds. But look at poor Pietro Frappa. Is CHAPTER II. he quite dead?" he quite dead~?" MtTHE VISIONARY OF VITERBA. "As dead as a door-nail, signor, and without having shrived himself. God have mercy on ON the same day that the commissioner of the his soul! He was a brave chap." While this Holy Office arrested Julio he effected, in accordsomewhat original funeral oration was going on ance with strict orders from Rome, another capthe chief produced a flask of brandy, which he ture of considerable importance. Viterba, like carried about with him, poured a few drops many other Italian towns, had its dreamer of down Julio's throat, bathed his temples, and dreams, its heroine of inspired illuminations. made him inhale it. The cordial soon revived This lady, by name Laura Doni, was no comhim; for his wound had been skillfully doctor- mon person. Her visions belonged by no means ed. He came round much as a man might to the category of those experienced by a n.uawake from a dream. merous order of damsels of her class, ever ready "Louise-Jacomo-where am I? Who are to place themselves at the service of the upperyou?" most religious feeling, and seeking from the au" Your friends, M. Julio, who pity you very thorities in Church and State a formal sanction much. Those from whom we come desire only of their mission. It generally happens that alyour soul's salvation. Better have dealings with most all the various religious orders get hold of them than with Pietro Frappa and his men. some one or another of this class, serving their Just see the fearful condition to which they have end in the expectation of being, in due course, reduced you! Come, try and get up. Ah, served by them.. Not long ago the Jesuits had that's right. You are young enough yet, M. lighted upon a specimen, who "revealed" all l'Abbe. There is plenty of vigor left in that kinds of eulogistic wonders about them, and muscular frame: and a wound in the arm is no submitted every one she could get hold of to very serious matter. Here is a perfectly quiet, their guidance and influence. tractable horse for you-try and mount." Laura Doni, who indulged in these visions "But my sister-my sister!" and disclosures, and had many a familiar chat " Two men are gone to look after her. They with her guardian-angel, was by no means easy A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 173 to manage. Her singular vaticinations were so So poor Julio and the formidable prophetess far famous that they eventually reached Paris, were bundled off to Rome in the same shabby where, among a certain section of highly pious conveyance. Four sbirri of the Holy Office, and extremelyerratic individuals, they obtained two in front and two behind, guarded the vehia certain amount of credence. cle. As for Julio, he was supremely indifferIt may be interesting to detail a few of them ent; but the lady was beside herself with rage. as they were delivered in public at Viterba, in "The wretches! the villains!" she cried, the presence of the numerous throng attracted "their downfall is at hand. Beloved Mother, by her shouts, under the influence of sleep- thy reign will soon commence on the earth, and walking: then farewell to Cnesar's purple in the Church " The reign of Mary was about to commence. of God!" Not in vain had Pius IX. declared her immacu- And standing up in the car, looking haughtlate conception. It was a true doctrine, and ier than ever, flinging aside with one hand the its proclamation would be the saving of the veil which covered her face, and stretching out Church." But strange inconsistency, and very the other toward Rome she resembled, with her intelligible explanation of the thunders now thin pale figure, one of those medieval statues hurled against her by the Holy Office, Laura of emaciated saints whose form could scarcely had gone on to predict that only by the over- be detected beneath the folds of drapery. throw of the temporal power could the Church "No more imperial power," she cried; "no be restored to her ancient splendbr. She in- more of pagan Caesar as Christ's high-priest! dulged in expositions of the Magnificat that Mary, immaculate Mary, thou hast at last placed were eloquent and even sublime, thy foot on the serpent's head, and the nations The words "He hath put down the mighty prostrate before thee will soon sound thy trifrom their seat" were, according to her teach- umph. And as for you, my fellow-countrywomen ing, a prophecy of that special overthrow on -my sisters-the era of liberty is at hand. You which she insisted. Pius IX., she held, was to will be agents in the accomplishment of glorious be the last king, and the first humble Pontiff issues. You will reign with Mary, and by her. whose head was to be encircled with the lowly Hitherto the Church has represented only the crown of the Crucified. Thus she interpreted brute force of man; it is now about to put forth the words "IIe hath exalted the humble and as its power the tender love of woman, in the meek." person of the Immaculate Virgin. Pontiff of Here was a curious medley of mysticism and Rome, cease your efforts to scrape together the politics. Laura was approached in a thousand fragments of your triple crown shattered by the different ways, in the hope of being made ac- iron hand of revolution. Your real reign is comcessible to wholesome influence. Unbounded ing-your absolute kingship over human souls. promises were made to her, conditional on her Your infallibility will be, as it ever has been, the standing up for the sceptre as necessary for the dogma passionately clung to by a Christian peosupport of the keys. All these, however, she ple; but, first,'He hath put down the mighty rejected; sent Antonelli's agents about their fiom their seat,' must receive its accomplishbusiness, though they had been at the trouble ment. No more supreme rulers in the Church of coming to Viterba on purpose to look her up; of Christ; no more humiliating degradation of and almost went so far as to kick the delegate the sex, restored to their rightful rank by Mary of the Holy Office out of her room, in return the Immaculate. Woman should be a priest as for the numerous visits he had paid her by way well as man; for she is purer than he, and betof flattering her vanity, and thus gaining her ter understands the influence and the reign of over to his suggestions. love. And it is because you-Pius IX.-have Assuming all her Roman dignity, she avowed promulgated that immortal truth which underthat she dared not lie to the Holy Spirit or bar- lies this glorious reformation, that you will be ter her conscience; and from that day set to permitted to vacate your temporal throne, erectwork more vigorously than ever to spread abroad ed by the hand of man-you, the mighty, will abelief in the speedy fulfillment of the obnoxious be put down fiom an unworthy seat, in order prophecy. Her influence was now becoming that you may rise grandly from the moment's dangerous. Italian Liberals availed themselves humiliation-the head of a spiritual Churchof her predictions to kindle up popular enthusi- realizing, in your own person, the glorious asasm, and sustain the impression that the day surance,'He hath exalted the humble and was close at hand which would see Rome the cap- meek.' " ital of the new Italian kingdom. The delegate One of the gravest errors-it might almost be forwarded to head-quarters a terrible report on said the greatest disgrace —of the Catholic her case. As she happened to be rich, and a priesthood of the nineteenth century, has been member of a powerful family, the best course ap- its unscrupulous patronage, from a motive appeared to be to bring these utterances of hers, in parently laudable, of the alarming development some way or other, within the cognizance of the of mysticism in the bosom of the religious world. Inquisition, and thus withdraw her from the civ- In great social crises the pretended spirit of il power to that impartial tribunal which has a prophecy-by no means foreign to human nahabit of incarcerating awkward people, and judg- ture-exhibits itself in increased proportions; ing them afterward. social economists and philosophers entertain pre 174 UNDER THE BAN. sentiments on the subject of social emancipation. CHAPTER III In the religious world this tendency assumes preternatural powers. Now it is God who ap-THE ENTRY INTO ROME. pears; now the Virgin; or, again, guardian- IT was the 22d of Novembers 1860. That angels-and all is in perfect sincerity and good evening the Corso was thronged with people; faith. The incredulous are wrong in supposing groups had collected in the Place del Popolo, that these deluded visionaries are a tribe of im- and in many another quarter, at the Campo posters. In almost every case they are weak- Vaccino, and on the bridge of the Castle of St. minded women, buried in a cloister, or, if not, Angelo. The Roman aristocracy, according to leading a simple and austere life. custom, was out driving on Monte Pincio. ArtThere is no question as to their number. The ists, idlers, ladies fond of displaying themselves, most popular among them are the children of crowded the graceful slopes leading to that La Salette and the young girl of Lourdes. Very charming eminence, which commands a full few nuns have been without their visions; that view of the Eternal City. French officers, beis to say, those who pass their time in what is longing to the army of occupation, mixed in the called "contemplation." Sisters of Charity are crowd; there, too, might have been seen peacetoo busy and too practically engaged to find leis- ful citizens, never alone, but in knots of two or ure for that sort of thing. And all this spreads three. The Romans, by way of testifying their abroad, and becomes a common subject of dis- gratitude for the protection accorded by France cussion. The contagion seizes on unduly excit- to the Pontifical Government, under which it ed and imaginative subjects, and they keep up was their privilege to live, had the habit of fightthe ball. One after another comes forward with ing with every French soldier they might chance contributions to the stock; and so the evil ex- to catch by himself in out-of-the-way parts. pands to an alarming extent. Since then a strict order has been issued forThe general refrain of all these predictions bidding the military to go out alone. circulated for nearly the last hundred years-so On the day in question there was a strange far back does the mischief date-is, that Paris excitement in the town. Not a disturbance, will be burned: a prediction peculiarly palatable nor any thing approaching to it, only the Italto those who have been entirely led away by mys- ian Committee had just posted up one of their tical extravagances, and consequently receiving proclamations. Some copies had' been boldly their most implicit belief. True, these doctors stuck on the walls in broad daylight; and fragdiffer. Some have questioned the return of ments were yet to be seen, left by the police, on Louis XVIII., announced by Martin de Gallar- the balustrades of the long staircase leading to don; while others, with a boldness worthy of the "Alla Trinitk del Monte," on the columns of most advanced skeptic, are of opinion that, in the churches, and on the public monuments. spite of all that has been said by the heroines of There was a great talk about this proclamaLa Salette, Pius IX. will, after all, escape cru- tion, the effect of which had been electrical, and cifixion at the hands of the Italian party; but all which, while it recommended the greatest possiagree in shouting, "PARIS WILL BE BURNED." ble caution, called upon the Romans to be ready Paris, the most illustrious of cities, is doomed, for a decisive blow. Yet none of the hopes by these gloomy enthusiasts, to the fate of ac- which it raised have hitherto been realized. The cursed Babylon. They see only the stain on the patience of the people is nevertheless as abiding hem of her garment. The halo of glory that as ever; and even though the hour of their desurrounds her brow escapes their notice. liverance is yet in the future, theirs is the glory Yet the great home of mind and intellect is of having avoided needless disturbances, and renot thus to perish! Happily, even for you, birds served for better days their patriotic hopes. of ill omen! for were your prophecy to be accom- In the midst of the eager demand, during the plished she would bury in her ruins-along with last few years, of Rome for the capital of Italy, the infidelity which you cast in her face, but and the eager longing with which the boon has which (though this you forget) you have pro- been sought from the reluctant hands of diplovoked by your absurdities-that eager aposto- macy, the enslaved populace have reined in their late in the cause of liberty which dismays you, excitement with a discipline beyond all praise. as well as that active spirit which originates all The voice of the national party, in its every utthose glorious and holy achievements, accepted, terance, has been that of the great country herindeed, by Rome, but not of her devising. Par- self; yet not a single struggle has warranted the is is more thoroughly Rome than Rome herself. intervention of armed force. It is in her bosom that that life and vigor are The carriage containing the two prisoners encirculating which will yet cause the Church to tered Rome by the Porta del Popolo, and folblossom as the rose. Away with you, idle and lowed the road leading to the Holy Office. As mistaken dreamers! Cease to visit her with the various inquisitive groups of by-standers your hatred, and to direct against her your sinis- watched the carefully guarded vehicle, a stir of ter utterances. You are outraging Catholicism curiosity, not altogether free from uneasiness, itself Think you that if Paris were burned you was visible among them. would find it still surviving in her ashes? "Political scape-goats most probably," said some. Others, observing the presence of the sbirri, A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 175 concluded that the trusty police had captured a me recommend you, as a friend, not to write couple of rogues of the very worst class. against the Jesuits another time." As the procession moved on one of the people, who knew the driver, came up."Who are these?" he asked. "Prisoners of the Holy Office." CHAPTER IV. "Holy Virgin!" replied the Roman, with a compassionate look at the pale, tranquil face of THE PRISONS OF THE INQUISITION. Julio. A STRANGER visiting Rome, and gazing round The words "Holy Office" passed from mouth that magnificent circular area, decorated with to mouth of the gathering crowd, and created a lofty porticoes, in front of St. Peter's, would general feeling of commiseration. hardly suppose that the gorgeous colonnade hid The groups of eager questioners became more from view a low gloomy district, full of ruins, and more numerous as the prison was neared. and intersected by narrow, winding, badly-paved The street in which it stood was fairly crowded streets. Should you take a conveyance to the when the sbirri helped Julio and the prophetess Vatican the driver will bring you through one to alight. The stern, commanding figure of of the chief of these, stretching along the left Laura Doni had in it something terribly majes- side of the arcade, and winding on between the tic. She looked like the angel of vengeance, high walls of a little Campo Santo, constructed brought thither to punish all the guilt and on the model of the one at Pisa, and, like it, wrong-doing of Papal royalty through so many made of earth from the Holy Land; and a large centuries, and holding in her hands the vials building, with a black front pierced by narrow of the wrath of God. Her lips seemed almost windows, never penetrated by a single sunbeam, parted to the denunciation against the ill-starred respecting which you doubt, as you stare at it, Pius IX., the representative of royal Pontiffs. whether it is a house of correction, a prison, or "The day of your judgment is at hand; the a lepers' hospital. To say the truth, it is somehour when this awful score shall be settled to thing of all these; it is the head-quarters of the the uttermost farthing. Mene! Tekel! Peres!" Holy Office. There was that about her that convinced the At the time of the revolution in Rome, when people that she was no culprit, but rather a de- the Republic was proclaimed under constituted liverer. With a step of stately majesty she triumvirs, the first place which the populace viscrossed the threshold of the building; while ited was this terrible edifice. To them its capJulio, on the other hand, appeared like an an- ture seemed like a second taking of the Bastile. gel of peace, come to proclaim the approaching Just as that odious fortress had appeared to the advent of a day of restoration, himself its herald. French, as exhibiting the royal will of kings The ponderous gates swung to behind them, executed in prison cells, where justice is laughed and the crowd dispersed sorrowfully, to scorn, and the accused forbidden to defend "No getting out of there," said one; while himself, so the Romans looked upon the Holy a few of the more educated repeated to them- Office as expressing the sovereign pleasure of a selves the well-known words of Dante, priesthood developed into a kingly power, supY'Voi ch'intrate, lasciate ogni speranza!" posing no one to dispute the doctrines which it Then rose up, loud and clear, a deep cry from sets forth, and menacing with eternal punishthe last receding group: ment those who incurred in any way its high " The hour of your rescue is at hand!" displeasure. It was not against the Castle of The governor of the prison, a sinister-leoking St. Angelo that their wrath was directed. That man, inscribed the name, title, and description they regarded as a relic of the ancient cityof Julio on his register. By his side was a young Adrian's mote. The fortress of the Popes they laic, whose sharp, cat-like face was not the best were willing to respect; the cells of the Inquisiqualified to inspire confidence. All necessary tion were their game. formalities having been gone through, just as the Not that they found many prisoners in them; jailer was about to conduct Julio to the gloomy but one was tenanted by a corpse. Many a day dungeon that awaited him the young man came had it lain there, forgotten by the tribunal overup, and said, in a bantering tone: head; or, perhaps-horrible thought! -con" Had a pleasant journey, M. l'Abbe?" demned by some vindictive inquisitor to a death Julio looked at him. It was the spy who, of starvation. under the name of the Abbe Denis, had followed That secret murder was doubtless horrible the unfortunate priest from town to town. enough, but it was but one instance out of many. "May God forgive you!" was his calm reply. Since the Pontificate of Pius IX. the Inquisi"Go along with you. I am quite content. tion has been greatly curbed, though his HoliI wanted to get you over here at once; it would ness has never ventured to suppress it altogether. have saved me a horrid bore of a journey, tramp- There are few who are not familiar with the ing after you from place to place, especially that fearful details that were made known when the night when I found you on the frontier covered cells of the Inquisition were penetrated and laid with blood from the bullets of Pietro Frappa. bare in the revolution of 1848: —Skeletons However, I hope I shall be well paid for all my chained up against the wall; others lying on trouble and fatigues. Good-by, M. l'Abbe; let the floor; bodies buried up to the shoulders in 176 UNDER THE BAN. quick-lime-the most horrible punishment of jolly Poictiers lad, or a cheery Gascon, is mountall; rooms full of instruments of torture; cells ing guard in front of that dreadful portal, which in the drains, where wretched victims, half- never opened once, except to entomb a victim. smothered in mud and pollution, used to be kept Tourists who go the round of Roman curiosialive in their misery by a daily dole of bread; ties really ought to pay a visit to the French with an endless series of other atrocities no less barracks behind the circular colonnade, and ask appalling. to see the dungeons. Faugh! they smell of dead Some of the writers of these accounts ask how bodies still. it was that the people failed to efface every ves- On the restoration of Pius IX., after his retige of the infamous abode. For our part, we turn from Gaeta, the Holy Office erected in haste are far from regretting the omission. On the a temporary building with a few low, narrow contrary, we should have preferred to have seen cells, in the hope that on the departure of the every thing scrupulously preserved in the state French army, and the consolidation of the Papal in which it was found: -The shriveled-up power, they would be able to recover their old corpses, the instruments of torture, the human abode. mould in the under-ground passages, and that Temporary indeed! Appropriate to a mere court, a hundred metres long, where victims temporary institution-destined, like the tiara were secretly burned after public exhibitions of itself, to pass away before long, and living only the kind had become no longer safe. We should on sufferance during that scant interval which like to see all this kept up, as a sort of gloomy diplomacy has characterized by the sapient title museum, open to public inspection, where men of the Statu quo. may learn what religious bigotry did in days So pertinaciously do institutions dying of old gone by, and what it may again do at any mo- age cling to the traditions of their past, even ment, should a bigoted monk chance to mount more than in the days of their highest prosperity the Pontifical throne. For it must be acknowl- -observing the least important of their customs edged that all the guilt of the Church lies at the and rules with scrupulous fidelity-that there is monastery door. Monasticism, be it understood, at this moment a president of the Holy Office is utterly without any Christian element-it has (a cardinal of the Roman Church); a keeper of nothing of the spirit of the Church in it: it is the seals; a commissary general, who is always but an accident, an excrescence more or less a Dominican; an assessor, invariably a prelate objectionable according to the character of its and chamberlain of the Pope; councilors belongdevelopment, but always injurious. With this ing to the various religious orders; officers and system have originated all the extravagances of ministers; and all as thoroughly organized as religious bigotry; and the attentive student of if the power of the institutipn were as supreme the Church's history will see at once that the as ever, with this one trifling difference, how. only error of the secular clergy during the fatal ever, that the altars erected once for the glory periods of pitiless persecution consisted in their of God and the holy chair smoke no longer with weakly allowing full scope to the monks, and sacrificial victims! The Sacred Congregation surrendering to them too easily their own proper holds meeting three times a week: on Monday rights. Granted that Pius V. decreed that the at the establishment of the Holy Office, where merciless punishment of heretics was true clem- the commissary general and the councilors asency, such language arose from the fact that semble; on Wednesday at the Convent of Santa. Pius V., before he became Pope, was a Domin- Maria Sopra Minerva, belonging to the Dominican, and that the Dominicans were installed at ican fathers; and on Thursdays under the presthe Inquisition. On the other hand, if it be idency'of the Pope, to consult on the causes for true that Pius IX., freed from counteracting in- trial and matters connected with the inquisition fluences, has shown himself the very reverse in and heresy. Here the cardinals take their places spirit of this frantic bigot-if it be admitted that at the board, more or fewer as they are desighis gentle and amiable disposition is utterly op- nated by his Holiness, with a large sprinkling posed to every species of cruelty, it must be re- of prelates, and learned theologians picked out membered that his shoulders have never been from all the various religious orders, and decodisgraced by the monk's gown. rated with the title of councilors of the Holy Julio would have been incarcerated in one of Office. Julio and Laura Doni were immured the terrible Inquisition cells but for the circum- each in a separate dungeon-a measure benefistance that after the Roman crisis the French cial, doubtless, to the Pontificate of Pius IX., general thought that the Inquisition building, and very calculated to promote the salvation of which had been half destroyed by the populace, the Church, while a judicial information was, with its extensive offices, was admirably suited, according to custom, being prepared against from its proximity to the Vatican and the H-oly them. Office, to serve as a barrack for the French in- The assessor intrusted with getting up the fantry. edicts repaired to the prison in his official caWhat vicissitudes mark the history of human pacity, and summoned Julio to appear before events! While the reader is casting his eye over him. these pages the tricolor is floating over the dark The four following accusations formed the low gateway of the Holy Office. To the left points on which he subjected him to a severe stands a sentry-box; a peaceable Norman, a questioning: A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 177 First, that he, Julio de la Claviere, a priest with others the priestly mass, the vast majority, of the diocese of T-, had willfully and de- crying up the temporal power of the Pope, exliberately broken into the choir-cloister of the tolling the Jesuits' sanctity and zeal, fawning on reverend Benedictine nuns of Notre Dame de episcopal omnipotence-had this been his course, Forcassi; such act being opposed to the privi- these his views, this his policy and his attitude, leges and rights of the order of the Society of instead of being "in carcere duro," he might St. Bennet, and strictly prohibited by their ca- have been lounging at this moment in an archnons. bishop's drawing-room, caressed, cuddled, apNext, that he had perpetrated an act of sac- plauded, receiving, day after day, new honors rilege in a holy place in the execution of his and rewards ecclesiastical: soon vicar-general, outrageous assault-a crime punishable with then bishop, then cardinal. Positively, these the galleys: superior intellects, these deep thinkers, are Furthermore, that this sacrilege had been dreadfully wanting in tact. Julio, for instance, committed during a service of special solemni- was very foolish! ty, and in the presence of the assembled faith- There he lies, meanwhile, the disdained offful, to their great scandal and dismay. scouring of the priesthood-the last of the HussLastly, that he, the afore-mentioned priest, ite race, and of those other noble martyr spirits, had written a libelous pamphlet against the sa- who dared to speak as they thought of Papal cred order of the Jesuits; an order specially de- Rome. Ay, Sirs, there he lies; and should his voted to the interest of the Papal throne, and jailer perchance forget for a few coming days to solemnly recognized with approbation by the toss him his scrap of prison bread, there he will Sovereign Pontiffs; that he had, by an act of lie till death arrives, summoned by the unutterforgery, attributed an anonymous publication able pangs of starvation. In his expiring agony to a cardinal of the Roman Church; that this he may gnaw his flesh from his bones; and publication, or religious testament, as it was when he is gone none will think upon his corpse called, was full of unwarrantable assertions. -no, nor even, when the door is opened to adthat it savored strongly of the deadliest heresy, mit another to be dealt with after the same and was peculiarly repugnant to the views of fashion, will they care to remove the dead in his the faithful. decay! The assessor's report was based upon this in- -- quiry. No bringing up of the accused before a judge; no witnesses examined on both sides; CHAPTER V. no counsel for the defense; not even a sentence x X N S- L E- n O U R G. always, except when it was advantageous to publish it; in that case the judgment was post- QUITTING Upper Italy to return to France, ed up on the doors of the principal churches; and crossing the border of the rich basin of the being generally ten or twelve years' imprison- Po, there rises up before the traveler the ilment, according as the accused was more or less mense mountain chain of the Western Alps. friendless, or had no money, or means of get- The period of their emerging from their calcating any, to purchase his freedom. reous basin was one marked by the mightiest Julio replied with brief, simple dignity to the convulsions in the physical history of our earth. questions of the assessor. At the end of the The elevation of the Alps, of which the Pyreexamination he was told to sign the paper of in- nces, though the date of their irruption is more quiry. recent, appear to be a continuation, divides Eu"I shall do nothing of the kind." rope into two sections. Of these the most exSuch was the first and last act in this singular tensive, to the north and west, is cut off, in every exhibition of ecclesiastical justice. Julio. had respect of climate, habits, and manners, from every prospect of remaining in his cell for many the southern and eastern. Above the Alps is a long year, untroubled by president, cormmis- Europe properly so called; below, three imsary general, assessor, or councilors. Tle au- mense peninsulas, Greece, Italy, and Spain, the thorities of the Holy Office are in the habit of cradles of the Greek and Latin races; this disundertaking the permanent charge of their pris- trict is more thoroughly Oriental in its characteroners, and would be very much surprised if any istics than the rest of the Continent. The olone interfered with their arrangement. The ive, the orange, and the palm proclaim it as the door quietly closed between Julio and the world. East. But we have omitted to describe his cell. To cross that barrier, on returning from Rome Imagine a hole ten feet long by six wide; no by the Apennine chain, between Florence and window; one door with a grating in it, pro- Bologna, there are two grand roads, prepared at tected by iron bars, to admit the light; a pallet, an immense labor and expense, along the sides a little stool, a small table, an earthen pot, and of the Alpine ridge: one by Mount Cenis, leadthe bare ground. And the tenant of this wretch- ing into Savoy; and another by Simplon, into ed place was one who, had he followed the time- Switzerland. Italy is still in the height of its honored, well-worn path-had he omitted the glorious autumn weather; oranges may be gatlldream of Catholic reform, had he shrunk from ered in the fields of Monte di Gaita, at the audacious handling of the sacred ark of the entrance of that celebrated Campania where Church, the Company of Jesus-had he swelled Iannibal fell, and where masses of piled-up M 178 UNDER THE BAN. snow array with their white drapery the gigantic well-wadded over-coat, toward the lHotel de la summits of the Alps. Nor is it only for a few Porte. hours, as in the Pyrenees, that the traveler has One of the waiters asked the young lady if to battle against snow and piercing cold, but she had any objection to receive a visit from M. throughout the entire route. Indeed, he may be le Vicaire, and returned with a request that he deemed a lucky adventurer who finds the track would come in. unburied, or who escapes the perilous chance of He introduced himself with that quiet ease guides losing their way. and gentle sympathy of manner which invalids Should you escape the many dangers that prize so highly. A smiling physician or priest, throng this mountain journey, after a day of in- to such persons, is always a welcome visitor, the credible fatigue, the least peril of which would very sight of whom is an instant relief. be to perish from the cold, the first town you It will have already been divined that the would reach on the French side would be Lans- stranger was no other than Louise. Carried to le-Bourg. There a large hotel, with great a considerable distance along the Vclscarceta chimneys containing roaring fires, presents the road by Jacomo's horse, she had eventually appearance of a sumptuous Louvre; while es- reached the Tuscan territory, overwhelmed with cape for a time from an outside temperature anxiety as to her brother's fate. Jacomo had which turns the breath into icicles, even though crept out of his hiding-place in the bush, after it be enjoyed in the interior of a shut-up car- having witnessed the capture of Julio, fully conriage, is welcome as a landing in the Fortunate vinced that the young Frenchman, once in the Islands. hands of the sbirri, would have to expiate his So here we are at Lans-le-Bourg, on an au- achievements at Forcassi by imprisonment for tumn day, as has been already said. life. His first anxiety was to recover his runIn the midst of this unpretending village, away nag, and to escort Louise to the limits of which has been designated, for reasons unknown the Papal States. Hurrying along the road to to ourselves, by the more high-sounding title Volscareta, lie soon succeeded in discovering of a town, is a modest, unpretending church. her track, by marks which none but a smuggler There is a priest at the altar-a tall, strong could have detected, and reached the frontier man, whose stern features, contracted by the town almost immediately after her. dents and furrows in his face, indicate the suf- It was necessary that he should tell her the fering through which he has passed. On his mournful truth respecting her brother; and in forehead is a scar, recently healed. lie might doing so lie was at length convinced that the have been taken for a Crimean soldier come two were really related as they said they were, back to Savoy, and seeking, in the quiet dis- and, moreover, that they were the victims of a charge of priestly functions, a pleasant repose merciless persecution. Rewarded handsomely after the hardships of campaigning. lIe has a for the service he had already rendered, he deep bass voice, with tender, musical modula- pledged himself to still further efforts in her tions, which give it a peculiar charm. Iis cause, and gave her, in her painful emergency, movements are rapid and abrupt-a circnm- the wisest counsel which his experience could stance, however, which does not affect his dig,- suggest. nified discharge of the sacred duties he has un- "Your presence in the Roman States," lhe dertaken. urged, "is useless, and even dangerous, since He goes through the ceremonial hurriedly, nothing would be easier than for your enemies and celebrates the mass in true military style. to lay hands upon you, under the pretense of Then giving his blessing to five or six females claiming to know how, and by what circumkneeling near the railing, the service over, he stances, you became connected with the conretires. vent at Forcassi, and what might be the nature The church is cold, but a stove in the sac- of the engagements binding you to them. Now risty diffuses there a pleasant warmth. The in this precious land of ours an inquiry may be priest disrobes, kneels before a priedieu, and protracted during six years. Not unfrequently repeats certain thanksgiving prayers inscribed the prisoner even, and his alleged crime, are on a card hanging near, and once more alike forgotten. So you had better go back to rises. France. Your brother is in the hands of the Turning to the sacristan, he asks whether Holy Office-fearful fellows those to have to there are any sick to be visited that day. deal with. It will require a very powerful in"I know of no one dangerously ill, M. le tervention to rescue him-and this you must Vicaire," replies that functionary. "There is try to obtain. Ply the Imperial Government in a stranger, however, who arrived from Italy two his behalf. Go to the Emperor himself, if sucl days ago, at the Hotel de la Porte, and who is a step is necessary." in great distress. Both she and the driver who Louise saw at once the good sense of his adbrought her found the passage of Mount Cenis vice. It was useless for her to risk her own terribly severe. They were all but buried in safety by going after her brother. She must the snow." try and save him. Full of indescribable grief, "I understand." she set out from the Tuscan frontier, and travAnd accordingly, in the afternoon, the curate eled to Mount Cenis by Florence and Turin, of Lans-le-Bourg took his way, wrapped up in a hoping to get on as quickly as possible to Ly A VICTIM OF TIHE INQUISITION AT ROME. 179 ons and Paris, that she might set about her shall no longer have to tread my difficult path cherished task without delay. alone. You will save brother and sister toThe passage of Mount Cenis had proved ex- gether." ceedingly difficult. The carriage became im- "I will do my utmost, at all events. While bedded in the snow, whence Louise, half dead you proceed to Paris, to press your appeal upon and frozen, was extricated by the monks of the the Government for your brother's release, I will hospice, under whose care she passed two most go straight to Rome, and see if there is no way anxious days. At first her onward progress of snatching him from the claws of those villains threatened to be indefinitely interrupted. It at the Ioly Office. The Inquisition will have turned out, however, on investigation, that the to be very sharp to thwart me. There are at conveyance, though half shattered, was capable present in my desk notes to the amount of of being sufficiently repaired to convey them to many thousand francs, which I got from an unLans-le-Bourg. Meanwhile her excessive fa- cle who, as it turns out, has died in the very tigues, added to her overwhelming solicitude, nick of time. They will act as a golden key, told powerfully on her enfeebled health. Those with which one might unlock the door of the few days had made havoc in her beauty, and Vatican itself." added years to her apparent age. Her solitary, Louise raised her eyes to Heaven in grateful deserted position-her terrible suspense-the all acknowledgment, and stretched out her hand to but despair which weighed her down, were ru- the noble-hearted, generous priest. ining her spirits and constitution; and her phys- In a few days the fever had entirely disapical frame, always predisposed to delicacy, could peared, and she was strong enough to undertake no longer bear up under the pressure of mental the journey to Paris. Loubere, meanwhile, had suffering crossed the Alps, passed rapidly through Turin Accustomed to form his conclusions as to the and Florence, and arrived at Rome. people he visited, the curate of Lans-le-Bourg saw at once that her state of health was not precarious, but that the trouble under which she CAPTER VI. labored, whatever it might be, demanded instant attention. So he made no mention ofLO E AT TE GES confession or the last sacraments, but cheered ON reaching Rome, Loubere, straightforward her up in her present sufferings, assuring her as he was, and consequently a bad hand at playthat a little rest would considerably alleviate ing a hypocritical game, saw, nevertheless, that them, and leading her to thank the all-merciful to attain his object he required the utmost canGod, who sustains His people in safety in the tion. His task was indeed difficult, especially presence of danger, and has secret designs of as he had to avoid the suspicions of the Jesuits, His own in every event of life. ever on the alert, through their police, to disHis genial words at once won her confidence. cover any threatened hostility. The Pyrenceans She saw at once that the man before her was combine with their mountain energy something one to be relied upon. of the astuteness of the Gascon, whose blood "Monsieur l'Abbe," she said, "I am in great they often share, and hence are quite capable need of your advice; my position is most cm- of being thorough Gascons at a pinch. Utterly barrassing." free from any thing like baseness or deceit, they And she described, as briefly as possible, her have, for all that, a marvelous instinct and readbrother's arrest, her own flight from the Pontif- iness of resource in cases of danger. Moreover, ical States, and her intention of going alone to in a country so full of natural perils, this aptiParis to procure official interference in his be- tude for adventure and hairbreadth escape is half." greatly developed, without at all impairing the As she related her short history the abbd honesty of their character. Take, for example, colored violently; he seemed intensely, almost the peasant of Auvergne; in his arduous and greedily, interested in the very smallest details. critical mountain life he displays, under his apWith an agitated voice he ventured the inquiry, parent geniality, all the clever astuteness of "Do you come from T-?" which we have been speaking. "Yes, Sir." Loubere concocted a complete scheme for his "Are you the sister of the Abbe Julio de la guidance. He did not at first take up his quarClaviere, the vicar of St. Aventin?" ters at the Hotel de la Minerve, where he would "I am. Do you know my brother?" have infallibly become an object of scrutiny in "I owe him my life, young lady. I was once the centre of a priestly crowd collected there vicar of the valley of Lys. Your brother is my from all corners of the Catholic world, but in benefactor, to whom I am infinitely indebted. the little out-of-the-way street delle Vecchierelle, My purse, my heart, my all, are at your service. very winding and very unobserved, lost, in fact, Command me in whatever way you please." in the centre of the vast buildings of the Gesu. "You are right, Sir, in what you just now There he obtained, at the modest sum of a few said. Providence, indeed, has its purposes in paolis a month, a room more comfortable even our affairs. I have been brought to a friend than he required for the retired and unobtrusive of Julio's. You revive all my courage. That style in which he proposed residing in the Eterprop which I needed I have now found. I nal City. 180 UNDER THE BAN. He repaired immediately to the cardinal vicar, This worthy man had become a Jesuit, being who acted under the Pope as Bishop of Rome, about the last man in the world qualified for the and presented for due inspection his ecclesias- position by his natural disposition. lie had tical vouchers, which were strictly in order. Be- been eagerly received by the ambitious society, ing asked in what church he wished to officiate so partial to great names, and had made rapid he replied that he was utterly unacquainted with progress by virtue of his high descent-a qualiRome. fication more appreciated in Rome than any "Where are you residing?" asked the secre- where else. The new Jesuit was passionately tary. fond of numismatic studies, a taste to which the "In the Via della Vecchierelle." society by no means objected. Under the pre-: Very well, then you are close to the church tense of furnishing him, in a large city, with evof the Gesu. As you are French you had better cry possible facility for pursuing his favorite reofficiate there." searches, they had brought him to Rome, where "Thank you. But haven't they a numerous his simple integrity, his amiability, and the unstaff of priests already?" mistakable evidence which he gave of being a "Not many just now, I fancy." genuine scholar, soon won for him general adDuring this brief dialogue the cardinal's see- miration. So he came to be a prominent man retary had been much struck by the manly, hon- among them, and was enrolled as one of their est face and figure of Loubere. Ile felt himself great council. instinctively drawn to him; and fiom motives Whether it was that Loubere felt in himself of kindness offered him a letter of reconimenda- a lively return of his old affection for his dear tion to the Rev. Father Sacriste of the Gisu. abbe marquis, as he used to call him at the sem"I am extremely obliged to you, Sir," said inary, or whether from an instinctive desire to Loubere. get admission within the mysterious Gesu, or And, offering his hand, he thanked him very whether, again, because it suited his plans to heartily. clear himself of all possible suspicion in any The official having given him a few lines in single quarter by his cordial relations with one Italian, a language which he knew perfectly, of the most dignified members of the order, he written very carefully and legibly, he added rejoined, eagerly: them to his other papers, and took his leave. "Then Father de Cambiac is here! Ah, so The very first thing the next morning lie re- much the better. I shall, indeed, rejoice to paired to the Gesu, fully attired as a French meet him again. We were old seminarists topriest-a garb which is always effective in Rome, gether. I am greatly indebted to you for the where priests generally are not over particular in gratifying intelligence. I will come and see their dress. Loubere presented his " celebret," him to-morrow." together with the letter he had received. "I will tell him of your intended call." "I bid you heartily welcome," said the sacris- "You are very kind." ty father. Accordingly, the next day, Loubere, who by And every facility was offered him, with that this time had assumed the air of an important obsequious courtesy so characteristic of the Jesu- personage, called at the Gesu, and inquired for its. To which Louberc, who was desirous to be Father de Cambiac. The porter intimated his perfectly free without shocking his Jesuit friend, arrival, and the next moment the two young replied: Frenchmen were together again, recalling those "I shall trouble you with very little of my happy by-gone days when imagination invests company, reverend father, during my stay in every thing with its bewitching spell, and hearts Rome, as there are several excursions in the yearning after such healthy interchanges ccneighborhood which I wish to make. On these ment the first indissoluble ties of life-long frienddays you won't see me at the Gesu." ship. "You are entirely your own master with us, The Jesuit, who had all the geniality of an M. l'Abbe. But wouldn't you like to be intro- honest student, received him with the sincerest duced to some of our fathers? We always give affection. The memories which Loubere rca hearty greeting to French priests-maDy of vived of those years of the past, the flight of them are French themselves." which every man regrets, with his extreme inAn idea struck-Loubere. genuousness, for he was not in the least changed " Have you a Father de Cambiac among you?" -recalled thoroughly to his friend's recollection "Yes, we have. IIe is one of our most re- the "ours Pyrcneen" of old times, as he used spected members." once to call him. This Father de Cambiac belonged to the pow- "We won't stay here any longer, dear friend erful family of the Marquis de Cambiac, one of -come to my room." the richest and most illustrious in old Langucdoc. And passing through a long corridor, and He had been a fellow-pupil of his at the sem- mounting a stone staircase which led to the first inary at T-. Moreover, they had conceived floor, they reached an ilnmense gallery, lighted for one another that warm affection of early by narrow windows very high up. A series of years-one of the most generous characteristics apartments stretched away to their left, and the of youth, and which survives, as a rule, many a third in the row was that of Father de Cambiac. vicissitude of after-life. For a dignitary of the order it was by no A VICTIMA OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 181 means costly in its arrangements. The room this moment of unreserved intercourse with you was spacious and airy, opening into an inner will cost me very dear. I must acknowlcdge apartment, which again admitted into the pas- who it is with whom I have had this treasonable sage, and served at once as a library and bed- conversation. I must repeat all that you have chamber. Indeed, all the apartments on this said in order to clear you of any suspicion of floor were exactly alike. Each father had his having come here to injure the order and wean large room and his library. Loubere left the me from my connection with it. Ah, that fatal Gesu thoroughly delighted with his recovered connection! How I grieve that I ever listened friend, who made him promise to come and see to the unhappy impulse which brought it about! him frequently during his stay in Rome. Happy shall I be if my compulsory confession "I will give orders," he added, "that you of what has passed between us in no way injures may be admitted at once to my quarters at the you, and if my only punishment be the deprivahours I have just named. We can chat about tion of your society! Just see, my friend, to our beloved France and dear old Languedoc. what a condition they fall who belong to a soIt will be'l'ours' and'le marquis' over again." ciety who sets itself up as a universal model. On one occasion Loubere found him almost Espionage and tyranny, instead of those glorious in tears. The conversation soon turned upon evangelical bonds which were designed to unite the cause of his distress, they had become so in- brothers in the communion of mutual love. But creasingly intimate in these frequent visits. De come, at all events, to-morrow or the next day. Cambiac opened his heart to him more freely I do not confess before Saturday, so till then I than he had ever done before. am free." "No, my friend," he said, "I am not happy Loubalre was unable to reply; he grasped the here. You were correct in your suspicions, for hand of his unhappy friend and left without a I am not satisfied with myself for being in this word. lHe was unable to return before the Friplace. Nothing can exceed the utter want of day, nor did he reach the building till ten minheart in those around me, for every one is watch- utes after the hour named by De Cambiac. Full ing every body else. They pay court to me os- of his own thoughlts, he threaded hastily the long tensibly in the most extravagant manner, but corridor, thinking of the distressing condition of they hate me at the bottom, because they say I the poor Jesuit marquis. Reaching the door of am devoid of the spirit of the order.'You the room which he took for his friend's he found never have any report to make upon the other it closed, while that of the adjoining library fathers' is the complaint against me. Think was open. Loubere was on sufficiently intimate you that that is a very grievous charge? Can terms to enter without ceremony, as he expected it be supposed for a moment that a man like the other to make his appearance every minute. me, busied in his studies, and snatching grudg- Ie entered the library, closing the door which ingly a few moments of necessary recreation, for led into the gallery, so that no one might see which the time is only too short, can be bothered him, ready to open it as soon as De Cambinc rewith spying upon the defects in manner and talk turned, and even chuckling at the surprise he of those around him? What an ungracious task would occasion him when he came back and to discharge! I have plenty to do without such found him ransacking his book-shelves. an occupation as that. Oh, how bitterly I re- He had, however, made a mistake; his friend's gret the free life of a priest outside! God is my room was two or three doors off. He was in the record that I would never have disgraced it; but private study of the general of the Jesuits, whose I ought not to have been inveigled into this iron suit of apartments, opening one into another, system of wheels within wheels, where ideas, occupied the centre of the range. Being, like feelings, personal liberty-all are regulated as the majority of priests, very fond of books, and by clock-work, with a daily precision the eternal fully under the impression that De Cambiac monotony of which knows no disturbance. It would turn up in a few minutes, he set to work is death to the soul; it is lingering suicide. to examine the volumes nearest to his hand. Yet what have I been doing? I shall have to They were spiritual treatises in different lanconfess to my spiritual father the indiscretion of guages, very much alike, and bound with great which I have been guilty in making this open taste, though not in a costly fashion, or perhaps, admission to you. My God! my God! what to speak more correctly, in a style of simple indescribable torture! Oh! is not sacred con- costliness. He admired the beauty of the edifidence like ours justified by the inward voice of tions-the fineness of the morocco, the handconscience? and yet my vows oblige me to re- some clasps. Restoring them to their place, he veal all that I have said to you. Were I to con- noticed a second row concealed behind them, ceal any thing, that very concealment would be bound with the same taste, but far more richly. sin, and then would come remorse and all the Curiosity is a powerful incentive. Moreover, he torments it entails. So I must make a clean was in a friend's room, and it never occurred to breast of it, and bury myself again in this chaos him that he was doing any thing incorrect. of littlenesses which unnerve me as a man, and These books consisted of a collection of the by no means elevate me as a Christian. Dear French literature of the day, and the first book Loubire, how I envy you your humble curacy at in the row, to his great amusement, proved to Lans-le-Bourg! And look you! such is the be one of the romances of Paul de Kock. Louwretchedness of this unendurable existence that bhre himself was not over particular in his read 182 UNDER THE BAN. ing; still, to discover one of tie most lax of Confessions of Strangers, Enemies of the Society; French novels, splendidly bound, on the shelves and these attracted him irresistibly. of a Jesuit dignitary, did seem a little extraor- "Let us see whether they have got poor Julio dinary. down among the enemies. He is entitled to be "After all," he said, "Pope Gregory XVI., there and no mistake." that furious absolutist, had his moments of quiet IIe opened the register and turned to his indulgence over the pages of this writer, so my friend's name. As he had suspected, foremost dear marquis may well be allowed the same in- in the list of deadliest foes was described elabnocent amusement. All the same, I should like orately his bosom friend. to know whether he ever mentions the fact to The list of crimes laid to his charge was cornhis spiritual director." plete. It contained the minutest details, such But picture his amazement when, just as he as one could scarcely imagine the acutest spies was hastening to replace the volume for fear of capable of obtaining. His tastes, his private being caught in his very questionable inspection, life, his relations with his sister-even his noca third row revealed itself, the binding of the turnal reception of the young Pyreneean girl most eccentric description, and as utterly un- in the presbytery of St. Aventin. studied as it is possible to conceive. The title Loubere-his interest fully aroused, and unof the first of these books, written on a roll of der the influence of the most feverish curiosity paper pasted to the back, was Confessions of the -took little heed of the flying minutes as he deFathers. In this roll was an alphabetical list, voured this private record. I-e had got as far carefully arranged. His curiosity fully aroused, as the expedition of the famous Denis, who had he opened the mysterious repertory. With an been enjoined by the fathers to allure Julio to eagerness easily understood he hunted out his Rome, when suddenly he heard a noise in the friend's initial. At the same moment a sudden adjoining room. Hastily restoring the books apprehension darted into his mind. to their proper order lie detected the sound of "Have I not made a mistake?" he said, to numerous footsteps, and at length comprchendhimself. "Is it possible that this is not De ed the full peril of his position. Cambiac's library?" To be detected in so flagrant a delinquency, lie could no longer doubt the truth of the and arrested either as a robber or a spy, and to case when he found, in its proper place, a corn- be rewarded for his rash curiosity either with plete summary of the young Jesuit's confessions. one of the cells of the Inquisition or with the But here we would not exaggerate. It is true convict prison of Terracina-such was the unthat, underneath the confession of each father, mistakable and by no means agreeable prospect their complete description and history had been that presented itself to his mind. But what added; but no particular sin was set down; the could he do? To leave the room abruptly, at seal of confession had not in the least been vio- the risk of arousing the attention of the fathers, lated. The Jesuits take good care always to whom he correctly supposed to be assembled in keep every thing square with the Almighty; the next room, appeared to him the height of they know how far they think they may go in madness. their hypocrisy to the Most High. Instead of evincing that prompt decision which De Cambiac was photographed to the life. in moments of danger marks resolute spirits like His simplicity and geniality; his want of tact his he felt an unaccountable terror creeping over and reserve; his very moderate attachment to him. His knees shook; lie stood riveted to the the order, to which he would never have be- spot, as though by a supernatural spell. longed had he not been drawn into it; his gen- During that terrible crisis chairs had been eral disposition; his impression that he was re- brought into the other apartment and silence imtained among the Jesuits only, according to the mediately ensued. Loubere overheard as disregister, that they might avail themselves of his tinctly as though he had been in the room the numismatic knowledge; his deep and real piety, customary Latin invocation to the Holy Spirit together with his constant hankering after the slowly uttered by the weak voice of an old man. unbridled life of a secular priest-all this was Again a fresh sound of chairs being moved, and set down in a telling and masterly style-the again a silence. man himself was there. It was evident that they were assembled in Meanwhile the time was rapidly slipping council, and he saw at once that he had the inaway. credible opportunity of being present at the su"If I am not in Do Cambiac's room where premc deliberations of that great company, realam I?" thought Loubere. ly composed of so small a number of men, but The place was profoundly still; no noise in which, by means of its restless ambition, had the next room, any more than in the long corri- exercised for three hundred years such a stupendor which he had just passed through on his dous influence over the Catholic world. way to this fatal door. Prudence and self- Meanwhile he remained in the most agonizing preservation suggested to him that he had bet- suspense. There is a fear unlike all other fears. ter leave the place, go straight to the parlor, It is but a light thing to be on a field of battle and inquire openly after his friend. But he at the cannon's mouth. No sooner has nature was a bold man; the adventure was exciting: recovered its first nervous surprise, and drunk other queer little registers were there, entitled in excitement from the thundering volleys, than A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 183 all sense of apprehension vanishes. Bullets do pathies of the revolutionists, for the nationalinot kill every one; and each reassures himself ties as they are called, will greatly aid us. The with the hope that he will escape. The true, originators of the scheme count on a general cry terrible, incurable terror is the dread of an un- of reproach and execration against Russia for known peril. trampling down unarmed and defenseless multiLoubere, under its fullest influence, was com- tudes. There will be an enthusiastic shout for pletely paralyzed. However there was nothing the martyr-nation. It will be impossible in that for it but to play his part to the end, all unable case for Russia to do otherwise than constitute as he was to adopt any better course or devise a new kingdom of Poland." a means of escape fiom his fearful position. "But Russia is perfectly able to stand out, Leaning his elbows on the table before him, and carry on a war of extermination against this his hands clenched together, his body rigid with unhappy nation." dismay, he awaited the issue in a state of stupe- " Quite true; but France will never allow it. faction, like some abject suppliant prostrate at She has constituted herself the Don Quixote of the shrine of a pitiless god. the nationalities. She will support Poland, and The discussion had already commenced. His either she will succeed in her aim, and we along situation made him an attentive listener to all with her, or else she will array a coalition that was going on; and his unnatural excite- against herself, in which case-" ment caused what he heard to be carved, as it "In which case?" inquired another of those were, into the recesses of his brain. present. The old man who had uttered the prayer was' In which case the revolution will be abanevidently the general. He summed up with doned for some time, and that will be all the great clearness in a sort of abstract-which Lou- better for us. The issues are in the hands of bere compared to a President's message to Con- God. Only let us confine ourselves to the part gress-the position of the order in the five quar- which we have to play in Poland; there is no ters of the globe. The Jesuits were prospering doubt that the support lent by the clergy to the wonderfully in England, in the United States, national movement is attracting to us, more and and in Canada where they were omnipotent, more, the attachment of that country. Should while in Belgium the bishops and the secular the evil days we apprehend overtake us; should clergy were completely in their power. we be expelled from the kingdom of Italy, and But in Poland they were even more supreme. even from the Papal States; should we be deThere, thanks to the exceptional position of the nied a refuge in any of the emancipated councountry writhing under the Russian yoke, their tries, as we may very reasonably apprehend, rule was a most thorough reality. still we shall have a safe asylum among this peo"My instructions," continued the general, pie so devoted to Catholicism, where we shall be "to our brethren in Poland, and I trust you will able to reconstitute ourselves, and wait for betapprove of them, are these: To do every thing ter days." to keep up those national antipathies which tend And then the general went on to speak at so effectually to promote religious enmities. To length of the condition of the order in the Rodepict the Russians on all occasions as infidels, man States. as enemies of the Church, as persecutors of the "Assuming the possibility of the Bourbons faith, as tyrants against whom any measures are being reinstated at Naples, we must promote justifiable. I am in constant correspondence especially the interests of the Queen-mother. with the Polish refugees in Paris, among whom Besides, the young consort, Maria Sophia, of are eager longings, which are daily gaining Bavaria, should she recover her influence over strength, and which the old Czartoriski will the feeble Francis II., would force him into a have some difficulty in restraining. Here is path of liberal concessions, and inspire him with their political scheme in which they are eager all that mistrust of our order which she has cxfor our help, relying upon our efforts to bring hibited here. She will never forgive us for hayabout a religious revolution when they will eman- ing been supported at Bavaria by Lola Montes, cipate themselves from the Russian yoke. The so we must do our best to sow dissensions beplan, long matured, communicated even at Paris tween the royal pair. Francis II., left to himto many illustrious personages round the French self, is sure to abdicate in favor of the son of the Emperor, with the view of securing his interest Queen-mother, and then Naples will be ours. in the cause of Poland, is as follows: Patriotic It is idle to avoid seeing that our position here hymns are to be sung in all the churches. This is uncertain in the extreme. The precarious will disturb the Russians, who will set their police condition of the temporal power shows us pretty on the move, and call out their troops; the same plainly what we may expect. Whether the Pope hymns to be sung in the public places where remains at the Vatican, or betakes himself to large gatherings take place. The order to be, some one of the Catholic nations, in the hope never to appear under arms. Should the sol- of rousing their sympathetic aid in favor of his diers receive directions to disperse the people, restoration to his dominions, we shall still have they are to fall on their knees and present.their to leave Rome. We are hated here more than bosoms to the Cossack's spear. We have sound- the papacy itself. The clergy themselves, exed a few of the organs of the press, even of the asperated by our ascendency over them, are our liberal organs. All favor Poland, and the sym- bitter enemies, quite as much as the revolution 184 UNDER THE BAN. ists, and will triumph equally in our fall. What "As his Holiness happened to be in a talkcare they for it; they will remain. These men, ative vein, he went on to tell me of the demands who only know how to baptize and to bury, have made by the French embassador for the liberanothing to apprehend from a people devoted to tion from our prisons of a young priest named the dry routine of ordinances, and ready to sell Julio, who had done us so much mischief in the Pope and cardinals at a moment's notice, France, and whom we have had the good forprovided only they keep their Madonna. More- tune to arrest.'Your Holiness,' I replied, over, the secular clergy are Italians, and natu-'would not desire to see that enemy of the rally sympathize with the Italian party. We Church at large. Priests are everlastingly at Jesuits have no nationality, our society is our the bottom of all kinds of evil in society: what country; we are cosmopolitans, and in that our havoc did not Luther and Calvin occasion. The real strength lies; but still this effectually iso- promptitude shown by Gregory XVI. in humlates us from the various nations who look upon bling by a blow the pride of Lamennais, arrestus, and causes us to be regarded on all sides as ed in France an explosion as dangerous as the foreigners. Hence the reason why the Italians so-called Reformation of the sixteenth century. will keep their priests, while they drive us into This Julio is a second Lamennais-more danan exile which may last for a long, long day." gerous even than the first. The one was a desThere was a moment's pause. Then came a perate man, and attacked even his friends; the debate, or rather, in parliamentary language, a other is a destroying wolf arrayed in sheep's conversation on the critical position of the pa- clothing.' pacy. One of the fathers ventured an opinion, "My argument appeared to weigh considerwhich was ill-received by the majority. ably wit the Pope.'Perhaps you are right,' "Surely it would be as well to sympathize he said.'At all events, popes are not in the with the revolution?" habit of interfering with the acts of the Ioly " Sint ut sunt ant non sint," said another fa- Office. I will pray to God and the Immaculate ther. "This resolute motto has saved us, and Virgin for guidance in the matter.' Thereupon it will yet save the temporal power. Rome I went forthwith to the cardinal minister, who knows how to put down the forward movement is thoroughly on our side. You know, fathers, by an invincible resistance of all efforts at fore- that he would be ungrateful in the extreme were ing her to yield. The actual struggle shows her he not: as we have greatly aided him in amassreal strength." ing his enormous fortune-his millions are pow"But every human institution must move erful arguments in our favor. lie grasped my on," continued the father who had suggested hand most cordially, and I told him the particthe conciliatory course. ilarsofmy interview with his Ioliness.'Don't In a moment hands were flung up and voices be afraid,' was his reply.' lie won't move in raised in indignant protest against the luckless the matter, I'll answer for that; your protdge author of this unwelcome sentiment, no other is safe enough under lock and key.' So we than De Cambiac, whose voice Loubere had lit- need have no apprehensions on that score." tie difficulty in recognizing. The eager interest of Loubere all this time The general resumed. never flagged for a moment. HIowever, he " The day before yesterday I had an audience couldn't help, fiom time to time, casting an with his Ioliness. The worthy Pope, who is eager look on that door so unfortunately closed not overfond of us, repeated his customary as- upon him. Meanwhile, possibly the Jesuit surances of good-will toward our order; while council might reveal to him some still more I, for my part, renewed our assurance of un- startling discovery. bounded devotion to his interests.'Yes,' he "Since I am in for it," he said to himself, replied,'I am very sure that your most illustri- "an hour or so more or less won't make much ous society is ready to exert itself to an infinite difference. Patience is all I require. I shall extent for the protection of the papal chair.' I manage to get away somehow or other." told him I would repeat to you what he had Iis courage was reviving by degrees. said, and that you would be delighted to hear "Bah!" he muttered, at length, "they can't it. I found him depressed and full of anxious eat me." thoughts, failing in health daily. It's a marvel "And now for the financial report," conthat, with his epileptic fits and diseased leg, he tinued the general. "Our expenses, as comlasts so long. Though we might easily have a pared with our accumulating revenues, are very Pope more heartily devoted to our interests, he limited. It must be allowed that this hateful is nevertheless in that position that he can't get modern civilization increases capital, at all on without us, and he knows it. IHe said to me, events; so we could not do otherwise than make shrewdly enough, that experience had taught our profit out of the greatly enlarged facilities him to recognize his true friends better than he which it affords. Our small savings immediatehad hitherto done. The day is far off that will ly after our re-establishment, thanks to excelsee him attempt to annihilate us by the kind lent investments, have realized enormous sums. help of Father Theincr; and in common with Lately, money has poured in in heaps. Legaall the various orders jealous of our ascendency, cies have been more numerous this year than he is becoming more tractable. Misfortune is ever: to such an extent, that, during the last bringing this about. three months, our section at Paris has been able A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 185 to take up, by my orders, two thousand shares with their studies. The lay brothers were next in the Seville-Xeres-Cadiz Company, to the sent for, but the one in charge of the general's value of a million; two thousand in the South apartments-who had left the door open, as it Austrian Lombard Company, at 500 francs a happened, that morning-was not in the buildshare, value a million; a thousand Saragossan ing. bonds, at 500 francs, value 500,000 francs: At a time when it was necessary to be always making a grand total of 2,500,000 francs. on the alert, when the Roman National Assem" There will be in the next six months, un- bly-the bitter enemy of the Jesuits-might dcless any unforeseen accidents occur, all the ac- vise at any moment some deadly plot, an incencumulating interest, our other revenues from diary design for instance, or a preparation of our Havre and Bordeaux ships, our establish- explosive bombs-the whole inhabitants of the ments at San Francisco, our commercial houses, Gesu were seized with an indescribable panic. with donations, and recoveries from the sale of The porter, on being questioned, had not noestates bequeathed to us. The total of our net ticed any thing out of the way. However, on profits during the year will exceed six millions." being closely questioned as to whom he had adAt this stage Loubere's anxiety returned with mitted, he stated that no stranger had passed renewed force; it appeared more than probable through the gate except the French, priest, who that the financial statement would close the pro- had frequently been there before on a visit to ceedings. It was a critical moment. Father de Cambiac, and who, by his special orThe question was, how to escape? der, was allowed to go straight to his room as Should the lock which he would have to at- often as he came. He had been three hours tack make any noise; should any one come sud- with him that day. Whereupon the general denly upon him and detect him escaping from summoned Father de Cambiac to tell him at the private apartment of the general, what an what time the stranger had come to him, and occurrence that would be at the Gesu! And when he left his apartment. even if he escaped out of the room unheard, he Father de Cambiac declared that he had nevmight be observed in his way down, and the er seen him the whole day. The porter was porter be warned. However, that was his only summoned again, and mentioned the exact hour course. at which the French priest had arrived and gone In a state of the greatest possible excitement, up the main staircase, for he had seen him with as though he were on the eve of committing his own eyes, as well as the hour at which he some desperate crime, and blushing up to the had come down. roots of his hair, he stepped across to the door, What a singular mystery! Could it be posgrasped the handle of the lock, turned it as sible that Father (l Cambiac was plotting against quietly as possible, and let the bolt slip back the order to which he belonged? His agitation gently into its position. Unfortunately, how- on his return from the library to the councilever, the hinges wanted oiling; so the result of chamber-the conviction present in every mind opening the door was a creaking sound, which by the precision of the porter's declaration that no one could mistake, and which was distinctly the strange priest had been there that day, and audible in the inner room. that he had not been seen going out-the evi"'Who can that be in my apartment at this dent falsehood of Father do Cambiac, who must hour?" said the general. "Just go and see certainly have admitted him-all this compliwho it is," he added, to Father de Cambiac, cated state of things threw the entire establishwho happened to be nearest to the door. ment into the utmost perplexity. And, as imagHe rose and went into the library, perceived ination is ever ready to run wild, even in Jesuit that the outer entrance was open, looked through brains, the idea of a plot, with Father de Caminto the long passage, and saw a priest, whom biac at its head-who, moreover, had betrayed he recognized at once to be Loubere, making himself to the council by his two ill-omened exoff as rapidly as possible toward the principal pressions of opinion which had so greatly scanstaircase. Greatly amazed, and showing his dalized them-acquired rapid growth. The dismay in his countenance, he returned to the panic was general, in the midst of which Passagcouncil-chamber, and reported that the library- lia's defection rose to the recollection of all. door was half open, but that there was no one Once more the secret council assembled. The there. equivocal conduct of Father de Cambiac was seIn a house so strictly regulated as the Gesu, verely reprehended, as being altogether unprecethis incident of the general's door being half dented in that place. They determined to send open during a conference involved all present in him to some one of their far-off establishments suspicion, even the general himself. A general to do penance; and that at once. If the father search ensued; they rushed into the corridor, to were really guilty, and had betrayed any secret, the evident dismay of poor De Cambiac, whose his departure would arrest the plot. If lie were disturbance was remarked as very suspicious. innocent, still his submissive obedience would Next, the interior of the library was examined, be a meritorious sacrifice before God. but with no result; the corridor was empty. Such was the summary justice of the secret The rooms of the other fathers were explored; council. but all of them, with the exception of the mem- The next day Loubere ascertained that his bers of the council, were found quietly occupied friend had left Rome. 186 UNDER TILE BAN. CHAPTER VII. "Are you speaking seriously?" he asked. "Most unquestionably I am." A SMALL MIONSIGNOR. " It is a grave matter, you see. I might ruin LOUBERE felt pretty confident that he was in my future prospects......" some way connected with Father de Cambiac's "You're too sharp for that. You know you departure from Rome; but to avoid all suspi- all understand one another like pickpockets at cion he continued to officiate at the Gesu. He a fair; you didn't begin yesterday to play the had a letter of introduction to the Abbe Ber- game'scratch me and I'll scratch you.' What trand, one of those French priests employed to is it that you have to do, after all? Simply to communicate between Rome and the various gain over two or three members of the Holy bishops, and who conduct the business of sev- Office. Perhaps one will be enough-a comeral dioceses. missioner or an influential councilor. Just The vicar-general of Chambery had, very bring all your cunning into play; there's plenty obligingly, brought him under the notice of this of that article on hand here. If you find yourofficial, from whom he received a most gracious self driven to the most powerful argument, slip welcome. Intimately acquainted as he was with one of these coins into their hands. I brought all the peculiarities of the Roman prelates, he them, I assure you, for that sole purpose. I was calculated to be of considerable service to don't intend taking a single one of them back him in the object he had in view. He intro- to Savoy. Must I fling them into the Tiber?" duced him in every quarter; while Loubere, Fling them into the Tiber! The bare idea with his candid, straightforward disposition, of it horrified monsignor. soon succeeded in acquiring invaluable informa- " These French priests are a parcel of fools," tion bearing upon the execution of his scheme, he said to himself; "( but they're as self-willed with reference to which, be it observed, he as mules. M. Loubere would be the last man maintained the strictest secrecy toward the Abbe to break his word." Bertrand. "You sha'n't fling them into the Tiber," he Among others, he chanced more particularly rejoined. to meet a junior member of the Papal court, "Very good, take as many of them as you Monsignor Andrea Giusto, a private chamber- want to begin with. You shall have the relain of the Pope, who paid him considerable at- mainder when you give me back my friend." tention, appearing to be much struck by his sim-' We must gain over a few more of the Vatplicity and geniality, and cultivating his ac- ican prelates." quaintance with that wheedling obsequiousness "Be it so, then. I take you at your word. which is the peculiar characteristic of the degen- Will these four heaps be enough?" crate Romans. There could be little doubt that And his avaricious acquaintance made a he was a man to be bought. His private repu- quiet calculation for a moment, with a face of tation was none of the best; in fact, the infe- such grave solemnity that it was all Loubere rior appointments at the Vatican are by no could do to refrain from laughing outright. means carefully made. So it will be no matter He was endeavoring to reckon up the number of surprise to learn that on one of his visits to of Roman crowns in the pile placed at his imLoubere he opened his wide eyes with evident mediate disposal. eagerness at the sight of a pile of gold pieces "To insure success, Sir," he replied, with a which our friend was amusing himself by count- look of profound reflection-" in fact, to do the ing on the table. thing effectually, I think it would be as well to "This is the buona mano," said Loubire, treble the amount. In that case I undertake "intended for the man who will help me in the the commission." rescue of an unlucky friend of mine." " By all means. Here are four more lots, "Which might easily be accomplished," re- making two-thirds of the sum I have set apart plied the prelate, at once taking the bait. for the purpose." "If you undertook it thoroughly, it might "You understand that I consent to this certainly be managed." agreement, and promise my co-operation in the "Then I will, with all my heart. State the matter you have at heart, because it is of so particulars." laudable a character; otherwise I would not "They are very simple-a mere piece of im- touch this money, of which not a single coin prudence. A young priest, a most intimate will stay in my private pocket. Ah! signor friend of mine, has been silly enough to drop abbate, it is so difficult, at present, to succeed in into the clutches of the Holy Office." any enterprise at Rome. In days gone by, in "Oh, oh! the Holy Office. A powerful in- the good old time, in the reign of Gregory stitution that, signor." XVI., all you had to do was to get hold of "Nonsense. Do you mean to tell me that Gaetanino, who was once his barber, and beyou fellows, attached to the Pope's person, can't came his most intimate confidant. The quarter do any thing you please? Come now, look at of this money would have been enough, and this money; handle it, if you like. Do what I more than enough, for the purpose. But that ask, and it is yours." happy state of things has passed away. It is The Italian cast a greedy look on the golden hard enough even to please the Pope, who is heap, so carefullypiled up, and so bright-looking. very strict; and as to getting a favor out of him A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 187 that is harder still. Probably, too, you wouldn't ings and aims are absorbed in the desire for its like to leave Rome without being made a knight aggrandizement. The " non-possumus" is an of some one of the Papal orders? That's not utterance in which he intensely believes. Yet, difficult-merely a matter of a few scudi." clever as he is, he is not a genius. As to what "I've no great longing in that direction, be- is passing in the religious world he is as ignolieve me." rant as an old woman. The religious press of "That I could certainly manage for you. Paris is everlastingly startling his propriety, and Look here! I could even get you the Order of hardening him in his antagonistic policy, as it St. Gregory the Great or the Golden Spur. has the Pope, the cardinals, a great majority of Which would you like?" the bishops, ditto of the priests, as well as a "We'll settle that by-and-by, if I have any considerable section of serious laics. He is unmoney over that I don't know how to get rid doubtedly a good man, and his real creed is of in any other way." right; yet for the moment he will swear, im"Yet it's a sort of thing that's thought a good movably, by the Gospel according to Veuillot, deal of by the French clergy." as it is expounded to him day after day, with " Oh, as for me, I'm settled for life, and have amazing precision and rare polemical suavity, been long ago." by illustrious doctors, among the ablest of whom At this stage of the conversation monsignor, we may mention Coquille and Taconnet. who was itching with impatient eagerness to Fortified by their teaching, he is firmly conclutch the gold-stretched out his long bony vinced that his resolute opposition to any attack hands toward the sum allotted to him, lying on on the tiara is an effectual checkmate to Euro-'the table near Loubere. Then, stealthily grasp- pean diplomacy. His "No," he thinks, will be ing it, he slipped it slowly into his pocket, made the admiration of posterity; while the glory a low obeisance, and withdrew. of Antonelli, the cardinal minister, will shine "I shall soon hear from you?" said Loubere. through ages yet unborn. " On the earliest possible day, signor abbate." But this in no way interferes with the fact that he has managed to make hay while the sun --- * —- shines, in sage anticipation of possible rain. A few fair millions will secure him an easy comCHAPTER VIII. petence, no matter where, and leave him free from all self-reproach as to his present manageCARDINAL ANTONELLI. ment of his share of the revenues of the purple. CARDINAL ANTONELLI has been greatly ca- Such is a sketch of the man with whom lumniated in Europe. He is the flower of the France negotiates in all matters relating to inSacred College; a thorough Parisian, polished ternational politics. in his manners, appearing as a young man still, Julio's imprisonment had created a great stir. a character which suits him well. As he en- One of the principal and best-informed Brusters the Vatican, to have his customary audi- sels journals had given a full account of the exence, in his fashionable attire, rather tight-fit- traordinary kidnapping of his sister, the roting round the waist like a cavalry officer's, it mantic story of the convent burglary, with the is easy to see that there is probably a great des- melancholy wind-up of the drama in the duntiny in store for him. In this guise he shows geons of the Holy Office. himself as prime minister, but without an atom So Louise found ready sympathy on her arof pride.. He is a pleasant man to talk to- rival at Paris. Her beauty, youth, and misthough he has a habit of concealing his real fortunes pleaded eloquently with many a graythoughts under the veil of elaborate diplomatic headed official at the Ministry of Foreign Afphraseology, expressed, be it told to his credit, fairs. She found no difficulty even in securing in the very best French. In his bearing he is the ardent sympathy of the Minister himself. courteous in the extreme. As you quit his pres- Indeed interest in the captive was aroused in ence, it is difficult to realize that you have been the highest quarters. The French embassador speaking to the chief of an obstinate reactionary received a diplomatic note enjoining him to Government. You rub your eyes, to make sure leave no stone unturned to effect the abbe's that you are positively in the Vatican, and not deliverance. in the audience room of the minister of a free Thus instructed, he lost no time in sounding constitutional kingdom. We may add in his Cardinal Antonelli. He enlarged on the sympraise, that he would be as zealous a public serv- pathy which was felt for the prisoner in France; ant to a State in advanced liberalism, of the influential protection which had been exHe is one of those men that surrender their tended to his sister at Paris; and of the good services to a political system with all the faith- effect which his release would accomplish. In fulness they would exhibit in attaching them- short, the wording of the application was a triselves to the cause of a friend. His defense of umph of diplomatic skill. the temporal power is offered in the most thor- The cardinal heard him through. ough good faith, and with a chivalrous grace "It is simply impossible, M. l'Embassadeur," and disinterestedness well calculated to disarm he replied, "simply impossible. You seem to his bitterest opponents. He is the superintend- forget that of all Roman Orders, the one inent of a wealthy house, all whose private feel- volved in the present case admits of no dicta 188 UNDER THE BAN. tion-no, not from a minister like me, an em- dated Paris, informed Loubere of the great sucbassador like you, an emperor like your august cess she had had, and of the aid which had been master, nor even from his Holiness himself. We promised her through the French representative have no desire to alter this state of things, least at the Papal court. of all to make a change in the Holy Office. He made vain efforts to see Julio, that he Niil innovandumn. On the return of the Pope might, at least, give him his sister's letter. Strict from Gaeta two courses were open-either to in- orders-issued more strictly in this special case troduce a thorough revolution, or to resume -forbade any admissions to the cell. quietly the old regime. The latter appeared to He next went in quest of the prelate, who had be the more logical, and so it was adopted. not turned up in any way since his disappearHence our absolute adherence to precedent. Be- ance with the gold. At first Loubere was very tween ourselves, the holy Inquisition, coexten- patient. However, as the time slipped by withsive with Catholicism itself, denounces mod- out any sign of matters being in train in that ern civilization. Yet it is a main support of quarter, he determined to pay him a visit. He the ecclesiastical arch-upset it, and the result was received almost haughtily, and greeted with is a general overthrow. We must not forget "We shall see. I'm very sanguine;" and at that we are in a kingdom of priests. Any crime every subsequent interview the answer was the affecting religious interests ought necessarily to same. meet with condign punishment at our hands. "Nice, that," thought he to himself, "I'm The Holy Office terrifies-nothing more. Its fleeced. I see the golden key can't open every bark is worse than its bite." door in Rome. Oh, my fine chap, I'll make you " And yet, your eminence, it can lay hold of smart for this!" victims, and that for no great faults either." He resolved on taking more energetic meas"No great faults! Do you call it nothing ures. One fine morning, when every body else to violate a cloister? Do you make so little of was fast asleep in bed, he knocked at the presuch an audacious sacrilege in a consecrated late's door, and told the concierge that he must building?" see him on urgent business. "It was committed in behalf of his sister, She got up in a hurry, put on her dressingand to accomplish her rescue from Forcassi, gown, and admitted him forthwith. where she had been kept against her will." "So, so," said the stout Pyreneean, in a tone "Then he should have appealed to the civil of voice that had a strange significance-" it's powers." time we settled this affair. Either you set to " And do you think he would have succeeded work in earnest, or return my money, Monsigin that way, your eminence?" nor de Giusto. Do you understand me?" " Possibly. I admit, however," he added, The poor wretch, little used to this peremptowith a smile, " that he would have had to wait ry style, trembled as he stood before him. a little." " He abuses his position," he said to himself.'Then don't blame him for having adopted "Ah, if it were not for that vile army of occua more expeditious course-even granting that it pation, wouldn't I pop him into a dungeon alongis illegal." side of his friend! But it is a dangerous thing "I don't blame him at all, I assure you. I to lay hands on a Frenchman. It is necessary understand his motive and feeling perfectly. to have a proved offense, as in the case of the But the Holy Office doesn't. And if you de- Abbe Julio." stroy the terrors which it inspires, do you im- "M.'Abbe," he said, in a whining-tone, "I agine that our thousands of religious houses have done my utmost, I assure you. If you scattered over Italy would be safe for a mo- only knew the pains I have taken, the efforts I ment? Banditti, who have no respect for the have made in your behalf! Stay, I'll give you best guarded, wealthy mansion, shrink from en- a proof of my zeal. I am in a position, by means tering the convent gate. To cross that threshold of your money-understand me clearly-to reis the very worst profanation; and the Inquisi- peat to you all that passed between Cardinal tion, with the dismay it creates wherever it is Antonelli and the French embassador on this named, exercises a protecting power which no subject." laws could extend. The idea of rotting in its And he detailed the whole conversation recells, of being damned here and hereafter, stops corded above. the ruffian, shields the convent, and is a perpet- Loubere calmed down. It is true that Pyreual safeguard against every description of sacri- neeans are hasty, but they are also very generous. lege. We would do any thing else your Gov- The wretched prelate was more dead than alive. ernment might ask; but this we can not do. However, he joyfully marked the alteration in The restoration of the little Mortara was much the other's tone and manner. simpler, and yet, to accomplish that, it was nec- " Good Heavens! that's dreadful. And you essary to stultify the proceedings of our civil and think there is no other prospect of success?" religious legislature-a thing which a govern- "Only to intercede with the Pope, which I ment is always averse to doing." mean to do, I assure you, with all possible disThe embassador saw that it was useless to patch; but give me a little time." press the matter further. " Very good. I will be back in a week." Meanwhile a communication from Louise, And as he retraced his steps, in a despondent A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 189 frame of mind, the idea occurred to him that he And producing a roll of twenty-franc pieces, would visit the scene of Julio's exploit, which he tore off the paper, and turned out on the Louise had so touchingly described to him. smuggler's table gold coins to the amount of "I'll set off for Forcassi," he said to himself. one thousand francs. Such a heap had never "That will compel me to leave this man in peace been in that house before. for a time." "Take back your money," said Jacomo: "I The next day he buried himself in a corner have been well paid already by the young lady, of the Viterba diligence, and in due course ar- while I feel I have only done half my work. We rived at Vetrala. must rescue her brother." " Any way of effecting that?" -— * —-' "We can only try; Jacomo is not fond of boasting. But since his excellency the French CHAPTER IX. embassador has failed it is high time I interfered, as it is out of the question to leave the TB E Sd M w GGLER. poor dear fellow in that vile hole. I only saw LonBERE devoted a whole hour to our Lady him for a few hours, but I can't tell you how I of Forcassi. He saw the black statue, the ward- was taken with him; why, I love him like my robe, the pictures, the carved cloister rail, which own child. He shall be out before another week; had been restored with as little delay as possible, only I can't act alone: so you must give me your and which, in spite of the careful effort of the sympathy and help. Here, take up that gold, artist to make the new wood-work as like the we shall want it at Rome. Good-by, wife. old as he could, showed very plainly where the Pray the Holy Virgin to bless our enterprise; breakage had been effected. it is full of peril, but it is very glorious." He was greatlyinterested in every thing around Loubere and Jacomo set out for Civita Vechim; and pictured his friend grasping the ven- chia. The same night they reached Rome. erable grating, and crying out in his excitement, "My sister! my sister! Give me my sister!"It fell in with his arrangements to occupy the week's grace he had given Giusto in visiting the CHAPTER X. neighborhood of the Lake of Bolsena, and the rU IX. AD T OUTBREAK AT ROME. large Etruscan towns between Viterba and Corneto, returning to Rome by the Civita Vecchia VERY prominent is the position occupied by railway. On quitting Forcassi he resolved to Pius IX. in the religious history of the present go and pay Jacomo a visit. day. It will be the singular fortune of Mastai Louise had so thoroughly described the brave to have entered on his pontificate amidst the man's abode that he had very little difficulty in shouts of liberals and the anathemas of the clerfinding out the small white house. The smug- ical faction, and to leave it with this two-fold gler was at home. They were soon intimate; expression of sentiment exactly reversed. The for nothing develops intimacy like community very men who are shouting at this moment, of interest and warm attachment to the same "Long live the Pope-King, the immortal Pius friend. IX.!" are the same that in 1847 declared that "Jacomo, you are a courageous fellow: I "the choice of Mastai was the worst that could feel as grateful for your conduct as if you had have been made-that he was a revolutionary saved my life instead of that charming girl's." Pope." "And how about her poor brother?" The question arises, how is this change of "Ah!-you know where he is?" sentiment to be explained? Was Mastai an "In the devil's clutches." absolutist in liberal clothing, or is he now a lib" Worse than that: you can come round the eral in absolutist clothing-a mere truckler to devil by selling yourself to him." the pardonable desire to live at peace with his And Loubere described the efforts which had cardinals and bishops, so completely steeped in been already made, and their utter failure. ultramontanism? Nothing of the sort. The Jacomo looked very grave. truth is, he is naturally a moderate man; but, " So the embassador of the Emperor of the alarmed at the slippery paths along which royal French has been to the Pope, and failed." reformers are being drawn in their pursuit of "Yes." liberty, he is taking refuge in the temporary "H'm!-looks bad, that. Yet but for the shelter of opposition-like a mariner huddled French the Pope would have to pack up his up under a rock, but whom the swell, as it rolls tiara." by, will soon whirl out into the midst of the " Exactly so. Only he doesn't care to over- breakers. rate the service in our eyes. My small prelate, Pius IX. has had the fate of Louis XVI., too, has had no better success than the embas- without the scaffold. Like him, a man of good sador." intention, distressed at the evils engendered by "I see. Kept your gold, though-hasn't he?" the previous reign, it was not surprising that he "I should think so." should introduce a system of government calcu"If I only had a quarter of the sum......" lated, in some measure, to do away with them.'Don't speak of it. Here's plenty more." He found affairs in such utter confusion that 190 UNDER THE BAN. the authorities could not even furnish him with his measures, probably from an appreciation of a list, much less with particulars, of the pris- the full force of the "Deus ex machina" rule. oners in the Roman dungeons. So, in order Dilatory because he sees the full value of delay, to clear out these Augean stables effectually, as much in the interests of his own government he had to publish a general amnesty, embracing as for the purpose of realizing gradually a crisis alike bandits, assassins, and political offenders. which, were it to he consummated at a blow, A characteristic incident in the opening meas- would prove too overwhelming-his hesitation ures of his reign was his administering the blessed is prudent. All great events in the world's hissacrament with his own hands to all these vic- tory have been thus brought about. tims of the old regilme, to the great horror of the When an old oak branch, dried up by long Jesuits and cardinals. winters, after having been for some time strippYed Beyond all doubt he is very superior to those of its foliage and bark, and invaded by myriads around him. It is difficult to imagine the want of insects, is attacked by the winds, it does not of mental vigor in that Roman prelacy which fall at once: first comes a last decay, a last givforms what Italians call the Curia. It could ing way, ere the storm gathers its forces from not but happen that generation after generation, the horizon and stretches it on the plain. brought up in studies strictly limited to a certain Just so will it be with the temporal power. modicum of theology, must eventually of neces- Napoleon III. will spare it the humiliation of a sity reach the lowest depths of intellectual deg- sudden crash. No scaffold, prison, or exile for radation. the Pope. There will come a day when Pius Under the tight rein of the blameless occu- IX., or his successor, will find that his tiara has pant of the chair of St. Peter the traditional lost two of its circlets, that the Pontifical rim laxity of the Roman prelates has become less alone remains. Such is the issue which the conspicuous. Up to the time of the arrival of great arbiter of the Roman future has called the the army of occupation these illustrious dignita.- solution of Providence." ries were the heroes of endless flirtations. But Till this final day, of which few take note, on the appearance of the epaulets monsignor was the Papacy will prolong an obnoxious and weaquietly put aside; the military lover superseded risome existence during the long interval of an the ecclesiastical, who was driven into ignomin- intermediate regimen, designed to accustom it ious retirement by the more lucky conquering by degrees to the coming change. Nothing is heroes. more common than for a visitor at Rome to see Whatever be the prospects of the Papacy a the Pope at some public ceremony, or possibly few years hence-whether some diplomatic corn- at a church, hospital, or convent, weeping bitpromise is effected, involving no leading ques- terly. The last of the priest-kings seems to feel tion, but postponing the final adjustment to a all the burdensomeness of the stately solitude future day, like worn-out clothes clung to with that girds a crowned head, whether that crown affectionate pertinacity till they are unable to be hereditary or elective. hold together-or whether the prayer of Italy Loubere, though by no means given to tears, will be heard, and Rome given her for a capital as a rule, was deeply affected on seeing the Pope, -this grand issue, which fifteen years ago we one day, coming out of the Church of the Trinilittle thought to be so near, is actually an ac- ta del Monte, and getting into his carriage. A complished fact. Pius IX. is king only by the few mounted riflemen in faded and tattered blue grace of Napoleon's legions, and illustrates in uniforms were in front. The carriage itself was his own person the absurdity of the notion that neither simple, as might suit the profession of a the spiritual power can not exist without the Christian priest, nor yet gorgeous and grand, like temporal-a notion which, though it is not as- that of a mighty monarch. Loubbre felt deeply serted as a dogma by the cardinals and bishops, these marks of evident decay. "Poor king!" is so put forth as that the opposite creed is con- he thought, as he looked at the spectacle. demned as heresy. Yet here we have had a But when the form of the victim of the priestPope for fourteen years exercising his full spir- hood appeared at the church-door, with the genitual rights, decreeing doctrines, holding con- tie, loving eyes-the eyelids red witH weeping sistories, issuing encyclical letters; yet main- and still dropping tears-the hand raised in setained in his political position all the while by rene though sorrowful majesty, to bless the few an army of occupation, on whose good pleasure who happened to be gathered round-the unpolhis honorary kingship depends; this vassalage, ished Pyreneean instinctively fell on his knees however, in no way impairing his other rule. to receive the benediction from the all but brokSo the experiment has been tried; and should en-hearted potentate. Victor Emanuel once come to the Quirinal, no Some fellows were staring with a passionless matter what the form of government at Rome, expression while this touching scene was being the spiritual ascendency of the Pope would re- presented. Of little account to them was the main the same. blessing of a weeping sovereign. They knelt The tardiness of the French Emperor in set- because they had been accustomed to do so, and tling a question which he alone has it in his rose laughing. power to adjust has long irritated the political "Vulgar wretches!" he muttered, almost world. His delay has weakened his popularity; aloud. "And yet," he went on to reflect, yet, though he knows this, he has not hastened " this royalty is virtually lifeless. All they see A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 191 is the carriage and riflemen. They are silent act a conspicuous part in the approaching man. to the king. But when, from the balcony of ifestation, and with whom he had spent two St. Peter's, the Pope, with his sweet ringing hours that morning, never breathed a word of it. voice, makes the "'Benedicat vos" distinctly They met on the Place d'Espagne. audible among the masses beneath, these very "Any news?" he asked Loubere. men would bow lower than I should. There "No," was the reply, "except that I have they recognize the vicar of Christ; while here just seen the Pope cry." their icy nonchalance is due to the difference in "And well he may." the element presented." Loubere did not understand him; the reader There was a good reason for the Pope's cmo- will guess at once who he was. tion that day. He had heard from his secret Jacomo, an old soldier of Garibaldi, a smugpolice that a great national demonstration was gler with a strong sinewy arm, and steadfast to take place the next morning at the instiga- anti-papal heart, was too valuable to be overtion of the National Committee; that that time looked. An agent of the Committee met him. would probably be the last in which he would "Jacomo, we shall want you to-morrow." be able to call himself a crowned king-a dignity "Very well, signor." which he valued little for himself, but which he He had first received a few paolis to drink to felt it incumbent upon him to hand down to his the downfall of the Pope-King, and then his successors. commission, with the quiet ease of a man who Disturbances in Rome are unlike disturbances was always ready. any where else, such as the present age has mul- "Now attend," resumed Jacomo; "I am tiplied before us. They bear the mild designa- thoroughly at your service; but I must have tion of manifestations. At Paris, the gun and some men at my disposal to break open the Inbayonet are in full force; at Rome, things are quisition cells, and let out a brave friend or two, managed in a very different manner. Its move- to swell our hosts." ments are strictly prudent, and in submission to "As far as that goes it will be a capital dithe authority of the Committee. Should they version." find it necessary or expedient to rouse the pop- To avoid suspicion and to secure to himself ular sentiment and sound the views of the Pon- the power to go about the town without danger, tifical Government on any pressing question; canvassing his friends, and feeling generally the or, again, to ascertain the attitude the French popular pulse, the agent of the Committee went general is likely to take in certain contingen- to the police to tell them that a blow was about cies, the note is given, "To the Corso!" which to be struck. means, "After the gens d'armes; use your "We know that," was the reply. blades with prudence; cry,'Down with the " I heard something about an intended attack Pope!' but don't go any further. The hour for on the prisons." the final blow is not yet." " Thank you; much obliged." The outbreak of the 2d February, 1861, will This little farce played, the agent might safenot soon be forgotten. The great anxiety then ly proclaim his wishes under the whole heaven, was to know what might be France's intention: without the Pontifical spies ever dreaming of it was notorious that the French embassador watching his proceedings. No fear from a man was favorable to Italian unity. who had put the government on its guard. "We are very weak and inactive," said one On the 2d of February, exactly at the hour of the most ardent members of the Committee. named by the Committee, a compact body of " We seem to be expecting our partridges to fall men, dressed in the old national style, took up down roasted from the trees. The policy of the their position in the Campo Vaccino, the apEmperor is to affect to protect the Pope; but proaches to the Coliseum, the Place Navone, the if we were to overpower our Government, after Corso, the Place del Popolo, and every other a few French shots fired for the look of the quarter of general concourse. thing, we should be left to ourselves, and the The police on this side had made various arlonging of years would be accomplished." rangements for a probable fight. Often intimate This wise counsel had been followed. The friends are arrayed on opposite sides in these plan was-to study the attitude of the general struggles, and the singular interchange may be in command of the troops; to see if, in case of heard of one, in perfect good humor, crying out a revolution, he would take a course decidedly to the other, as though he were referring to some hostile to the national party, or whether he engagement connected with a pleasure partywould yield to gentle pressure, and leave the Ro- " We shall meet to-morrow;" and receiving mans to their own devices. for answer, Jacomo was two days' journey from Rome at "Yes, I am going to put an edge on my the time that this storm was brewing. To judge sword." by appearances, a revolution was close at hand: such, at least, was the upshot of the secret report presented to the Pope..Loubere seeing the city in its repose dreamed little of coming disturbance. A Roman who knew all that was going to happen, who was to 192 UNDER THE BAN. CHAPTER XI. land of your birth, and where you played as a ROMA N KBEGG ARS. child. It's good-by to life, Signor Pietro, for liberty is life. To be free, without a good din-'"WHERE are you going, Pietro?" ner to trust to, is better than to be caged up "To the Corso; there's something up." with regulation diet, and gratings in front of "And what have you got to do with it, you you, like wild-beast cages. At least, so say I." fool?" "Say it and welcome, then-good-by." "I-why I'm a patriot; I've only rags to "Stop; one word more." show; but I fancy I'm a Roman for all that." "Well?" "Well, what next?" "You are getting to like work, are you?" "What next? I am going to hear what my "Not I; but I'll put up with it; it's better betters have got to say. They are sick of being than to be always stretching out your hand, and priest-ridden, and want to get rid of monsignori. filling your porringer with convent soup." Every one in his place; priests in churches, men "What a notion! What's there humiliating of the world in the government offices." in that? Aren't monks beggars as much as "What a jolly yarn, my boy! I never heard we? Don't they go about to houses asking any thing of the kind in my day; but I don't alms? Why, these monks elevate us. In understand it, so speak out. You want to kick stooping to our ways they raise us to their levout Pope, monks, and priests; is that it?" el, and many a monk has been a Pope. Beg"Not in the least, governor." ging in them has reached the chair of St. Peter. " Why, can't you see that that's what they're And that's something to brag of." pushing at?" "Thank ye, for the honor. What I find is,'No, because it ain't." that a workman is respected, and a beggar de"Get along with your madonna mia; why, spised. Do these begging monks you talk of you are soft, Pietro. You are working your own find a very warm greeting? Why, they only destruction, and of those belonging to you, and get what they ask, as a matter of course, often leaving your father in his old age." because people can't help giving, because they "I don't see it......for these....." don't like to be marked out for abuse. I know "Yes, you are; you'll go and shout,'Long that, I do." live the Pope!'" "You'll break your father's heart, if you keep "No, I won't!" in your present mind." "Poor fool! just listen here. Who is it that "Don't take on in that way, I'll support you gives you your liberty, uncontrolled, and with when I'm a man. Good-by; wait patiently. all its blessings? Isn't it the Pope?" See this blade-sharp, isn't it? The Pope's "Well, I go in for a proper government; it guard had better look to themselves." would be more the sort of thing for the country." "Oh, you wretched boy! but, Pietro, listen "Do you? Don't you see that the real king once more." of Rome is not the Pope but the beggar? You "What is it, father? I'm in a hurry." smile; but I repeat, the beggar, in his dirty, tat- "You've some reason you haven't told me tered, old gray coat. You and I are the true for going and mixing yourself up with that row, kings in this place, which clever chaps are fun- where there's nothing for our sort to get but ny enough to call the Eternal City. We rule blows. Come, my lad, make a clean breast of in the public squares, in the streets, at the pal- it to your father." ace doors, in the church porch. We live there, "Well, then, if you must know, I'm in love sleep there, and enjoy that delicious liberty with Marino, the sculptor's daughter." which nobles never find in their grand drawing- "Then marry her." rooms. Where'll you get all this when a French "She wouldn't marry a beggar." police gets the upper hand here?" "But you're rich; richer than her father. I "I only wish that French ways were all the get more by begging than he does by making go here!" images, which he can't make any one buy. I " You don't know what you're talking about; have a few golden crowns put by, which I'll give any one might see that you've never been in the you, if you'll only keep on in the old way." fine French cities; no beggars are allowed there; " Not I; I'd rather work with Giulleta's faa huge placard stuck on a post at the entrance ther. I am going to learn his trade, but in the of the town has this pleasant inscription-Beg- mean time I'll have a dash in for national indeging is forbidden." pendence. Hurrah for united Italy!" "Is it? so much the better. That'll make "Then go, and be blowed to you!" young chaps work, and I've no doubt there are plenty of asylums for the old and infirm.""My dear boy, your head is turned. Yes, there are asylums-prisons!" CHAPTER XII. "What a cram!" A REAL SIEGE. "Yes, prisons; since, when once you get in there-and that's no easy matter-you never WHILE the demonstration set on foot by the get out. It's good-by'then to sun and air, and National Committee was throwing Rome into free access to places you used to haunt; to the the greatest possible excitement, making the A VICTIM OF THE INQUISITION AT ROME. 193 Papal troops collect in the public places, while sprang upon the guard with such force that the detachments of them occupied the entrance to officer in command retreated behind the second the principal streets-the army of occupation, door, thinking to spare himself and his men called out by the commander-in-chief, arrived needless bloodshed, when, suddenly,a'-troop of with a promptitude and good order unknown the French army appeared round the corner of to the other force, and interposed between the the long street in front'of the jail. Jacomo, all Pope's soldiers as they rushed wildly to the res- the while, was ready for the reverse, and made cue and the excited people who were making a sign to the others, who'fled away by several the air ring with their patriotic shouts. It took winding streets unknown to the French; so that some time to effect this movement, but when the great majority escaped beirig made prisoners. accomplished it was thoroughly successful. The Jacomo, covered with blood and powder, conimperial force marched leisurely up; officers, cealed himself for a few days.; As soon, however, non-commissioned officers, and privates request- as he felt it to be safe, he sallied forth in search ed the Romans, with genuine French politeness, of Loubere. to spare them the trouble of using their bayonets. "You can't think what a terrible state I have The disorganized multitude, which, as usual, had been in about you," said the abbe. "I came to greatly exaggerated its strength, gradually re- the conclusion that the gens d'armes had got hold treated. The Pontifical gens d'armes arrested of you, and went to ascertain whether it was so some of the more stubborn. The fact was, or not. I knew a terrible struggle had taken they had overestimated French moderation, and place at the Inquisition, and jumped at once to made no secret of their disgust at finding out the conclusion that you had been killed. I. was their mistake. The patriots, for their part, had almost tempted to curse Providence for having been driven to despair by being unable to make taken away another of Julio's best friends. But a single prisoner; so that there was a tragic and here you are, after all, alive and well. Thank God, comic element combined in the affair. The Na- I find you so. I am full of hope for the future." tional Committee had been informed that the " It's these wretched countrymen of yours that French army had received very stringent orders have spoiled every thing. What a splendid exas to the severity of the measures they might be pedition it was! I shall be proud of it as long called upon to adopt; that these would be merely as I live. How I did head it! A general formal if the hubbub were suppressed, but that couldn't have managed a hundred men better. in the event of a revolution being attempted they But what do you want now? There's nothing would be executed without the slightest mercy. more to be done-" All this was happening at the principal spot "Nothing more, Jacomo! Why, we haven't where the eager masses had collected. A row tried every plan within our reach. You are not is a perfect treat to some; costly, perhaps, but done for yet." that's not much thought of when each man is "I done for!-oh no. I have still blood left called upon to take part in it himself. in my veins and ideas in my head. Have you Thi French troops had extended their line any more gold left?" and taken up a position in formidable array, "Not much." from the Place del Popolo to the Coliseum; thus "We must risk every thing we have. Come occupying the great central thoroughfare, and -it won't do to be down-hearted-we must pluck commanding, as a matter of course, the champ up our spirits. I'll contrive something." de bataille. "Bravo, Jacomo, you're a splendid fellow." Every possible contingency in the more deserted parts had been fully anticipated and provided for. However, the police had orders to double the prison guard. CHAPTER XIII. Jacomo, being a skillful hand at manoeuOSTERIA DELLA SABINA. vring, had formed his plans. As the men, whom he applied for, reached the prescribed place, he IT was the 10th of October, 1861. Three took them aside into an empty room, gave them stout, strong men, with a resolute, military air, copious draughts of wine, at Loubere's expense; in the dress of Roman peasants, were devouring, and, as soon as his little army, of thirty strong, by the pale light of a lamp, an oleaginous and had reached the necessary pitch of enthusiasm, inodorous repast. The place was Osteria della he provided them with arms, and then, placing Sabina, an inn patronized by priests on their himself at their head, led them to the prison of way to Rome, by smugglers and professional the Inquisition. beggars, and suspected characters ready for any The first engagement was terrible. The po- work that might turn up. The mean-looking lice, warned of what was intended, had placed house had only one door opening into an irregthe double guard in ambush. A few fell on ei- ular space on the left bank of the Tiber, near ther side at the first fire; but the enthusiasm of that gem of miniature architecture, the Temple Jacomo's troop carried them on. Moreover, of Vesta. The ground-floor consisted of a large they had been well plied with drink. As soon, dark room reeking with smoke, a few adjoining however, as they discovered their enemy's vast apartments, a kitchen and cellars. Up stairs strength their courage failed. The first door were twelve repulsive-looking bedrooms, sepahad-been broken in. Meanwhile, Jacomo's men rated by a gloomy, filthy corridor. At certain N 194 UNDER THE BAN. times, when the house was thronged with a large evening, and have a good supper ready at that influx of peasants from the mountains, these time." rooms assumed the appearance of human ant- The eyes of the two men shone with unnathills. Ten or twelve men would sleep huddled ural lustre under their dark eyebrows. They up together on straw palliasses and mattresses; went to have a few hours' sleep, enjoining Giustwo wretched beds, the curtains of which were tina to wake them at a given hour. of the remotest date, forming the only furniture About half past twelve they reached a quiet on the spot. The landlady was Signora Gius- street at the extremity of one of the most detina, an old woman with immense hips, a square serted districts of Rome. It was a terrible head, and large, but fine features, shriveled up night. The rain was deluging the Eternal City, by age, hard work, and severe privations. She and a furious east wind was blowing. The men, had only one son, whom she had enlisted in the wrapping their cloaks round them, walked on national army. On the day that the city was some way without speaking, and then paused untaken he was brought home-a corpse. der a long wall of great height. Their leader Her house was perfectly safe. Inside its walls took a small lantern, rendered necessary by the you might say any thing you pleased. Conspir- almost impenetrable darkness, and unrolled a acies against the Papal Government, abductions, rope-ladder, the end of which he flung on the highway robberies, and outrages of every descrip- top of the wall, where it hooked itself firmly. tion were concocted at her long table. Giusti- In a moment he was up, followed by one of the na was a sort of mother to her very questionable others. Once safe on the other side he made guests. Had she once betrayed her trust her for a certain door, feeling his way with his hands inn would have been forsaken. She was on the in preference to using his dark lantern. Reachbest of terms with the police, whom she secretly ing the spot in question, a low massive doorbribed with a small annual offering, which she way, he drew a bundle of keys from his waist dignified as "buona mano," and which the agents and tried the lock. shared among themselves. She was also very But there was some hitch, as the key got liberal to the Capuchins and other beggars. twisted inside and wouldn't turn. A fill minShe had a Madonna in a recess, at one of the ute was consumed in pulling it out before ancorners of her house, which she dressed with lav- other could be tried, which was not done withish splendor, and before which there was always out shaking the door and making some noise; to be seen a lighted lamp. Moreover, she never then more were experimented upon, but to no failed to keep Easter with all due observance. purpose. At length a skeleton key did the bus"Very good," said one of the three alluded iness, the bolt flew back with an unavoidable to above, and who appeared to be a sort of cap- noise. The heavy door groaned on its hinges. tain over the others, "you are not the sort of The prisoner, who had awoke from a deep sleep men to draw back." at the first sound of disturbance, sprang to his " Not we, signor." feet.' Here are five hundred scudi." "Follow me," said Jacomo; "you arC free. " Agreed." You have only to come with me to the wall, " Remember, it's a dangerous undertaking." where you'll find a rope-ladder. There is a " Who cares?" man waiting in the street. But not a syllable, "We shall have to climb a high wall." for God's sake." " We could climb the lower regions, if that's Julio left his cell, grasping his deliverer's all." hand. Soon he reached the place, and scaled "And perhaps be shot at." the wall, followed by the man. As soon as Ja"Used to that." como was satisfied that the two were safely over, "Then it's all settled." he prepared to climb up after them. lIe had "Most certainly. We're men, and that's hardly mounted a few feet, however, when he enough." heard a terrible shout, and felt an iron hand "Then I'll be ready for you in a minute. grasping him round the ankles. It was the jailI shall bring a rope-ladder and revolver with er, who was raising frantic shouts for help. The plenty of barrels for each of us. If they attack sentry hearing the outcry, rang an alarm-bell, us, no matter whence it comes, fire and kill as and the soldiers, who had been asleep in the many as you can. It's a rescue we're after; guard-room, turned out in a moment, with lightand four horses will wait. We're not going, ed torches. In the mean time two men were mind, to the end of the world. We shall have struggling in the darkness. Jacomo had seized to travel all night to cross Subiaco, and set down the jailer by the throat, and all but strangled our charge on the other side of the frontier-at him, when the man drew a poniard from his Rocca-San-Stephano, beyond the reach of the waist, and stretched the brave fellow a corpse sbirri. But then think of the five hundred scu- at his feet. di. You'll get them here to-morrow, at this At that moment the guard came up. By the hour. I'll leave them with Signora Giustina, light of their torches the jailer recognized in the for the purpose. Come on." pale features of the dead Jacomo his neighbor And dashing down the scudi on the table he at Vetrala. arranged them in five heaps, and handed them As for Julio, pushed up by a strong hand, he over to the care of the landlady. fell, more dead than alive, at the bottom of.the "Here, lock them up for us till to-morrow wall, on the other side. THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 195 PART VII. THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. CHAPTER I. however, come to you with any hostile purpose. On the contrary, my mission is peaceable." LOUISE AT PARIS. " Go on, sir." THE escape of Louise from the delightful re- "In the first place, let me ask you whether treat of the Benedictine ladies of Notre Dame you suppose for an instant that the Jesuits are di Forcassi had greatly astonished the Jesuits. ignorant of the rash conduct of the countess..." Who would have thought that any one could "I know nothing about it." have found her out in that sweet seclusion, with "Then I can assure you, on my word of honsmugglers and bandits blossoming in all the or, and in the name of the order, that they knew country round? How in the world did the Abbd nothing of the affair till a week after you had Denis manage to miss his man? How came it left St. Aventin." that he didn't arrest him, with the delegate's "Possibly not. But why come and tell me help, on his appearance at Viterba, it being more that?" than possible that he had obtained possession of "For this reason: at present it is of the the secret of her whereabouts? Nothing more highest importance, if we would avoid any farordinary or simple than such a proceeding; ther scandals-and surely we've had enough of nothing easier in a country where the liberty of them already-that a veil should be thrown over the subject is a thing unknown. the past. The Jesuits are powerful, and it is The Jesuits were beside themselves with rage, not easy to get hold of them. To create a disfully realizing the serious consequences which turbance would lead to no very palpable result. might result to the order from the spreading of In all probability, mademoiselle, you are incathe tidings through Europe that they had per- pable of vengeance; you are a Christian to whom petrated an act of kidnapping; more especially, it would be needless to preach forgiveness of intoo, at a time when the French tribunals were juries; and if you have been injured by the Jesmaking discoveries in reference to similar oc- uits, I call God to witness that it has been quite currences, not greatly to the credit of the regu- involuntarily. So I came to propose an amicalar clergy. ble arrangement: That you should quietly reWhat they naturally dreaded most was a de- tire into any small town you choose-in the scription from the lips of Mademoiselle de la country, if you like (that would be preferable)Claviere herself, in circles peculiarly hostile to and there maintain a strict silence on every their order, of the indignity and injustice to thing that has transpired. The Jesuits are not which she had been subjected. The Liberal so hard to deal with as you may imagine; they journals-ever hankering after such details, so promise you a thousand francs a year, in addicompromising to the fathers, who for years and tion to your aunt's legacy." years had been most careful not to commit them- " Have you any thing more to say?" selves, though the ground were burning under "Yes; I forgot the most important point. their feet-would infallibly get hold of this thril- The Jesuits, who are omnipotent at Rome, enling little romance, scarcely credible in the mid- gage to procure your brother's release on condidie of the nineteenth century, and serve it up as tion that he enters a monastery for the remaina tempting dish to their thousand readers. Here der of his life." was a real danger, and one to be taken into con- "I can not accept any engagement in my sideration. brother's behalf," said Louise; "but as far as I On the day that Louise had parted from Lou- myself am concerned, I want nothing, and will bere on her way to Paris, she was not a little receive nothing from the Jesuits. I would rathastonished to meet a stranger at Lyons, at the er die than be under any obligation to those who hotel where she alighted, who informed her that have robbed me of my property and personal freehe wished to speak to her for a moment on a dom. As for the countess, she was my mother's subject of the most pressing importance. friend, so she may rely upon my secrecy as far Louise's first thoughts flew to her brother; as the mention of her name is concerned." perhaps this might be some messenger from him, "Beware, mademoiselle; you will regret, one bringing even, though she dared not allow her- day, that you did not accept this proffered interself to hope it, news of his escape. She asked vention in your brother's behalf." the man in. "I leave his case in the hands of God. You "I wish to be candid with you, mademoiselle," may go, sir," in a tone indicating her will that he said; "I am sent by the Jesuits. I do not, the interview should be closed. 196 UNDER THE BAN. Denis (for he it was) withdrew. He was re- and general acuteness. She was greatly interturning from Italy, charged by the general of ested in Louise, and gave her powerful letters the order to discover Louise in her retreat at of recommendation to the foreign minister. Lans-le-bourg. Louise by no means took advantage of the Meanwhile Louise herself, who was beginning entreaty she received fiom Madame de Tourato get accustomed to the Jesuit style of doing bel to pay her frequent visits. Now and then things, observed that he watched her incessant- she called, staying too short a time, however, ly. The day that she started for Paris he was to please her new acquaintance, who eagerly at the station and in the train, though he had sought her society, all surrounded though she not impudence enough to seat himself in her was by numberless attractions of fashion and compartment. She took a carriage to the hotel pleasure. Yet these casual interviews sufficed in the Rue Grenelle-St.-Germain: Denis was in to create and foster between them a real frienda cab behind her. The next morning she looked ship, which the poor girl found to be an inestiout for lodgings, and hired an apartment. Half mable comfort in her solitary position. an hour afterward the Jesuits were made ac- Above all, Louise relied upon her influence quainted with her address-Rue de la Barouil- in the matter of Julio's release; and the baronliire, No. 5. ess, who regarded her as her ideal of beauty of The house was quiet, in a quiet street; often mind and body, drew her more and more to her there was not a carriage during the whole twen- side, and neglected no measures likely in any ty-four hours. Yet it was a pleasant, airy, way to conduce to the liberation of the captive wide thoroughfare, with pavements on either Julio. side; a solitary spot in the midst of busy Paris; At court and in society, she detailed the roa charming retirement for mourners, students, mantic particulars of Louise's abduction, and or runaway lovers. her still more romantic escape, with such strikNo. 5 had two sets of lodgings, one opening ing exactness that the brother and sister became on the street, with a porter's lodge at the great the hero and heroine of the moment in newsdoor, the other looking into a little paved court, loving Paris. with not a single spring or summer flower to make it cheerful. Louise's apartment was very simple, in accordance with her taste and slender means. At CHAPTER IL the entrance was a small lobby, then a sitting- FREE COUNTRY. room, and two bedrooms-one for her absent brother, whom she was ever expecting, the oth- IT may be asked how Jacomo managed to er for herself; close to the entrance a little procure the key with which he had opened Junook, dignified by the name, style, and title of lio's cell. Such a step would be all but imposa kitchen. The whole was four stories up. sible any where except in Rome. But there We may add that it was exquisitely neat; and any thing may be done that's attempted in the had Julio been there, it would have resembled right way. the Louvre after the St. Aventin presbytery. The circumstances were as follows: There Louise returned, evening after even- The principal jailer of the Inquisition prisons ing, cheerful or sad, according to her success in had been killed in the disturbance on the 2d of rousing government sympathies in her brother's February. His successor was an old smuggler behalf. The day she heard that an official dis- of Montalto, who, having failed in that highly patch had actually been sent to the French em- honorable calling, resolved to seek a living in bassador at Rome requesting Julo's release, she some servant's place at Rome. Monsignor, the fell on her knees, as soon as she got home, in representative of the Holy Office at Viterba, devout thankfulness; her little room seemed had given him a letter of recommendation; glorified with the brightliness and beauty of thanks to which acknowledgment of certain the fairy halls of the Alhambra. services, which it was equally inexpedient to Among the persons of fashion whom she en- detail or forget, Nicolo was promoted to the deavored to interest in her brother's behalf was distinguished post of jailer of the Holy Office. the Baroness de Tourabel, an intimate friend He was a perfect Hercules —a man with the of the empress, and a great favorite at court, look of a lion-ever so much fiercer than was though she held no office there. On the other necessary to guard such inoffensive creatures as hand, as she belonged, on her mother's side, to Catarinella, the dreamer of Viterba, and our the very highest families in the Faubourg St. friend Julio. Germain, she had numerous connections in that Jacomo, having convinced himself that none most aristocratic quarter. So the social posi- of the Roman police suspected him of a share tion of the baroness was undeniable. in the assault on the prisons, so complete had She had heard Louise's name, having spent been his disguise on that occasion, set himself some of her earliest years at T — with her to inspect the place and its bearings, with a father, who was an artillery general, and so be- view to further measures. It was poor work, came intimate with the La Claviere family. however, so he thought, to walk round and She was a very superior person, combining two round the cage; he must get inside. qualities not often associated-kindheartedness One fine morning he had the audacity to THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 197 knock at the wicket, and ask, in a firm, com- "And there's a French fellow caged up along manding voice, to see the head jailer. He in- with her, isn't there?" troduced himself by saying that he came from "Oh yes, a priest; meek as a lamb." Viterba, and was a relation, though a distant - "What's he done?" one, of Laura Doni. "Done! a fellow doesn't come here for doThe jailer received him at the grating, and ing any thing, Jacomo. The poor wretch is as looked at him sharply. good as gold; only in Rome they have a strange "The Signora Doni," said he, "has nothing way of their own." to say to any one.... But, per Dio Bac- "Not tried yet, is he?" cho," he added, a moment afterward, "I think "Tried! Oh no; they're never in a hurry I recognize you, my boy." about trying prisoners in the Eternal City, least Jacomo thought he was lost; but, without be- of all in this shop." traying any emotion, returned the man's look And he added in a low voice, with another of the most supreme indifference, "Look, Jacomo, that's his cell, the first round and waited for what would follow. the corner; next one is Laura Doni's." "You're Jacomo." And Jacomo examined the outside of the cell "Yes; and who are you? I've certainly carefully, and calculated the height of the wall seen you before." next the street. " My name is Nicolo. " " That yard wall is easy enough to get over," " Give us your fist, then. We are the flower he said. of Vetrala." "To get over, man! Why, you're clean daft; As it happened, they had been boys together, you don't suppose the yard is meant to walk in? and together had served their rude apprentice- A party would have to see the outside of his cell ship to the smuggler's trade; after which they first, and that they never do here." had separated, each following his own course. "Not even to get a mouthful of air?" So they had not seen each other for many "No. It seems they can do withoutit. You years. see, Jacomo, this prison is not like the one the It was an interview between old fiiends. Holy Office had before. I saw that in 1848, Jacomo, quite at his ease, adopted a patron- and the sight was enough to keep one awake at izing tone. night for six months after. Here our arrange"Nicolo," he said, "this is a horrid place ments are merely provisional. As soon as we you've got. You have other people under lock have got rid of these plaguy French, we shall and key, but.you are under lock and key your- return to our old palace, and sweet little underself. It is easier to get to a cardinal than to ground cells. The fact is, we don't want to go get to you. Come back with me, man, to our to any expense in this place, we shall stop here glorious mountain country. You are young so short a time. New doors and locks were all and lithe; you'll do well." we had to get. Just look at them; they are "Good wages here." strong enough." "All right; then leave them to your success- "I should think so, if one might judge by or; I'll get you married. Some worthy worm- the keys." an will bring you a fine, spanking dowry, and And, as he spoke, Jacomo looked narrowly at you'll have a home of your own. Oh, how I a huge bunch hanging up to a nail in Nicolo's wish I could get you away from here!" low, narrow room. "Not easy. This is a certainty, you see; "Thundering keys they are,"he added; "has that's the point. I own, when I first came, I each cell got one to itself?" had no liking for a jailer's work. I didn't care "Oh no. This one belongs to those in the to watch those who could not have hurt a fly. first court there, and opens a dozen of them." Now I am used to it. Besides, what would be And Nicolo showed his friend the keys of the good of my posting off into the country?" each court. "Good? why, you may breathe there." As he did so, Jacomo, with the quick eye of " What would you have, Jacomo? Man is a an old smuggler, had examined the one belongqueer sort of a creature. I am suited to my ing to the first court, and, with wonderful dexposition." terity, taken off its impression on some wax "Well, since you happen to be a friend of which he held in his hand. Then he chatted mine, you might as well tell me about poor on with the jailer about a variety of thingsLaura, who has a great reputation in our mount- among others, the idea, which he vainly urged ains. I saw her leave her home with a sorry upon him, of giving up his post-not that he escort." cared an atom whether he did so or not; and "Just so. I have the honor of waiting upon at last took his departure, promising to come that gracious lady. She delivers dreadful proph- and have another talk with him very soon, beecies to me every now and then. Prophesying fore he went back to Vetrala. is her line, you see; only I need not tell you From the prison he went straight to a lockthat, as you are one of her people. Every time smith's. On his way he hatched up a tale to I take her her food, she spins a yarn; of course, the effect that he was porter to the Duke of San I never listen to her; between ourselves, I think Claro; that he had lost the key of the duke's she's a little cracked." most particular wine-cellar, and didn't want his 198 UNDER THE BAN. master to know it. He showed the man the So Julio was fairly at sea. As the Frenchpattern of the key which he had himself pre- man came forward and grasped his hand, in a pared after the impression in the lock. As he delirium of joy, the darkness prevented him promised to pay largely for the job, the lock- from distinguishing his features, while the exsmith did not consider it expedient to question citement of delight made the voice so indistinct, the veracity of the narrative. It's true, a man from emotion, that he utterly failed to recognize in his business is harder to bribe than any other him. class in Rome. Still, money will do any thing, " You don't know me," he said. "My name and Jacomo had a long purse. The next day is Loubere, whose life you saved at St.Aventin. he had the required key in his possession. I have tried to pay the debt at Rome. But Having paid the price down, he left the shop; where is Jacomo?" but, struck by a sudden idea, went back, and Julio saw through the whole thing. Loubere said to the man, had been his deliverer. "In case this should fail, would you mind lending me a skeleton key?" At first the locksmith refused; but Jacomo's scudi overcame his reluctance, and our ill-fated CHAPTER III. hero set out on the expedition, the sequel of which is already known, equipped with all that ANOTHER MURDER. he required to insure his success. JULIO had been so long cut off from all exJacomo's two friends had got hold of Julio ternal communication, that he waited, with the when he sank down exhausted in the street, and, utmost anxiety, to learn all that had happened darting into a narrow, winding street opposite during his incarceration, and, above all, where the prison yard, out of the way of the soldiers and how Louise was. who were conducting an eager search, they Loubere told him of her fortunate escape to dragged rather than led their exhausted charge the frontier, her arrival at Savoy, his interview to the city gate, where horses were waiting. with her at Lans-le-bourg, his proceedings at Then came a moment of dreadful anxiety. Rome, and the failure of the embassador's apWhere was Jacomo? Should they wait for peal to Cardinal Antonelli. him? He didn't climb the wall by the rope- Then came a history of the demonstration of ladder- had he been stopped at the bottom? the 2d of February, and Jacomo's first attempt had he fallen? These, and a hundred other to rescue him. Alas! there could be little doubt questions, rose to their lips. Julio wanted to that this time he had fallen a victim to his courwait for his deliverer; but the two others, more ageous devotion. experienced in similar emergencies, decided The two French priests were most hospitably otherwise. It would have been madness for entertained by the Reverend Father Villeta, suthem to have delayed; they would have had perior of the Theatine monks at Rocca-Santhe entire Roman police at their heels. Stephano- a priest of Liberal ideas, who had Taking a guide, they followed the road to been brave enough to withstand the dominant Rocca-San-Stephano, the nearest hamlet in the influence of the superior clergy. Julio sufferApennines, below Subiaco, on the Neapolitan ed for a long time from an attack of low fever. frontier. Once there, they were beyond the Accustomed as he had been to unrestricted libreach of the papal sbirri. erty, pure mountain air, and daily exercise, it Loubere had gone there the day before, and was no matter of wonder that his sudden imwas waiting, with feverish impatience, the re- prisonment in a wild beasts' den, where breeze suit of this attempt —the last which the ex- or sunshine never came, and whose total area hausted condition of his finances would have was two yards, had materially undermined his enabled him to arrange with the brave Jacomo. constitution. His appearance was entirely What was Julio's astonishment on being ad- changed, his hair had grown white, and his dressed in French the moment he entered the whole system had suffered from general atroNeapolitan frontier! During the journey, he phy, like a plant long buried in the dark. The could get nothing more out of his companions Holy Office had taken him in the prime of his than a repetition of what had passed at Osteria youth, the brave smuggler released him a dedella Sabina. They imagined at first, in their crepit old man. simplicity, that Jacomo had secured their serv- Loubere had agreed with Louise, before they ices for the rescue of some young girl. Such left Lans-le-bourg on their separate journeys, exploits were quite in their line; but to get a to write to her regularly every week, and he man out of the prison of the Holy Office was kept his word. His letters came every Thursanother affair altogether; and had not Jacomo, day, addressed to the Poste Restante; and Louwell knowing the terror which the bare mention ise's delight was to go to the Rue Jean-Jacquesof the name was sufficient to inspire, kept a dis- Rousseau, and get a letter, announcing, if not erect silence on that head, they would have her brother's escape, at all events some prospect thought twice before they committed themselves of it. to the enterprise. They knew nothing of the Loubere's style was not Ciceronian; it was history connected with their bold deed, and Lou- a mixture of the peasant, the soldier, and the bere's name had never passed their lips. churchman. His clerical education showed it THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 199 self in various little details; the general effect of morals and a general submissiveness to the was military, the thoughts were thoroughly good, high teaching of the Church, resulting in the exhibiting the courageous freedom of the genu- nearest possible approach to the divine idea of inc mountaineer spirit. the Gospel.' Loubere little thought that the pontifical po- "I know where you got that stunning senlice at Rome read all his letters. Louise, how- tence from, my fine fellow; it isn't your own; ever, found it out from slight unavoidable tear- it's out of Veuillot-a neatly-worded paragraph ings of the envelopes and the substitution of a enough, but slightly inaccurate. false seal. Under the papal government, de- "No doubt the clergy have made laws for scribed as so mild and so courteous, the inner- the people; no doubt either that they profess to most secrets of bosom friends are exposed to the elevate them. A man is theirs from the mogaze of coarse, vulgar officials in the pay of ment of his birth; they get hold of him at once Christ's representative on earth. Nothing es- to baptize him, and never leave him till he's capes their eye; and since the presence in Rome safe dead. Not a family but swarms with of the army of occupation, even up to the pres- priests; and, to see the hosts of monks and secent day, it has been necessary for the wives of ular clergy in the streets, one would suppose general officers and others to be as careful as that true religion was nowhere better taught or possible to make their letters vague and unim- better exemplified. portant, lest the contents should reach the car- "Well, my dear friend, in order to convince dinal minister-a feature this in modern civil- you how true it is that'this country is distinization which should not be lost sight of, if one guished by purity of morals, etc.' (you know the would understand the character of that system rest), let me observe that, previous to the diswhich some are for upholding in the city of the memberment of the Roman States, the average Popes. of assassinations a day was four or five, in a Loubere never suspected that copies of his population of four millions. In France, with letters had been addressed to the Archbishop of her thirty-five millions, previous to the recent Chambery, and that a terrible charge against annexation, there wasn't even one a day. And him was being based upon them. It is easy to yet we are visited with the Code Napoleon; we understand that a man of his style of mind and have a university, lay rulers, and other kindred disposition would write in a tolerably outspoken abominations! way, and give utterance to sentiments strong "I may add that, while in France an assassin enough to hang a less obnoxious character than is looked upon with abhorrence, in Italy, prohimself. Here is one of his letters to a brother vided he doesn't stick some fat old monk or priest at Lans-le-bourg, by no means compli- priest, he is merely described as excitable and mentary to the Eternal City: impulsive-that's all. For every hundred crimes of this category, justice notices about twenty. "Do you know, my dear friend, that, not- No witnesses appear. What then? Scarcely withstanding the reverence due from a junior fair to be hard upon a worthy fellow, in the to a senior curate, I laughed till my sides ached main, for such a trifle. He did it, not with the on reading your letter. Oh, my charming lad, idea of robbing, but to avenge himself for some it's plain enough that you've only just left real or fancied injury, and it would appear that school, and that you are still full of those touch-' the divine idea of the Gospel' ignores such ining dreams that disappear so effectually in real significant offenses. life. You have an upright, honest spirit: all I "I may mention that robberies are not neardesire for you is that, when your present impres- ly so frequent here as assassinations. Covetsions break up and go to pieces, your faith may ousness is not a besetting sin of the Roman peonot be washed overboard and sink to the hot-pie. The only thieves here are higjwaymen tom. occasionally, and officials invariably, without a " No, I didn't go exclusively to Rome to kiss single exception. the Pope's toe, I assure you; I had another ob- "You are opening your eyes very wide, and ject, which I will mention by-and-by, and which beginning to think that the population of the I trust I am on the point of realizing. I must Roman States, though so'submissive to the wait a few days, however —I grieve to say, a few high teaching of the Church' (I think that's the idle days. Inaction, for an impulsive gentle- right way to put it), as well as innocent of any man like myself, is a positive punishment; so, acquaintance with the Siecle or Opinion Nationto lighten my sufferings and while away this ale, are not exactly a collection of interesting tiresome interval, I have resolved that the best saints. You may be pretty sure that the rest thing I can do is to write to a friend. of the commandments are treated with equal "You have put enough questions to me to indifference. How comes it? you ask. Simrequire a volume by way of full reply, but I will ply from this fact: Let a man be clear about endeavor to condense my answers as much as the absolute necessity for the world's salvation possible. that the Pope should have temporal as well as "You believe, you say, in the marvelous su- spiritual power, and he may be or do any thing periority of the Roman institutions, and con- else he pleases. Sound on that point, he is gratulate me on being'in a country distin- welcome to attend to Christianity by-and-by. guished' (to quote your own words)' by purity Perhaps you fancy they preach the Gospel here. 200 UNDER THE BAN. To be sure they do; there's nothing they're so practicing medicine. Do you imagine that the anxious about -bless your heart! Why, my august inquisitors who produced that precious dear fellow, they have so many miracles to look enactment, or the holy popes who authorized it, after, so many wonderful madonnas to fete, so ever studied a certain well-known story of a many saints, old and new, to commemorate, good Samaritan? that there is no leisure left to attend to the rest " I hated the Inquisition before I came here; -the rest being Jesus Christ and the Evangel but how infinitely has that hatred deepened, now message of His grace. that I have seen all it has done, all it could do, "As regards church ordinances, in all mat- in the forging of letters, the elaborating of torters of external worship the Romans beat the tures, and the trampling out of the life of human French. Three fourths of the Pope's subjects conscience and rights. To annihilate it, you would be more scandalized at seeing one of must annihilate the temporal power. The popes their neighbors dining off the wing of a fowl on are more or less muzzled. Not one of them a fast day than killing an enemy. In the lat- dare destroy it. Its cells are still occupied and ter case, they would come to his aid to protect its laws active, while the edict of 1856 accorded him from the sbirri; in the former, they would it the power of life and death. be the first to denounce him to the Holy Office, "When, in 1848, I saw a few fools trying to remembering that the episcopate of the Roman revive the horrors of 1793 by exhibiting waistStates, assembled in council at Loreto in 1856, coats a la Robespierre and Marat, I felt a creeppublished an edict detailing the crimes, cogni- ing sensation. Such, too, I experience when I zance of which is intrusted to the Inquisition- meet a white-robed Dominican; he brings with among which are neglect of saints' days, want him memories equally bloody. After all, our of respect for the Church, and remissness in the Convention leaders were but weak imitators of observance of fasts. For these deadly offenses the Inquisition; and the law with reference to the punishments awarded are excommunica- suspected persons was mild in the extreme when tion, imprisonment, banishment, and death; regarded side by side with the savage edicts of and to him who fails to disclose them, when he the Holy Office. It did not enjoin wives, mothknows of their being committed, the same pen- ers, and children to denounce those dearest to alties. them, under pain of death, as they did. The "Such were the pleasing arrangements of horrible profanation of the tombs of St. Denis 1856-a graceful reply to the echoes of reform is but a plagiarism, the original act having been in every other part of Europe. Such is a spec- perpetrated by the inquisitor-monks when they imen of those sublime enactments before which flung out the remains of heretics on the common a well-known prelate bows with admiring love. highway. No reverence did they show for the "There's no mistake but the Romans have bones of princes, assuming that those princes plenty of law. There are canons, briefs, and had failed in a single point of orthodoxy; and pontifical bulls. All these various little edicts the Convention merely followed in their steps, are, at times, inconsistent. The Pope speaks and heaped like insult on crowned heads, whose in such and such terms, and goes down to the only offense was royal rank, the climax ofhetegrave. His successor flatly contradicts him. rodoxy in the judgment of the Revolutionist. But, as they are all infallible, it stands to rea- The Convention disgraced our glorious Revoluson that they must all be right, so all their proc- tion; the Inquisition disgraces Catholicismlamations are legally binding. For example, more hideous even, more encrimsoned with gore, in the disgraceful affair of the boy Mortara, more fashioned after the genius of hell. The bulls were quoted for and against the abduction. political terror of the one only lasted two years; Pius VI. not only allowed the baptism of Jew- that of the other through five long lingering ish infants without their parents' consent, but ages! also the forcible removal of them from the par- "As for the ceremonies you. allude to, they ents' roof, on the pretext that they had been are certainly imposing, but really there is in them baptized, as in the Mortara case. Now the de- a great element of the ridiculous. They are far cisions of the Holy Office are diametrically op- more theatrical than religious. The Pope, car'posite, and yet they profess to be infallible, be- ried by bearers, and embosomed in golden draing invested with papal authority. And as, at peries, reminds me forcibly of the arrangements that time, the uppermost idea was to return to of an Indian pagoda. You gaze at him with the spirit and teaching of the Middle Ages, the curiosity; but the last idea in your mind is that Inquisition influence had the ascendency. No he has the slightest connection with Christianity decree is ever repealed at Rome. Bulls, edicts -a queer successor, he, of the fisherman of Galof any kind, buried possibly for many an age, ilee! The only time when he ever looks what may, at any time, rise from their graves, accord- he pretends to be is when from the balcony of ing to the measure of idiotcy in the governing St. Peter's he blesses the Christian world. Then mind. And, speaking of Jews, what do you he does, indeed, appear as the spiritual monarch think, my friend, of that pleasant injunction re- of Catholicism; and before a royalty so exalted, quiring a physician, when called in by one of all others perish miserably. the Hebrew race, first to try and convert him, "You remark that the greater number of vaand, failing that, to leave him to his fate? cant places in Rome are given to laymen; true; Mark you, Jews are prohibited from studying or but no quibbling-places, not authority. There THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 201 were seven or eight thousand officials, of vari- path, and reappear, in the words of Lacordaire, ous grades, in the Roman States before the re-'clothed with the old glory that invested her becent upset; an army officered by cardinals and fore the time of Constantine.' Such happy despriests exclusively. It is so now. It's true that tiny I wish her, and you a thousand blessings. all the monsignori are not in orders; that they " LOUBiRE." may lay aside their official garb, and marry at Happily Loubere was not so imprudent as to any moment; but then they must resign their be eplicit in his letters to Louise; certain post. And it is a noteworthy fact, that such is phrases, agreed upon between them, sufficed for the horror of lay authority entertained here, that all practical purposes. On all other points, they force a layman to dress as a cleric before however, he was by no means careful in his admitting him to office. phrases. His rash sentences often made her "It was imagined at the accession of Pius smile, while they were working out for fim a IX. that a new order of things was about to'set heavy penalty in-a mere imagination, nothing more. Had la lee a a ll His last letter was as follows: he had sufficient firmness-which he had nothe was without the necessary powers. No sin- "I leave Rome in a couple of hours; I shall gle man could clean the Augean stables. Then, be in a free country to-night, ready to join the too, an enlightened pope may be followed by general cry,'Roma veduta, fede perdita!' And one from a monlk's cell, whose first act would it is more especially at Rome that the desire for be to undo whatever might have been attempt- freedom burns in the bosoms of those who have ed by his predecessor in the way of reform. not the distinguished honor of being cardinals, " The revolution which will so soon overturn monsignori, robbers, or beggars. Three cheers the temporal power will annihilate at the same for liberty, and the glorious prospect it will bring time this effete system, under the incubus of with it!" which the Church has so long writhed convul) ~~.., mi=~ a. The next day Louise received a telegraphic sively. The Pope-king belongs to the Italians; h r i t the Pope, simply, to the Catholic world. The dispatch through Ancona running thus: struggles in connection with the kingly element "Rocca-San-Sfephano. have resulted in so deplorable a state of things "Thanks to Loubere and Jacomo, I am free. that none but an Italian can ascend the chair I am very anxious as to the latter. Loubere of St. Peter; embarrassing, as I think (I say it goes back to Lans-le-bourg. After a few days' with reverence), for the Holy Spirit of God, in- rest I shall start for Paris." voked, as we all know, to guide the papal elec- fact, oubere, after having spent two detions.'Holy Spirit,' is the invocation,'we tions.'Holy Spirit,' is the invocation,'we lightful days with his friend, set out for Turin want a Pope; enlighten us as to our choice. through the Marches. His leave of absence Veni, Creator Spiritus-only mind, he must be from the Archbishop of Chambery was already an Italian.' Far better ones might be found in up, so he felt it desirable to return as soon as he other parts; and surely the spiritual sovereign possibly could. of 200,000,000 should be elected sometimes Julio took a full month to recover his shatelsewhere than in one out-of-the-way corner; tered health. Father Villete was a most attenonly, you see, in that corner is a small tempo- tive doctor and devoted friend. Constant amuserality which must be looked after; a little po mets, little walks, a generous and well-regulalitical'fahrm; requiring a special kind of farmer ted diet, served by degrees to repair the deadly -neither French, nor English, nor yet Spanish, work that his short sojourn in the Inquisition but Italian. cell had accomplished. " So,'Holy Spirit, descend, we pray Thee, H concluded that Loubere was at this time and name an Italian!' Awkward dilemma that peaceably installed in his curacy, and expected for Him who is invoked, to which the Revolution to hear from him of his safe arrival, when an inwill put an end. closure came from Paris containing two letters, "After all, this solemn invocation is but a one from his sister, the other from his friend. pleasant fiction. Every thing is a fiction at Louise impatiently entreated her brother to Rome. That's the place for cunningly-devised come. She declared she could not rest till she fables, and strange old tales well fitted to sing had him under her eye. Catholic humanity to sleep in the snugly-lined Loubere's communication was very serious: cradle of indolence and credulity. There you may have poetic legends composed in the sweet "MY DEAR FRIEND,-You little expected to seclusion of the cloister, apocryphal relics, tradi- get a letter from me dated Paris. You thought tions rivaling the wonders disclosed in the pages I was in my mountain home, looking after my of Lempriire-not, mind you, told to make men poor, humble peasants. Nothing of the sort. laugh or cry round wide old hearths at Christ- Let me tell you what has happened. mas time, but told to men who are commanded "On reaching Lans-le-bourg I found my victo believe them, but who, at last, are erecting ar pulling a very long face at me. themselves into an attitude of kingly scorn as "'You're wanted at the palace,' he said; they repel the insolent lies, and order truth.'you must go at once to Chambery. You're no Possibly the Church, emancipated from secular longer curate here; your successor has been aptrammels, may enter yet on a new, a spiritual pointed.' 202 UNDER THE BAN. "I told him I wanted to go and celebrate a "' Oh, I'm no more libelous than thousands mass. of others, who'll say the same at any moment. "His answer was simply,'You can't.' Robbers and spies-robbers and spies; that's the "'How, can't?' I said.'Am I suspended sort that the papal government is made up of,' or interdicted?' " You see, my dear Julio, I saw I was a gone "'Don't know,' he replied;'but the arch- character, so I determined to have my say. I bishop has written to me to say that you no thought it would be a bit of fun to put my prellonger belong to the diocese. As to the reason ate in a passion. There's always something why, etc., you must settle that with his high- amusing in a holy Roman's episcopal rage, and ness.' I wanted a laugh. "It was no good disputing with this worthy "My most reverend Savoyard was wild. man, so I set off for Chambery. There, there "'Here are copies, sir, of every letter you was a row, I believe you, of no mean kind. You have written to a female called La Claviere, know my character, and how desperate I can be full of most damnable proofs against you.' when I am driven to it. The archbishop re- "'Monseigneur,'I replied very quietly,'there ceived me in his small drawing-room. I was is not a single sentence in any one of them the informed that my license was withdrawn, and least inconsistent with the respect due to that that I might have, if I chose, an' exeat pro qua- most admirable young lady.' cunque dicecesi.' "'Be it so,' said the archbishop;'but, quite "'You're in a tremendous hurry with your apart from that, the correspondence is full of exeat, monseigneur,' I said;'may I ask what proofs of your temper and views sufficient to I've done?' humble you before me, under a grateful sense "'I'm not required to give you a reason for of my kindness in granting you an exeat, and my conduct, sir. I have full power to employ not insolently fly into a passion with an archor dismiss you.' bishop.' "'Not without some cause, monseigneur.' "In another moment I should have made a "' Cause, sir! plenty of that. Not to men- dash at the fellow, and punished him at my leistion your conduct at T —, which won't bear ure. inspection, your goings on at Rome are quite "'Monseigneur,' I said,'you know better sufficient.' even than I do that your exeat, as you call it, is "'My goings on at Rome, monseigneur! I so much waste paper. No bishop will receive have done nothing to be ashamed of. I have me without a letter of recommendation. Do only served a good cause, that's all.' you mean to give me one?' "' The government of his Holiness differs "' I mean to do my duty by you.' from you. You have been most severely de- "'Shilly-shallying again-always shilly-shalnounced.' lying. I ask you, monseigneur, whether, when "' Will your highness have the goodness to I present myself to another bishop, you authorshow me the letter?' ize me to tell him that you will recommend "' Not by any means, sir. What impudence, me? That's a plain question, isn't it? I want for an inferior to ask his superior to show him an answer. You must see that it would be rihis correspondence with Rome!' diculous for me to go and knock at the doors of " My monkey was up by this time. some ten or a dozen bishops, to receive invaria"'Impudence, monseigneur! What do you bly the same greeting, "Where is your recommean? You have an accusation against me, mendation from your late diocesan?"' and refuse to show it me! You positively de- "'You wish me to be plain with you, sir, do dine to specify the complaints! You condemn you? Well, then, I won't recommend you. me unheard! I'll never believe that! You're You have been too insolent to Rome-insolence joking! It's impossible!' which affects us in common with the rest of the "'It's quite possible, sir. However, you episcopal bench. Understand that the police shall hear some of the complaints. You have are perfectly aware of your occupation the last been living a life totally unsuited to your priest- few days of your residence in the Papal States.' ly character. You have mixed with low com- "'Then your sentence is one of final banpany. You have reviled the Pope, the cardi- ishment from the priesthood, monseigneur?' nals, and the Jesuits; also, you have conspired "' It's whatever you like, sir.' at Rome against the temporal power. You have "And, abruptly nodding, he intimated to me allied yourself with the enemies of the Church. that it was time to go. You have applauded their demonstrations, espe- "As for me, I didn't return it. A secretary cially that of the 2d of February. We know all gave me an exeat, which I have preserved as a about you. You even tried to bribe a domestic curious and interesting document. I left the prelate in the papal court, but he scorned your palace in a towering rage. Convinced in my overtures.' own mind that no French bishop would venture "'That's a lie! He was the easiest fellow to receive one who had offended the Jesuits and to bribe you ever met with. He never repelled made light of the temporal power, I sold my my overtures; only he sacked my money.' clerical dress, and paid my place to Paris with "' You are libelous, sir; you might be prose- the profits. cuted for slander.' " So here I am, thrust out of the priesthood; THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 203 not daring to confess my orders, lest I should standing his weakness, determined to quit his meet with a general repulse. And all this in hospitable refuge at Rocca-San-Stephano. Let consequence of a malicious report-the exagger- us follow him to the free soil of France, where ation of the Roman police-and the outrageous the officers of the Inquisition have no power to lies of the sneaking coward that stole my mon- injure him; where wise laws protect a priest, ey. I have not infringed my priestly obligation even if they can't always rescue him from posiin a single particular. My life has been stain- tions of peril. Here he is at length restored to less. Yet, without any inquiry as to my private his sister, whom he had rescued from the cloisacts, in the midst of the most horrible tempta- ter. The little room in the Rue Barouilliere is tions, without giving me a chance of defending their quiet home, where they may rest, ennobled myself at a trial, they have passed a summary by affliction, and ripening for glorious service to sentence, and driven me from my sacred office. the Church of Christ. "At first it seemed to me to be a case of look- As Loubere concluded, Julio's reflections in ing forward to breaking stones; or, if I were his retreat had not been without result. He at not strong enough for that, of begging, with the once surrounded himself with a circle of liberal eventual prospect of dying in a ditch. minds and theological writers, whom the extrav"But, thank God! my friend, it's not come agancies of ultramontanism had greatly exasto such a pitch. I am a man, and I can work. perated. Some of them had been associated So here I am, installed in a printing-office in with Lacordaire's Nouvelle Ere, and their invathe Boulevard Pigale.'In the sweat of my riable motto was the union of Liberty and Caface I eat bread,' without giving the enemies of tholicism. The Catholic Liberal became their the Church the gratification of being in at my organ, in which they advocated a cause abandeath, or watching me parading my disgrace be- doned by the superior clergy, and espoused only fore their vindictive eyes. by loyal-hearted men, who have learned never "I make no reference to your sister, as she to despair. is going to write herself. She made me a gen- The first numbers of the new paper were welerous offer of assistance worthy of you both, but comed with acclamation by the European press. which I felt compelled to decline. You are poor Julio's name attached; the remembrance of his yourselves now-thanks to my friends and yours; cruel imprisonment in the prison of the Holy nor could I possibly make you pay for my slight Office; his wonderful escape, to the surprise of return of the past service you rendered me. all who had heard of it; his undoubted talent, " I am looking out for your arrival almost as and the courage with which he had avowed senimpatiently as your sister. The hour is come timents repudiated at Rome with the sternest when, on the strength of those persecutions abhorrence-all this combined to secure a welwhich have elevated you to the dignity of a mar- come for his paper. tyr-above all, on the strength of your long Julio was an able, eloquent, and pointed writmeditation-sole relief in the gloom of your cell er, as the Catholic Atlas frequently discovered to -you must raise your flag and march boldly to its cost. His scheme was very simple: Total the front. separation between Church and State, in the " Your glorious aspirations, which you com- mutual interests of both; liberty of conscience municated to me at Rocca-San-St6phano, must -unmistakably proclaimed in the Gospel by the be realized at once. The old state of things is words and deeds of the great Head of the Church, dying out on every side. The religious world as illustrated in his rebuke of those who would is no better than a carcase, galvanized by the fain have brought down fire from heaven on an Jesuits and their obedient satellites, the monks, unbelieving city; the papacy free from the cares of every character, rank, and guise. There is of royalty; the episcopacy recognizing its oblino life left in it, I am certain. I know you, in gations; the inferior clergy emancipated fron some measure, think otherwise; for my part, I the perpetual obligation of their priestly vows. can not agree with you. Truth is inseparable Such were the outlines of the reformation the from sympathy, fatherly love, and tender devo- Catholic Liberal proposed in its first impression. tion. In going where these are to be found, I The whole idea was Gallicanism disenthralled shall be sure to encounter it. from the bondage of civil power, and a thorough " Adieu, dear friend. We long for the hap- return to the teaching of the first ages of the py day when the emancipated victim of the In- Church. A pleasant morsel this for the digesquisition will put in his appearance in Paris- tion of a pontifical and priestly oligarchy. It Paris, the great and glorious-the home of free- is easy to imagine the mingled sensations which dom of thought, liberty, and delight. so original a publication would occasion in the "So come as soon as you can. "religious world." " LOUBERE." CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CATHOLICISM AND LIBERTY. THE GIPSY PRIESTHOOD. THE day after he received the letters con- AMONG the dignitaries attached to the Archtained in the previous chapter, Julio, notwith- bishop of Paris is an official entitled M. le Pro 204 UNDER THE BAN. moteur. Should you be a priest, and feel a nat- discern at once between good and evil, false ant ural anxiety to ascertainthe origin of this gen- true, alike in characters or beards, and to detleman's designation, you will find that he is the cide, at a moment's notice, whether his visitor individual appointed for the agreeable work of be a very reverend father or a very irreverent promoting or elevating you. Such, at least, is outlaw. It is assumed that he has wit enough the theory of the name. In reality, however, to take liberties at once with the long, flowing this functionary is charged with the task of robe of the most illustrious Oriental prelate, maintaining a general watch over the clerical the hood of the monk, the cloak of the abb6, exworld, of issaing any needful rebukes, and, in posing the true identity beneath the awe-inspirsome cases, of abasing instead of exalting. ing disguise. It ought to be a joke to him to Sometimes, even, the promoter may be seen as'analyze, in the twinkling of an eye, the most the assessor of an archbishop, discharging du- astute "story," let the adventurer who brings ties not very.unlike thel president of an assize it be who he may, or his country among the recourt. With both alike, the accused is held motest on the face of the earth. As for seals guilty a priori; the one being ready with capi- — exhibiting every conceivable variety of cross, tal punishment, the other with "the retreat au and every thing that is impressive and august celebret," suspension or interdict. Fortunately in the way of mottoes-these should be trifles for the accused, if the promoter is extra severe, in the path of his scrutiny, if he is to be civil to the prelate' may possibly be lenient, and so a honest men, and to tell the rogues at once that compromise is effected. But, under any cir- "he will take time to consider their request." cumstances, the poor priest is indeed to be So that it will be pretty evident that the pitied who falls into the clutches of this anom- hands of the excellent promoter are tolerably alous Jack-in-office. full. Generally speaking, the promoter's position In the year 1861-the year of which we are is no light one. Were he to confess the truth, writing-the office above described was filled by he-would be compelled to admit that his burden the Abbd de Baraminos, whom the juniors of is burdensome in the extreme. Apart from the the junior clergy amused themselves by nickreverend personages who are everlastingly cor- naming "M. Gare-a-Minos." He was a tall, ing to him to get their celebret signed, he is in- shriveled-up sort of a man, middle-aged, with trusted with the care of all the errant priests sharp, thin features, and a few straggling white from every quarter of the world. hairs; good-natured enough, as a rule, if you Every melodramatic hero who has managed knew how to manage him, on days when he had to escape public justice, through lack of vigi- escaped a sparring match with his little old lance and activity on the part of the police, or housekeeper, or had come to a friendly underwhom the police themselves have assisted in standing as to fondling with his cat Nina. escaping, from a desire to preserve Catholic do- The Jesuits having learned,'through their pominions from the fame of exploits more roman- lice spies, that Julio, thanks to Jacomo, had esticthan equitable, leaves his card at the promo- caped to the frontier, and was sure to return to ter's office. Every sham Oriental bishop, who, France for the purpose of rejoining his sister at displaying a white beard down to his waist, Paris, prepared to take their measures accordmaintaining a discreet silence, lest he should ingly. make a slip and speak French, and sporting a Assembled in council, they resolved to make secretary well up in Armenian, Arabic, and every effort to prevent him from being accepted Syriac, comes to France, on a charitable er- jby the ecclesiastical authorities, otherwise, by rand, in behalf of some legendary Christians virtue of his own undoubted talents, as well as at Lebanon, Aleppo, or Antioch, whose abodes from the interest which the tale of his advenhave been burnt by the Druses, makes a simi- tures would arouse among the clergy, he stood lar call. Ditto the, numerous " monks," who, a fair chance of becoming the hero of the day. with the same invariable chin decoration, fall, Could they but contrive to get the archbishop bathed in tears, at the feet of credulous Paris- to shut the doors of the Paris churches in his ians, imploring their aid in the construction of face, his connection withithe various priests of a Carmelite monastery or pilgrim hospice among the city would be considerably limited, if not althe rocks of Petra, or, more eligible and airy together prevented. Men under an interdict situation, on the heights of Tabor. Ditto every are not much sought after. Thus the honor of "priest," with a miscellaneous assortment of the clergy would be saved, and then what matletters testimonial and espiscopal recommenda- I ter how great a stir the brother and sister might tions, albeit never penned by episcopal hands. manage to make in the unbelieving world. Ditto the noble army of bandits, after having Above all, it was of the utmost importance scoured a score of dioceses, humbugged a score that, with his unquestionable oratorical powers, of bishops, and plundered a score of parishes. he should be kept away from pulpits. He was These all, an illustrious host -dramatic hero, just the man, after the maturing experience he mitred Eastern, snow-clad abbot, solemn-brow- had had, to take all Paris by storm, if he once ed cleric, and gay freebooter-besiege in turn, got the ear of the congregations, and recall to from the 1st of January to the 31st of Decem- their memories those extempore effusions of Lao ber, the private room of this miserably-over- cordaire, which used once to delight them-a worked official. The promoter is expected to preacher who had by no means been replaced THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 205 by Father Felix, with all his ambitious style and'nicated; the various conspiracies, and the deielaborate artistic sentences, let the Jesuit press onstration of the 2d of February. He stated assert the contrary as much as they pleased. I that the society had received most elaborate as It was not exactly practicable to go straight well as most interesting information upon all to the cardinal archbishop, and prefer a request these points. It would appear that a French that the obnoxious priest might be shown the priest, who had since been interdicted by the door. Unscrupulous and undaunted as the Jes- Cardinal Archbishop of Chambery, had taken a uits are, there are limits which they dare not leading part in that outbreak. Finally, he mencross, and not a bishop in France would willing- tioned that another French priest, who had been ly suffer them to administer his diocese. More- condemned to imprisonment by the Congregaover, the kind and gentle dignitary enthroned tion of the Holy Office for having violated the at Paris could at once make manifest his resolve cloister of a nunnery, had effected his: escape. to act with strict impartiality. Any impres- That, after having been banished from the diosions he might receive prejudicial to Julio would cese of T- for his publications and libelous naturally be very transient. The suggestion attacks on the Jesuits, he had been received that the young priest should be dealt with se- with open arms by the disaffected clergy of Naverely, being necessarily couched in very mod- ples, and had come from there to Paris. That erate terms-otherwise their failure would be he was at that moment conspiring in Paris certain-would for that very reason be soon for- against the temporal power of the Pope, and gotten; while it was also a matter of uncertain- was about to issue a journal advocating the proty whether Julio would go direct to the arch- scribed doctrines of liberty of the press, liberty bishop or not. of conscience, and separation of Church and The more prudent course appeared to be to State. "This priest," added the Jesuit, wvith put M. Baraminos on his guard. So, according- consummate artfulness, "will, of course, be proly, the most cunning and plausible of their body hibited by the archbishop from mixingswith the was appointed to deal with him. His name was Paris clergy; it would be too great a scandal, Father Fichet. He was in the habit of meeting in the judgment of all right-thinking people, to the promoter occasionally in the Faubourg St. see such a man at the altar or in the pulpit." Germain, in the saloons of the Duchess of Chau- "I have not met him yet at the palace," tenay, a lady to whom he stood in the relation said the promoter, "but I am much obliged to of spiritual director, and in whose case he took you for your important information about him." the warmest possible interest. Her daughter, That was enough for the Jesuit; he finished the Countess de Vezere, was on the list of the up with a few words-bonbons-and departed. Abbe Baraminos. The blow was struck. The stately mansion of the duchess was at Julio had had too much experience to entersome little distance from the residence of the tain the slightest doubt as to the probable napromoter. It was a great rendezvous for the ture of his reception at Paris. He knew that upper classes of religious society, who were fond his powerful persecutors were as supreme there of assembling there. as every where else, even over the episcopal "I shall have the pleasure of seeing you in throne itself. Loubere's fate at Chambery led the course of the.week," said Father Fichet to him to anticipate his own. He felt certain that the Abbe Baraminos. he was already scored down in the worst ink at "You will oblige the good father, I am sure," the pJalace. However, he committed his cause said the countess, in an under tone: "he has a to Him who sways the highest as well as the request to make." lowliest hearts, and as, throughout his whole Thus the ground was skillfully and tenderly life he had never uttered word or sentiment prepared; yet, at the same time, there is no such against ecclesiastical authority, nor written a thing as a moderate Jesuit. A man is either single line in disparagement of that judicious one heartily, or he is not one at all; and no rule whirh is the real strength of the Church man was more thoroughly the servant of his and her clergy in the centre of so many counorder than Father Fichet. teracting weaknesses, he resolved that it was due So, having assumed his gentlest aspect, and to himself, his personal dignity, and the honor prepared himselfwith his most insinuating modes of the priesthood that he should carry out his of address, he repaired to the promoter's. After mission to the end. So he accepted, without a an elaborate preamble, conceived in true diplo- murmur, the martyr's recompense that awaited matic style to disguise the real purport of his him for his unsparing exposure of abuses and visit, and after having requested the promoter's their authors, who, happily, however mighty in favorable energies in connection with certain the Church, did not constitute her entire corpious projects which he detailed-a request poration, but left behind them some to sympawhich was at once and most readily granted, thize with him, and render justice not only to as the abbe imagined that it was to that that the sincerity and good faith, but also to the the countess had already alluded-the reverend truth of his statements. father turned the conversation to the startling As a precautionary measure, he wrote, in the events that were taking place in Italy-the rep- first instance, to ask his friend, the Bishop of rebate Revolutionists, with Victor Emmanuel at A-, to give him a letter of introduction to their head, all of whom the Pope had excommu- the archbishop. 206 UNDER THE BAN. The archbishop had had some intimation of miserable fallacy of which a baby might expose, the Forcassi affair and the subsequent imprison- a systematic line of malicious and slanderous ment, and had taken a most judicious view of attack. They kill with the barb of the tongue the case, so far as he was acquainted with it. -the poison of misrepresentation; and that, too, He was by no means prepared to espouse the without remorse or regret, without the slightest quarrels of the Jesuits and the Holy Office, or suspicion that they have infringed in a single to recognize the authority of Roman associa- respect the law of man and God. tions; and, though he abstained from any open How is this to be explained? avowal of his opinion upon this point, he never- Had Julio, instead of being what he was, been theless practically made frequent protests against an assassin-a Dumolard; had he met one of the domineering tendencies of the papal court. these very Jesuits in the dark of the evening in Nor was he ignorant either of the fact that the some out-of-the-way place, and stabbed him to higher officials in the government, and the more the heart, the victim would have died forgiving educated and intelligent section of society, were him, and prayed for his murderer's soul with his much interested in Julio's history. latest breath. All that had transpired at T- previous to Meanwhile, reverting to the darkness of methe abbd's leaving the diocese he made light of, diaeval days, should society intrust the function and received our hero with marked kindness, of the magistrate to the priest, and grant full extending to him full sanction to officiate in powers for the execution of those condemned as Paris; adding, with a very gracious air, heretics by the infallible Inquisition, this very "The second chaplain of the Lycee of St. man would erect the stake and light the fagots Louis is about to leave. I nominate you to the with delirious ecstasy. vacant post." You shudder with horror? So, for once, the Jesuits missed the mark. And yet the explanation is very simple. It As for the promoter, a quarter of an hour's is a mere error of vision. Say a huntsman fires conversation with the wise and gentle prelate at a dark mass in the herbage, which he misbrought him over to complete agreement with takes for a wolf, and finds he has killed a brothhis eminence in his opinions and consequent er or a friend-would you call that homicide? action. The monk pardons his enemy, because that ____~ _ ~ enemy's attack has been directed upon himself. It is a private question, and he deals with it acCHAPTER VI. cording to the Gospel law of love, as applied to his individual relations to his brethren. Be it How SLANDER WAS ATTEnMIPTED. added, in praise of his piety, that his pardon is YET the Jesuits were not to be beaten. They genuine. But the man who is condemned by spared no pains to hinder Julio from getting a the Inquisition is regarded as the enemy of God, name, shining in the pulpit, and being the favor- and the monk intrusts himself with the high ite of Parisian society. In achieving this object, function of avenging the divine honor. He rethey felt that they were crushing an enemy of gards himself as being in the world for that purtheir order, and, consequently, promoting the pose only. And the more skeptical society beglory of God. To any one who has not studied comes, the more conscious the monk is compelled the monkish system, there are certain consider- to be of the lessening influence of his rites and ations which appear monstrous, but which are observances on the society in the centre of which capable, nevertheless, of most easy explanation. he practices them, the more furiously does he To do evil deliberately, to pursue with implaca- alight on the head of any offender whom he may ble animosity, to calumniate in every possible regard as a ringleader in the general disaffecway a known foe-all this seems utterly opposed tion. to the teaching of the Gospel, which urges the But why, it will be added, are such savage forgiveness of injuries and love of enemies. bigots allowed free scope in the world? Such principles are repudiated by every upright That's a mere matter of accident. There are heart. While many would allow themselves in those always ready to support them. And as the indulgence of contempt as dignified and be- for France, we have seen French women, these coming, they would shrink from vengeance as ten years past, doting on Dominicans, Capubeing too injurious, and start back in abhorrence chins, and Carmelites, and, above all, on the befrom the bare thought of calumny as an odious loved Jesuits! God grant that you and I, readthing-too odious to be tolerated. Such being er, for your sake and mine, may have quitted the case, the question naturally arises, in what this enlightened world ere the day come that possible way could men, devoted avowedly to shall witness the return of Inquisitional power, self-mortification, and strivings after personal and the re-erection of the Inquisitional stake in sanctity, justify themselves in a deadly persecu- the Place de Grive. tion of a gentle and blameless man, as though For this query is often proposed: Should the he had been a monster of iniquity, and an ene- men at present supreme in the Church have the my of God and man? For it is not only indi- power hereafter of wielding the secular arm, viduals who thus persuade themselves into so would they put any to death who might be found extraordinary a course, but corporations acting resisting their will? in concert, and adopting, through arguments the To this question there is but one answer-in THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 207 the affirmative. It is by no means uncommon to involve him in perplexities, to compromise to see monks, such as Jesuits, Dominicans, or him hopelessly, and generally to render his name Capuchins, enter the mansions of the great and a by-word in the narrow religious clique likely wealthy; demand to be forthwith conducted to to be affected by such proceedings. Sacristhe library, where the nobles of the eighteenth tans, beadles, choristers, bell-ringers, holy-ware century have treasured up the mightiest intel- peddlers, little book-stall keepers, statuaries, and lects of their day; take down, one by one, the other artists engaged in the manufacture of roworks of Moliere, Montesquieu, Buffon, Rous- saries and miraculous medals, composed this ilseau, and Voltaire, and burn them, with merci- lustrious community. Denis was among them, less deliberation, in the presence of the abashed with a train-band, asserting that Julio had aposand speechless faithful. tatized, and even become a skeptic; that he had And I ask such of you as are among the most gone to Italy on a visit to the excommunicated distinguished in the school of modern thought Passaglia, and that the two heretics were putand intellect-do you believe, for a moment, ting their heads together to construct a new rethat if these men were permitted to avail them- ligion, specially adapted to the views of Demoselves of the civil power to the fullest extent, crats and Red Republicans; while in the very they would hesitate to carry out, to the very ut- hottest circles of wild fanaticism, the rumor grew termost, their desperate laws for the extirpation to the extent that Julio and Passaglia had all of all who dare to think for themselves? but completed their arrangements for putting the You, M. Cousin-academician though you are latter in the chair of St. Peter, and Garibaldi on -would smart for your independent teaching. the throne of France. M. Jules Simon, it would go hard with you aft- Nor did they let Louise alone. They made er those fine pages that you have written. M. the most of her escape from the convent, and Lamartine, don't think you would escape after her friendship for Loubere, declaring that she having ventured on the somewhat original and was a professed nun, who had flung off the veil. pathetic theology which confides to my keeping The society selected for these latter rumors conmy dog Rover in another world. As for George sisted mainly of female artisans, chambermaids, Sand, with his vigorous and burning eloquence, fruit-sellers, and portresses. a single one of his nervous periods is enough to Such calumnies, when once suffered to alight bring down upon him all the fagots that could be in the public mind, take deep root, and become accumulated from all the German forests; while almost ineradicable, distilling their venom at all Victor Hugo would find that he had acted inju- times and in all directions. To destroy the repdiciously in not submitting Les Miserables to or- utation of a man in distinguished position, the thodox critical inspection before its publication. most direct course is to prejudice the lowest orAlas! we shudder to write it-these bigots ders against him in the first instance. The tide would glory in a united holocaust of the master surges and seethes upward, covering range after intellects we have named, and imagine that in range in the social scale with its polluted wathe flames of the huge human sacrifice would ters, till it reaches the highest elevation, and ascend the incense of a grateful offering to the ingulfs the whole. throne of God, while his glory on earth would be In upper circles, however, the slander requires advanced by the wholesale immolation. to be of a more polished character. To this end Let it be added, however, that, in opposition three reiterated complaints were put in circulato this fanatical section in the Church, there ex- tion, and certain members of the society of St. ists a body of secular clergy which repudiates Vincent de Paul, devoted old ladies, and warm these outrageous tenets, and blushes for the allies of the sons of Loyola, were commissioned bloody annals of the past. Let it be added (it was their one sole work) to "cry out in a lathat, in the darkest by-gone periods, the blood- mentable voice" whenever they happened to thirsty fanaticism of the monk invariably sur- meet the vicar-general of Paris, " How is it that passed that of the rest of the clergy. The grand a priest who has written against the Jesuits is principle that truth submits itself to the under- permitted to officiate? Can it be right that a standing, and does not deign to compel accept- gentleman against the triple crown and sceptre ance, plainly as it is written in the Bible, was should enter the pulpit? Is it proper that the the theory only of the latter class. It has been clergy of Paris should be all-hail and well-met the characteristic tenet of the French Church with a jail-bird?" referring, it may be observed, for more than three hundred years; and if the to the Inquisition cell. nineteenth century reproaches us with the revo- The elderly females were, to do them justice, cation of the Edict of Nantes and the passing very diligent in their task, feeling sure that, in of other measures designed for the persecution thus backing up the most eminent servants of of the Protestants, it must be remembered that God, they were making giant strides to heaven. these, like all other intolerant acts, were the re- Then, petty remarks like these are catching: suit of Jesuit influence. many excellent people were scandalized at the Failing stakes and blocks, however, at the pres- I conduct" of the pestilent priest and the prinent day, there is a first-rate engine of destruction ciples of his unprincipled journal. For the easily worked, whose name is Calumny, as Julio larger section of the community, meanwhilesoon discovered on his arrival at Paris. Efforts that class which does not allow itself to be overwere made on all sides to destroy his reputation, burdened with religious requirements, and ad 208 UNDER THE BAI. mits them only to the threshold of its tastes and most thoroughly calculated to distance all compleasures, precluding all encroachments on their petition, the general mode of executing work in domain-the class, in short, that holds church- that establishment. It was one of the wonders going and Easter observance to be a proper sort of the day. And then the document which of thing, a matter of conventional respectability bore the signature "L'abbe Lavialle," soaring which it is as well to recognize-for characters higher and higher in its pretensions, had the of this sort a different dish wasserved up. The cool assurance to invite cardinals, archbishops, ladies aforesaid retailed in this quarter a sweet and bishops-all the clergy, high and low-to little romance to the effect that Julio had bro- pay a visit to this marvelous spot on the first ken into a convent and carried off his lady-love. possible opportunity.. In fact, the only person exempted from the polite and pressing request -*~ le~was the Pope; an omission which, considering CHAPTER VII. the gratification which the inspection promised, was scarcely civil or obliging. MARION LA CHAMPISE. In a word, Lavialle had calculated on human I HAVE no idea of disguising what is the re- ignorance for procuring his million. His proverse of beautiful in false apparel. I don't like spectus, at first sight, looked absurd; not so, ugly things in art any more than I do in nature. however, after it had been exposed to gentle I know one of our most classical legislators criticism, and forwarded to palaces and presbysings to me thus: teries. "It must be true," was the general " I n'est pas de serpent, ni de monstre odieux, judgment; "' he would not have had the impuQui, par Part imite, ne puisse plaire aux yeux;" dence to say all this if he only had a shed." but I don't agree with him. The objectionable Two or three bishops, in the space of five or six is always objectionable; a deformity is always years, had managed to get lost outside the wall a deformity; and if a serpent may be called of the inclosure; and, through the kind assistlovely in art, it is because it is graceful in na- ance of cabmen, who acted as guides, pushed ture, and ill deserves the ugly remarks that their way, at length, into the splendid workshops have been made about it since the Fall. of the prospectus. They were received in solA child with unpleasant things all over its emn state. All the hands went down on their face is as dear to its mother as if its beauty knees, according to prescribed orders; the bindwere undisfigured. The lady doesn't like the ers and stitchers-good souls as they always are spots, but she likes the young person behind -effected numerous crossings of themselves; them. and their lordships took their departure enThese remarks will be a proper introduction chanted with Lavialle, who had been prodigal to the very plain individual whose name heads in his professions of attachment to the pure docthis chapter. trines of Rome, and had talked so incessantly Loubere, as has been already stated, had pro- during the entire visit that they had only been cured employment at a printing-office. With able to get out, "A very fine place, indeed! his steady eye and ready intelligence he soon very fine place!" It wasn't likely that they became a clever and accomplished workman. would expose themselves, and the mistake they But we ought to describe his master and the had made, on their return to the provinces. whole concern. Let us do so at once. Lavialle, as being a printer, found it easy to A man of a business turn of mind, whom hap- be a journalist; and his journal, the Clerical hazard had made a priest, and who thought he Sentinel, announced, with the utmost impress, should like to be a millionaire, purchased, in iveness of type and style, that on such a day the the Boulevard Pigale, many years before its most illustrious and most reverend Bishop of present junction with the suburbs, an immense.. had paid a visit to the celebrated printwooden shed, with two or three type-cases ing warehouses of the Boulevard Pigale. knocking about inside-the whole concern dig- In short, it was an undoubted, undisputed nified with the imposing title of a printing-of- fact, a dogma to be most thoroughly received fice. He got it for next to nothing, for the sim- and believed by the Catholic world, that the pie reason that that was its exact value. His whole earth possessed no building so fair. or bargain effected, he ensconced himself within, sumptuous as the typographical Louvre of the and set to work to beautify his unsightly estab- illustrious Lavialle. lishment. A little corner of it was carpeted off, It was not enough, however, to have got hold and partitioned into a sitting-room and office, of the most extensive premises, and the largest where, with a proper patent authorizing him to collection of types and type-cases for the smallpublish any invaluable effusions that his own est possible outlay. The next point was to sebrains or those of others might bring forth, he cure workmen at the lowest possible wages. composed in Auvergnese style (for his father And in this, too, he succeeded. He opened a was a cowkeeper of Mont Dore) the most flam- friendly asylum to interdicted priests, telling ing prospectus that ever issued from the press. them that he would give them employment, but The printing warehouse, it declared, wvas one that, as they had not been brought up to it, they of the finest in Europe; the stereotyping unde- could not expect such high pay as skilled and niable; most exquisite the work, on the smooth- experienced workmen. In that way he gained est satin paper; most faultless the impressions; his point. The employment was often a god THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 209 send to the starving outlaw. True, the master The vicar-general of Honolulu received him very was hard, exacting, and severe in reference to graciously and cordially. the due working out of every moment of the "You are a fine fellow," he said. "What allotted working hours. Still, here was daily a grenadier you might have made! And so bread for the poor victim of ecclesiastical pro- you were a cure, were you? My good sir, you scription-no small mercy, as they think who mistook your calling. You're from the Pyrehave been in peril of losing it. nees, you. say? Bravo! They are splendid Thanks to these clever contrivances, the man chaps, those mountaineers. I suppose you had made a capital start. Once set going, how- know your alphabet; because, if you do, that's ever, his thirst for commercial success grew rap- all that a compositor requires. Cheer up! idly. The millions did not pour in fast enough, Success!" so he tried another plan-selling masses. "Sell- One evening Loubere was leaving the place, ing masses!" you exclaim; "impossible!" By after a hard day's work, in great need of air and no means; it's done in many ways, of which amusement, when he observed, all huddled up Lavialle chose the most creditable. on a bench, a very short woman, who sat moYou are a priest, say; he sends you books to tionless, in a strange attitude, as though she the value of a hundred francs. You have in had just fainted. Looking at her very closely, your sacristy two hundred engagements for he recognized a person known in the place as masses which you can not fulfill; you send him employed in some adjoining bleach-works, whom two hundred francs, with which he pays himself we will call Marion la Champise. Our mother for his books. At the same time, he writes to Nature is capricious at times, and exhibits here a disengaged priest, asking him to undertake and there strange victims of her freaks-small, the two hundred masses in his name, and he timid, feeble creatures, one of whom is generalwill send him one hundred francs' worth of ly to be found in every workshop, the sickly books. A simple system of exchange, and per- specimen of the flock. Such was Marion among fectly innocent, but at the same time leading to the bleachers. They were young, strong, and fabulous gains, healthy;. she was old, weak, and frail. So she There remained a third method of raising the was defenseless. Only hunchbacks, among her wind, too evident to escape our friend's notice. physical class, are gifted with powers of retort. He became a clerical banker, took care of small She was the butt of the rest; the subject of conpriestly savings, paid the regulated assessment tinual laughter, the wretched victim of a thoupunctually, and employed the capital in his sand cruel jests. speculation. On the day that Loubere found her shivering Having all but achieved a colossal fortune, at the entrance to the building, like another he, began to consider what honors he could Hagar on the confines of the wilderness, it was manage to get. The Minister of the Interior not merely derision that had made her heart having had the bad taste to omit him from his ache, but a formal discharge from her employlist of stars and crosses, and Rome having some- er. A stronger and more active hand had turnhow forgotten to appoint him a knight of St. ed up. Compassion has little weight when inGregory the Great, or the Golden Spur, he was terest is at stake; at least so Marion found, to compelled to turn his thoughts to clerical dis- her cost, as she sat there, out of place, out of tinctions. He made overtures to more than money, and with nowhere to hide her head. one bishop with a view to obtaining the appoint- "What on earth are you doing there, Mament of honorary canon, and at length succeed- rion?" asked LoubBre. ed. It was a grand day in his life, and conse- No answer, but a sigh-a sigh, however, most quently a trifle more agreeable to his printers. eloquent. But there was farther glory in store. A worthy "Have you been dismissed?" bishop from the Sandwich Islands, having come "Yes, sir; and there's nothing for me now across the far-famed prospectus, which had pen- but starvation." etrated even to his distant diocese, paid a visit "Heartless creatures! Tell me, would you to the celebrated premises on the occasion of a like to be housekeeper?" subsequent visit to Paris, and in the height of " That I should, sir!" his admiration for the reams of paper which he And her eyes, which were not ungentle, turnsaw piled up, and the masses of type and print- ed toward her eccentric friend as though she ers' stores, he then and there named M. l'Abbe meant them to speak the thanks her lips refused Lavialle vicar-general of Honolulu, his cathe- to utter. dral city. "You won't be lodged like a princess, let me From that hour the very reverend dignitary inform you. I have a kitchen, sitting-room, reposed under the embowering shade of his and an inner room where you might sleep. In laurels; contented with himself and his work, the day you can employ yourself as you like; he became an amiable sort of fellow, and relax- in the evening there's the dinner to get ready. ed the strictness of his watch over the hours of If that suits you, we'll set off home at once." arrival and departure as observed by his priestly Marion rose silently, and, like a dog fondled crew. by his master, followed humbly and submissiveLoubere had come to him during the first ly behind her new friend. honeymoon of his enjoyment of his new dignity. "Here you are, then, enthroned as queen," 0 210 UNDER THE BAN. said Loubere, when he had reached his cin- And his tone of voice convinced his friend quieme. "All I want you to do is to make that he was in earnest. good soup and keep out dust. I'm a bit of a "My dear boy," said Julio, "don't go and bear; you won't get many words out of me; commit yourself to any such wild notion. No but as a proof that I respect you as an honest mayor will hear of it. More than that, too, woman, we'll eat at the same table." even though you may not be exercising your Marion began to think she was dreaming; functions, still I am sure you respect your ofhowever, she soon made herself at home. She fice too highly to create a scandal." was wonderfully clean, a very tolerable cook, a "It's just because I know that the municipal good marketer, a capital bargainer, got the best authorities will have nothing to say to me that provisions at the cheapest rate, kept her mas- I want to bring them to the point, and compel ter's linen in good condition -was, in a word, them to explain themselves. I mean to go to all that Loubere could possibly require, and all the tribunals, to the emperor himself, if need more than repaid his benevolence. be. It's a most important question, and I should A host of projects had found their way into like to have it well ventilated and finally settled. his original brain from the time of his becom- It involves one higher still-the liberty of the ing one of the staff of the fortunate Honolulu subject. Pray believe me, Marion's fine eyes dignitary. He was well aware that for a priest have very little to do with the matter. She is to apply to the authorities for permission to horribly ugly-more ugly than I could possibly marry was an utter absurdity; yet, expelled describe. You know, old fellow, that touching from the duties of his office as he had been, memory of a crushed-out love that darkened my and driven to pick up a livelihood in the best earlier life. It was an attachment which no way he could, he felt strangely disposed to look one else could, by any possibility, supplant; cerout for a wife, and resented bitterly the un- tainly not my friend Marion-a lady little likerighteous enactments which stood in his way. ly to enchant a much less fastidious taste than "My dear fellow," he said, one evening, to mine. However, I want to try the question pro Julio, "I have got a bit of news that will aston- bono publico, so now you understand." ish you, I think." "You're raving, Loubere. I may not judge "Well, what is it?" you, or seek to influence you otherwise than by " I'm going to marry." my advice. But, frankly, I would not spare that " What a cram!" to divert you from this scheme of yours, which " I am, I tell you." would draw public attention down upon you, "Nonsense; you're laughing. Whom, may and set the journals mad with excitement." I make bold to inquire?" "Pretty much I mind your religious newspa"Well, a woman, at all events." pers, as dumb as drums with holes in them. "What family does she belong to?" Who cares a button for the Catholic Atlas, for " None at all." instance, and the other rotten old papers, that "Is she a foundling?" are obliged to abuse somebody in order to force "Yes; her name shows that." themselves into passing notice. From the day "Al! what may it be?" they lost their chief they have been dead and "Marion la Champise." buried. Ah! that was a man with whom I "Very good; a pretty name enough. And should like to have measured my strength, and how old is your Dulcinea?" braved his abuse. But as for the rowing of the "Guess." rest of'em, it's not worthy the honor of being "Twenty?" named; why, I should laugh at it-simply laugh "More. Guess again." at it." " Thirty?" "I believe you're hardly the sort of fellow to "More yet." be very much in awe of them." "Forty?" "Not exactly." "More." "Well, then, if you mean to persist in your "Fifty?" wild idea-which I hope is not your purpose"A little more." you ought first to write to Rome, and apply to "Why, you're going to marry some stupid the Pope to absolve you from your vow of celiold woman." bacy. That's your duty as a priest." "Not by any means. Old she is, I admit; "My dear Julio, I'm no longer a priest. Since but as for stupid, you're out there. She can I have left Rome, I've seen too much of the make first-rate soup." priesthood to retain much respect for it, or much "Come, Loubere, that's enough; I'm tired opinion of its regard for discipline. With refof your rubbish. Let's talk of something else. erence to the faith, all I can say is, you are a How is the illustrious honorary canon, and vic- lucky fellow to have preserved it in your own ar-general, and director of the printing estab- breast. As for me, it has either left me, or fearlishment of the Boulevard Pigale?" fully lessened its hold upon me. All things con" He's the best fellow in the world, and is in sidered, I am thankful to be out of the whole first-rate health. But, Julio, nonsense apart, concern. It's a horrible thing to teach others, I want to have a bit of serious talk with you. and doubt at the same time what you teach." Positively, I mean to get married." "What, Loubere? Do you mean to tell me THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 211 that if you were called once more to unfold the Ah! fair lady, addicted to late hours, you litGospel of Christ to the poor and unlettered, you tle think that, in order to contrive a mass for would begin by questioning its truth?" you on Sundays, and even in the week, at a " No, no, dear Julio-a thousand times no. time which may fall in with your arrangements, It's not with reference to the Gospel that I raise your indolence, your nights spent in party-gothe doubt, but with reference to human addi- ing, those miserable slaves will have to endure tions to it. However, face to face with the con- the tortures of semi-starvation. Were I a womvictions of a man like yourself, my skepticism an, I would never set my foot in a church at recoils. Possibly, one day I shall find out how such a service; my heart would ache too much to separate the false from the true, the human from the thought of the suffering I should occafrom the divine, and in this task you're the only sion, while my conscience would tell me that man who can help me. At present, however, I my indolent selfishness was an offense to God. have other fish to fry. As to appealing to Rome, Sometimes these officiating deacons are poor that's your business; as a journalist, you can priests, banished for their political opinionsshow up, in proper style, in your columns, the Poles seeking an asylum among their French evils of the present system, while I confine my brethren; or Spaniards involved in difficulties attention to the civil tribunals. We must have at home, arising from various sources, and drivthis question settled in the heart of Paris, that it en to earn their bread in another country; or may go through the world. You understand ill-starred victims of Jesuit animosity. Once a that my personal interest in the matter is mere- scholar of highest repute and European celebrily nominal. But, if I can but manage to start ty quitted the society, and became, and to this the idea, it will travel with its own velocity, day continues to be, one of these humble clergy while, by thus anticipating the future, and pre- in a Paris church. The companion of Arago paring the way to a better and happier state of and Humboldt is destined yet to die in his obChurch discipline, I shall feel that I have acted scure retreat, in spite of the honor that he brings wisely and well." to the cloth by his scientific publications. "You understand, Loubere, I agree with you As a rule, they are men of very considerable thoroughly on this question. But do you think intellectual attainments and lofty aspirations; it time yet to work it?" men who have been compromised by a rash ut"To work it-yes. To settle it-no. You terance of their sentiments or involved in a thesow wheat in November, and wait seven months ological dispute; inflexible characters, ill disbefore reaping it. Just so in human life-ages posed to bow before some imperious dignitary; are made up of months. Cast the thought into writers who have written too boldly, or scribthe furrow of the future, it will have fruitful blers (at times) who have bothered the world to produce in God's good time." death with their scribbling; with various other The two friends parted, and Julio told Louise classes and characters. Such men, after having of Loubere's eccentric project. been well scolded and abused, and duly sent off "He is mad," she said. "Poor fellow!" to a penitential retreat, turn up eventually in "A very generous madness, then," he an- this all but menial office, and may be seen swered. " He was just as mad when he went sweeping sacristies in long black gowns, assistto Rome, and worked night and day spending ing at innumerable ceremonies, and supplying his last sou in his efforts to set me free. All generally any chance vacancy that may occur in liberators are mad, I suppose. But we may well any particular place on any particular occasion. love and bless them, whether they are or no." Such is the life they are doomed to livenow arrayed in cloth of gold, velvet, moire an* -— *~ —-tique, or rich broidered vestments; now feeding on the scantiest possible allowance capable of CHAPTER VIII. sustaining life, yet the largest their wretched pittance enables them to procure. E OFFICIATING DEACONThe seminary lad, duly ordained and licensed ANY one writing the biographies of the suc- as a parish curate, is their superior, veterans cessive officiating deacons in the churches of though they are. He has a prospect of promoParis during the last thirty years would find tion-of being second curate one day, then first, that he had undertaken a singular task. As the and some time or other a dignitary of the Church. spectator sees the cure ascend the altar steps on The officiating deacons, on the other hand, see a high festival day, with two white-haired priests their hopes of advancement diminish the older on either side of him, arrayed in golden dalma- they grow. They quit, perhaps, the splendors tiques as gorgeous as his own chasuble, he real- of the Madeleine or St. Clotilde for the humbler izes only the distinguished pastor of a church shrine of La Villette, Grenelle, or even Mont like St. Roch or the Madeleine present to exer- Rouge, while ere long their despised ashes will cise the highest functions of his ministry, and moulder with those of the lowest outcasts in a attended by two clerical dignitaries scarcely less common grave at Ivry or Clichy-la-Garenne. exalted than himself. Vain delusion! they are They are, indeed, greatly to be pitied, though poor wretches who won't get any thing to eat on occasionally there are among them men qualiSunday till after one o'clock mass, and on week fled for no worthier post, or others, utterly indays not till noon. different to their lot, and willing to be forgotten, 212 UNDER THE BAN. who can not possibly interest any body, because quite right and proper to say it, by way of conthey take no interest in themselves, and are en- solation; but what I wish to observe is, that if tirely destitute of every thing approaching to I were a man-especially if I were the Abbe de self-respect. la Claviere-I'd see them far enough before I'd It will be in the reader's recollection that the go and be an officiating deacon at that little Archbishop of Paris had nominated Julio sec- wooden shed, dignified as the Church of Notreond chaplain of the Lycee of St. Louis. M. de Dame des Champs." Baraminos, however, yielding to the pressure "The abode of our Savior at Nazareth was that was brought to bear upon him from all humbler than that, Louise. What matters it sides, urged so strongly one morning at the in God's sight whether I am Pope, archbishop, council table the dissatisfaction this appoint- or deacon? I am but an officiating minister in ment had created inb the religious world, that each case, only the last position is less likely to the cardinal was thoroughly alarmed. It is not make me proud and conceited than the other easy to defy the opinion of one's friends; to do two; that's all the difference. My own dear so requires no little moral courage. sister, you are trying to lead your brother into "Then where shall I put him?" said his temptation, though you don't know it." eminence. "I must do something for him; Louise smiled. he's not a bad priest, after all." "Well, I suppose you are right," she said; To which the promoter, who had been well "I am a woman, and so I have a woman's tutored by the Jesuits, briskly replied that he spirit. He must be great who is willing to be thought it would be honor enough to make him small." an officiating deacon.. "Well, so be it: settle the matter in that way for the present; I'll see what more I can CHAPTER IX. do for him by-and-by." The same day an official notification was sent THE DSCUSSIONS AT ST. EUSTACE. to Julio, at the Rue de la Barouilliere, to the AMONG the warmest admirers of Julio's talfollowing effect: ents and ability was a M. de Leich, originally "M. L'ABBE,-An unfavorable report of your a barrister of the Imperial Court at T —. antecedents having reached the archbishop, his Thanks to considerable interest, he had met eminence feels reluctantly compelled to ca l withrapid promotion, and, at the time ofJulio's eminence feels reluctantly compelled to cancel Court of Cassahis recent appointment, made on the strength arrival in Pars, belonged to the Court of Cassaof the too partial recommendation of the Bishop tion in that city. of ---, whom you have probably misled as to He received our hero very warmly, though he your true character. You are appointed offici- almost failed to recognize in him the young ating deacon in the church of Notre-Dame des priest who had achieved such a brilliant repuChamps; and his eminence desires you to un- taton in his early home, so effectually had sorderstand that this is the only post to which herowwrouht upon him, like the hot sun upon has it in his power to nominate you. the autumn grapes. He had grown old and "I ought not to conceal from you that even grave; his original impulsiveness had mellowed this is a favor, and a favor which will be imme- down; his spirit had been chastened and purified in the furnace of affliction. diately withdrawn, with all power to officiate in fed in the furnace of affliction. the diocese, should you venture to lay yourself M. deLelch soon felt a growing esteem for open to any farther reproach. him, and the two became intimate friends. He open to any farther reproach. (Signed, etc.) "DE BARAMINOS, V.G. often took him home with him to a charming "Promoter." country residence which he had built between Courbevoie and Puteaux. Scarcely a Sunday Julio was not at all surprised by the contents passed but Julio, after escorting his sister to of this letter, nor did he feel, on receiving it, the Madame de Tourabel's, in the Faubourg St. slightest regret or indignation. Louise, how- Honore, indulged his passionate love of rural ever, cried bitterly, thoroughly understanding scenery in this pleasant retreat. what had led to this new persecution. The magistrate. was worthy, in the highest "Don't trouble yourself about them, dear- sense of the term: he was an earnest, upright est," he said; "they are but the instruments Christian. His religious opinions were calm of a merciful Providence, after all. The bruised and tolerant-completely devoid of that rancorgrape doesn't rail against the wine-press. We ous bigotry which identifies love to God with profess to be Christians; let us exhibit a real hatred toward those who differ from the bigot. Christian spirit." His wealth and position invested him with con"You are brave indeed, Julio, to submit so siderable importance; and as his house was in cheerfully to such utter degradation." the Rue du Jour, near the church of St. Eustace, "It is that very abasement that makes us he had been at once appointed one of the yesstrong, Louise. The oak bough springs up with trymen of his parish. greater vigor to the skies after having been vio- It was now 1861, and the Advent festival was lently held down. The more the bow is bent, fast approaching. The importance which Paristhe farther flies the arrow." ians attach to the preaching on great occasions, "That's all very pretty; and I suppose it's such as Advent and Lent, especially in church THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 213 es like St. Roch, St. Sulpice, the Madeleine, and possessed, from time immemorial, the right of St. Eustace, is well known. Three or four years choosing their preachers at Advent and Lent, back, an able Dominican had been appointed to of course submitting their choice to the archpreach at St. Eustace on the present occasion. bishop; that the curd of St. Eustace had satisMeanwhile, M. de Leich was extremely anxious fled this form in reference to the Dominican to'see Julio in one of the more conspicuous pul- whom he had selected for that occasion; that pits of the city, and, with that view, spoke to his eminence had no jurisdiction over any arthe cure of his church on the subject. There rangements apart from the principal ministrawas some little difficulty in starting: it was a tion; and, lastly, that the Abbd Julio, being neibold measure to take up a man who had been ther suspended nor interdicted by his bishop, proceeded against by the most renowned of the could not possibly be refused the right to exerRoman orders, and whom the archbishop him- cise his ministerial functions. self had appointed to the humblest post in the This reply, of course, was far from satisfacdiocese. However, M. de Leich managed to tory to the zealous petitioners. They went so dispose of every scruple as it arose, and sue- far as to-murmur against the decision arrived ceeded in getting Julio appointed to preach at at, and, if report is to be believed, even insulted St. Eustace, during Advent, every Thursday one of the archiepiscopal secretaries by telling evening, leaving the Sunday open to the Do- him that there was an authority at Rome highminican. It was agreed between the three that er than that of any archbishop, and that to it the arrangement should be kept a profound se- they meant to appeal, asjustice had been denied cret till the lectures commenced, in order to them at the palace. To which piece of imperavoid, as long as possible, the excitement which tinence the secretary replied with quiet firmit would occasion in ultramontane circles. They ness. He assured them that they were miswere prudent enough, also, to omit Julio's name taken in their views; that the Pope was not from the notice on the church door, announcing Archbishop of Paris, and had nothing to do the day and hour when the series would begin, with the administration of dioceses, except in contenting themselves with a simple intimation extreme cases of general appeal. that't discussions, intended especially for men, It was, indeed, a thing to be well cried about, would take place every Thursday at the parish to see the great bulk of the Paris clergy still inchurch during the coming Advent, at eight fected with the heresy of Gallicanism; for so o'clock in the evening." the ultramontane writers and journalists styled The Abbe Denis, however, who was "told the doctrines which had been held by Bossuet, off" as Julio's body-guard, and who watched him Luzerne, Frayssinous, Cheverus, Affre, and Siincessantly, contrived, in some inscrutable way, bour, and, in short, by almost all the French to ascertain, about eight or ten days before the bishops up to the present hour. time, that these discussions were to be conduct- Meanwhile the St. Eustace discussions went ed by the great enemy of the Jesuits. It will on, to the great distress of the Jesuit partisans, be easy to imagine the dismay which the news who had reckoned upon the timidity of the created in that illustrious fraternity. It spread archbishop. They became famous, and recalled with wonderful rapidity. " That object of uni- the palmiest days of Lacordaire at Notre Dame, versal reprobation, a runaway convict, was about before that illustrious orator sullied his reputato exhibit his talents in one of the most cele- tion by assuming the robe of St. Dominic so inbrated pulpits in Paris, and eclipse the Jesuit separably associated with the horrors of the Instar in Notre Dame!" At first no one believed quisition. it. But as soon as it was ascertained beyond True, it was the thoughtful philosopher who, all doubt that on the first Thursday in Advent in that way, sought for a protecting shelter this most objectionable individual had actually while he matured and divulged his views. held forth to the unanimous and enthusiastic What he dared not say as the abbe he might delight of a select audience, recruited, through venture on as a Dominican. Hence the step M. de Leich's exertions, from among magis- which so many have regretted. trates, professors, and literary men, the fury of On the other hand, the Catholic Liberal crethe opposition party knew no bounds. ated a positive storm in the ultramontane world. The question suggested itself at once, What Ably written, and in full knowledge of the needs was to be done? It was resolved to appeal to of the Church, it reviewed and demolished the the archbishop; to make a very grievous and fallacious theories of the bigoted party. At very ferocious lamentation, and to spread, from once cutting and quiet in style, and opposing to pole to pole, the tidings of this unparalleled ef- impassioned sophisms calm and irresistible logfrontery. ic, it lashed, day after day, the unhappy advoThe cardinal was literally besieged. with vis- cates of the tiara, and consoled the large maitors. They came in shoals, from duchesses and jority who felt keenly the actual degradation marchionesses to priests of every, order under which the Church was undergoing. the sun. Of course, the Jesuits were in full Of course, the sectarian foes plotted, with force. His eminence and his vicars-general unremitting eagerness, to ruin the journalist. grew weary of their life. They knew well that, having lost that able chief, The only answer the memorialists obtained who was the only man likely to give a name was to the effect that the cures of Paris had, and reputation to their press, they had no one 214 UNDER THE BAN. left to cope with Julio; so they prevailed upon cue. A reply had come, which the writer imtwo or three of the bishops in the South to for- agined to be couched in very affectionate terms, bid their clergy, by letters, which were carefully but which was, in reality, full of unmeaning posted up in Paris, to take in, or in any way phrases, utterly devoid of heart or interest, and patronize the Catholic Liberal. They tried their the true character of which Louise detected at utmost to get it into the Prohibitory Index, and once. It was the final death-blow to her uncontrived to obtain an order interdicting its ad- happy love, and left her resolved from that day mission into the Roman States, lest it should forward to devote herself entirely to promoting bring with it the Gallican infection. her brother's happiness. To identify herself Nor did the illustrious Denis rest on his oars. with him more and more, to develop her own His proceedings were of another character alto- intelligence by contact with his, to engage in gether. He enrolled a few miserable creatures, steady reading that she might help him in his kept alive by charity, and contrived a scheme work-such was her plan, and she pursued it which, by the notoriety it would occasion, was eagerly. to force the archbishop to prohibit the discus- One day, however, Madame de Tourabel told sions. her, in utter ignorance of the interest which the On the Thursday of the second week of Ad- news would create, that Verdelon was married. vent (the season begins on All Saints' Day), he Up to that moment she had fancied she was free reached the church in good time, accompanied from her infatuation. On hearing the tidings, by about one hundred men, whom he distributed however, she became conscious of a secret hope in groups to the best advantage, through the that had been lurking within her breast, as nave and aisles. They had been well instruct- though unwilling to depart, and which, even in ed in what they were to do. Plied with plenty the presence of that decisive intelligence, she of wine, at his expense, from the wine-stores found it hard to expel without severe suffering. round the church, these somewhat original act- Moreover, the constant persecution and slanors prepared for a demonstration, encouraged derous reports which were adopted against her by the promise of a five-franc piece if the thing brother had a most distressing effect upon herwent off well. Accordingly, as soon as Julio'self. She was a prey to unceasing suffering of commenced, they joined in with a violent cough, mind, and her health declined daily. The afbegan to talk loud enough to drown his voice, fair at St. Eustace was a terrible shock to her, and soon succeeded in creating a disturbance; and even Julio himself felt it very keenly, desome of them raising the cry, "Down with that tecting the hateful conspiracy out of which it man," while others shouted, "Success to the or- had sprung. ator," the object being to feign a struggle be- On the following Sunday, while he was dintween the preacher's friends and opponents. ing at Puteaux with his friend M. de Leich, The confusion was terrible. In France, when Louise spent the evening in the Faubourg St. any shouting is going on, every one shouts- Honord. The party was small, but among the honest men and scamps alike. Julio, having arrivals were "M. and Madame de Verdelon;" made a vain attempt to silence the throng, was for our friend Augustus had signalized his marcompelled to leave the pulpit. The efforts of riage by adopting this little ornamental prefix to Denis were crowned with success. his family name. The disturbance, which created immense ex- Louise started up as though she had been citement, was marvelously explained by the ul- struck by a thunderbolt. She hadn't the fainttramontanists. Rome was informed that Julio est idea that " the happy couple" were in Paris. had uttered such monstrous sentiments that the Pale and trembling, she sank back again into congregation rose as one man, and refused to her easy-chair, covering her face with her hands hear any more of his blasphemies; that he had to hide her confusion. not only railed against the temporal power of "How do you do, cousin?" said the baroness the Pope, but also abused the spiritual. The to the newly-married wife. faction against him became so powerful from The customary forms of politeness were inthat hour, that the archbishop, dreading any far- terchanged. Madame de Verdelon was one of ther scenes of a similar character, reluctantly the De Tourabel family. She was an only interfered. He sent for the cure of St. Eustace, daughter, and had brought two millions in landand, while he gave a willing and generous tes- ed property to the ambitious barrister. The timony of his full belief in Julio's orthodoxy, quondam friend of Julio, and advocate of his represented the undesirableness of continuing interests in opposition to the Jesuits, had bethe discussions, and requested him to announce come their most enthusiastic friend. They had that they would no longer be held. given him a wealthy wife, it is true; but when ambition has induced a man to trample out an honorable love, and fling from him the heart he CHAPTER X. had won, what farther change in his mind and feelings is it not capable of effecting! AN EVENING PARTY AT MADAME )E TOURA- A'.T~ -r'XDA' E D' TOURA- Madame de Tourabel went through the vaBEL'S. rious introductions requisite. ON reaching Paris, Julio had written to Ver- "Mademoiselle Julio de la Claviire," she said, delon, telling him of Louise's and his own res- pointing to Louise. THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 215 "Ah! exactly. I've heard of her," said the "I can't admit that. I have a great respect young lady, in an embarrassed tone of voice. for him, and am warmly attached to his sister." Verdelon maintained his cheerful and com- "My dear baroness, you are kind-heartedness posed demeanor as a happy bridegroom with itself, but you have been deceived. Men of his that ease and success which his profession had stamp never show themselves in their true coltaught him to assume in every position of per- ors to persons like yourself. But I do assure plexity. Men like him are as much masters you that you are the only person in respectable of the situation in the drawing-room as in the society whom I ever heard speak a word in his assize court. favor." Louise, however, had not had his advantages. "Why, you don't even know the man. I'll No school had taught her how to disguise her introduce him to you one of these days." feelings and play the hypocrite. She made a "Horror of horrors! I should look upon it quiet inclination of her head, took leave of her as high treason," said the countess, laughing; hostess, and went home. then, resuming her previous gravity, added, "I "Mademoiselle de la Claviere seems ill," don't know hin, you say; no, thank God I don't, said the baroness, as soon as the door had closed. but Rome does. He has a tolerably wide-spread "I shall send and inquire after her to-morrow. reputation. What do you think of his breakShe comes from Languedoc-a fellow-country- ing into a nunnery? an exploit worthy of Gariwoman of yours, by the way," she added, ad- baldi, that. What have you got to say of his dressing herself to Verdelon. connection with revolutionary agents at Rome, "Yes; I knew her brother," was his reply. the conspirators who got him out of his dun"Indeed, I pleaded for him once against the geon? Can you venture to defend his furious Jesuits in an unfortunate affair, which the rec- article against the temporal power?' Well ollection of early friendship induced me to take known,' indeed-I should just think he was. up; as it was a hopeless case, of course I lost Why, my dear friend, you have espoused a bad it." cause in undertaking his defense. Your kind "He is a most talented man," said the bar- heart is your best excuse; but it does not do to bness. encourage free-thinkers, for all that." "Yes, he is clever —got the gift of the gab." "I don't encourage him. At the same time, "A very disagreeable thing has just happen- he seems to me so sensible and moderate in his Ed to him at St. Eustace." views, in which you must acknowledge that he " So I understand; it will do him considera- has some excuse in the violent reaction against ble harm." our government on the part of the authorities at At that moment the Countess de Vezere, the Rome." penitent of De Baraminos, and the warm parti- "Then our government should give back to san of the Jesuits, entered the room. the Pope what has been plundered from him. "We were speaking of the sad affair at St. It can do it, and it ought to do it. Look here, Eustace," said Madame de Tourabel, continuing my dear friend, it's not the thing to trifle with the conversation. principles: you're far too indulgent. Give up "A disgraceful affair, rather," rejoined the this brother and sister. She's almost as bad as countess; "there never was such a scandal in he is. What was she doing in Italy?" a Paris church before. But his eminence is so "What was she doing? Don't you know lenient- weak, one might almost say. He al- the history of that business? Why, she was lows too much latitude to his clergy, and the kidnapped." consequence is, they are everlastingly getting "Kidnapped! ridiculous. Who on earth got into scrapes, crying up Gallicanism, and pat- you to believe that vile fiction? You've been ronizing the enemies of the Church and Pope. very incorrectly informed, to say the least of it." They'll soon come to call his Holiness M. de "Quite mistaken. However, I'llgive in about Rome, as an archbishop designated him in the the brother. Perhaps you're right in his case. last century. The priests here are not in good I find him myself a little too advanced in his repute in the Eternal City." ideas." "You surprise me, countess. I fancied that "He's another Passaglia-a Gavazzi." the French clergy ranked high in the Pope's es- "Be it so, if you like; but his sister I will timation." stand up for. She is a dear girl, as you would "The French clergy —yes, because they are say if you knew her. So gentle, and yet so devoted to his interests; but not those in Paris, clever." otherwise there wouldn't have been a cure "Clever enough, I believe you. She writes among them ready to encourage an enemy of in her brother's paper, I understand. You may Rome and the Jesuits like Julio de la Claviere." rely upon it, she's as bad as he is. All original " Stay, stay, countess; I never heard the abbe thinkers are more or less dangerous. Besides speak otherwise than most respectfully of the that, I know enough against the young lady to Holy Father, and I know he is greatly distress- make me indifferent to the honor of her aced at his painful and critical position." quaintance. Stick to the regular clergy; they "He is against the temporal power, for all are the only body that have real priests among that; so he's an enemy of the Pope, and no them. Every departure from the pious traditrue priest." tions of days gone by is unsafe. It was a long 216 UNDER THE BAN. time before I found out this, for I had my little While the necessary preliminary measures leanings; myself, toward the new ideas, as they were being taken, and intense excitement was are called; but they have all been dispelled by being aroused in the printing-shop, Louberc, the holy Jesuits, whom I have constantly met who was anxious to render the proceedings as at my mother's. The fact is, their cause ought conducive as possible to the interest he had at to be exclusively espoused. They are the cen- heart, forwarded a communication to Julio foI tre and support of the ecclesiastical arch; the insertion in his journal, accompanied by the folcomplete triumph of their power will be the sal- lowing note: vation of the Church. Let me tell you, be- " MY DEAR FRIEND,-I inclose a letter which tween ourselves, I have left the Abbe de Bara- please publish in your columns without delay. minos altogether. He is too Gallican for my fan- I will hold myself responsible for its contents cy; besides which, he's one of the seculars, and by putting my name to it, so all you have to do they know nothing about the guidance of souls." is to give it a prominent place. I'm sure you "I've heard it whispered, from time to time, won't refuse me. that your friends are slightly ambitious." "Ever yours, LOBERE." "Ambitious, my dear creature! Yes, ambitious for the honor of the Pope, the maintenance "To the Editor of the CATHOLIC LIBERAL. of his rights, and the glory of God. As far as "SIR,-I am a priest of the Catholic Aposthey themselves are concerned, they haven't a tolic Roman Church, and have officiated in the single worldly desire." dioceses of Chambery and T —. For reasons " People are afraid of them." more political than religious, and connected with "Because slanderous tongues, an unprinci- the interminable question of the papal sovereignpled press, and vicious literature have so mis- ty, the Archbishop of Chambery has thought fit represented and calumniated them." to withdraw my license. Driven out of the " Well, I must acknowledge that." priesthood, I have been compelled to cast about And, turning to Verdelon, she asked him for means of obtaining a livelihood. My maswhether they hadn't plenty of Jesuits at T —. ter began His life in a workshop, and closed it "Yes-great numbers. They have a splen- in the discharge of His office. I commenced did college there." mine in the ministry, and end it in the shop. " What an immense deal of good they do- I don't complain of my lot-a lot dignified by don't they?" appealed the countess. Him whom I serve, and rendered honorable by "They do, indeed, madame." many of His servants, who have wrought with As the countess was taking her leave, she their hands in their own support while they minsaid to her friend, in a whisper, istered to others. So I am in good company, "Don't get mixed up with these two-that's and I am almost inclined to believe that the a dear creature. I am only advising you for Church will scarcely recover her ancient strength your good. The fact is, our people are sur- except by returning to her ancient self-denial. prised at you. You'll finish up with getting "Before that happy consummation arrivesthe cold shoulder, and displeasing your numer- a consummation which I never hope to witness ous friends." myself-I wish to point out to your readers q This little speech did its work. It was a glaring injustice of which I, and many like me, quiet hint to Madame de Tourabel to withdraw are the victims. her countenance from the enemies of the Jes- "I am not going to inquire whether the bish. nits. ops who have deprived myself and others of our +- ~ —~i —ministerial rights can be justified in what they have done; I have no intention of raising the CHAPTER XI. question whether or not they have acted unTHE MARIAGE OF RESTS. der passionate excitement; whether they have THE MARRIAGE OF PRIESTS. brought to bear on our case all that thoughtful THE priest-workman in the Boulevard Pigale consideration which justice and charity require; had followed up his singular design. He took nor yet whether they have, or have not, observed good care to have it thoroughly understood that the canonical laws intended from the earliest he was a priest when he left his marriage papers times to protect the weak against the strong. at the Mairie. Meanwhile the mayor had been Indeed, that economy has disappeared: they are enlightened as to the whole affair; and on the omnipotent now, and they have used their om. day that Loubere presented himself in his Sun- nipotence against us. I am even willing to ad. day best, with a select few from the printing- mit, for argument's sake, that they are right in shop as witnesses, and the blushing beauty hang- what they have done, and that we have been ing on his arm, the civil authority declined to very properly deprived of our licenses. proceed in the matter, to the great disgust of "But, this being the case, is it not unreason. the bride, who looked at the whole affair as thor- able to continue depriving us of a civil and sooughly serious. cial right, refused in the first instance the better This was just what the bridegroom wanted. to qualify us for undertaking duties which we He applied for the refusal in writing, and, with are no longer permitted to discharge? this document in his possession, proceeded to "Why is the Church less liberal to us who lodge his appeal at the court of the Seine. are now deprived of our functions, than she is THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 217 to Catholic priests in Greece, to the priests of der, and who, moreover, are incessantly talking Mount Lebanon, and the various Eastern corn- of the perfect equality of all men before God. inunions in allegiance to the Pope, whom she Let me ask, as a religious question, is it of more permits to marry, but retains in office? importance that high-born families should be "I am not going to discuss here the advan- perpetuated than that a multitude of inoffensive tages which would accrue to the Church from children should obtain their rights of birth? the entire abolition of celibacy, nor am I going " I feel that I have handled this most importo revert to the numerous evil results, as record- tant subject very imperfectly. I can only add ed in episcopal registers, of this most objection- my earnest conviction that it is high time that able restriction. I will suppose that it works the scandal was abolished. The greater the admirably in every case but ours. Yet are we number of priests allowed to resume their posithe less Christians, children of the Church, be- tion in society and to contract marriage, the cause we are debarred from exercising the office greater will be the respect accorded to those which once belonged to us? Though they strip who, declining the offered permission, retain us of the honors of the priesthood, they can not their functions and their vows together. take away our orders, for they declare that they " No one is better qualified than yourself, sir, are indestructible. Meanwhile, the vow of ceel- to espouse the cause of this unfortunate class, ibacy is of an entirely different character. Not and to help them, if possible, toward the attaineven the highest ecclesiastical authority can di- ment of their object. No slight proof of this invest us of what is in its essence sacramental, terest on your part will be afforded by your inbut nothing could be easier than to restore us sertion of this letter in your generous columns. our rights as citizens after depriving us, whether To intercede for us is to perform a truly charitajustly or unjustly, of our rights as priests. ble action. Receive, etc., "The present state of things is nothing short "LOUnBRE, an ex-priest." of a disgrace to Catholicism. Men who have been driven out of their ministerial position, The letter, though impulsively, was carefully and, consequently, from the guardianship of ec- written, and reflected in no way on Rome or the clesiastical authority, contract alliances which episcopate. Julio hesitated for a long time bethe state refuses to recognize, and the offspring fore publishing it; he admitted all its stateof which are denied the rights of birth, and have ments, but doubted the expediency of raising a no legal claim to their parents' property. I ask, fresh question in the presence of so many others is this just or right? of the highest importance. And then the point " Moreover; it is well known that out of every itself-Would it not be better, he thought, to hundred interdicted priests there are ninety-five have it argued calmly and dispassionately, if it whose morals are irreproachable, but who have was to be brought forward, than that it should been guilty of what is termed insubordination be violently discussed by men prejudiced on in evincing political opinions of too developed a either side, the one faction thirsting after a forcharacter. Priests know well that they have ward movement, heedless of any overthrow that only got to cringe to their bishop, pull devotedly might result from obtaining it, the other as anxin his boat, and display enthusiastic zeal on spe- ious to go back to the bigoted teaching and syscial occasions, and their private characters are ter of Gregory VII.? It was evidently a usesafe from too curious scrutiny. Our duty, there- less struggle. fore, is to approach the sovereign pontiff, whose However, the obligations he was under to benevolence and justice are so conspicuous, with Loubere, who, after all, merely contributed his the prayer that he would interest himself in these production in the character of a correspondent men, whose case is so deserving of his sympathy. for whose sentiments he was not responsible, "Failing a general measure, the notoriety of decided him. The letter was inserted. which might, perhaps, be inexpedient, wouldn't Of course there was a terrible hubbub, the it be well if the bishops of the more important whole fury of which was condensed in the one dioceses-Paris, for instance, the refuge of the sentence, greater number of these interdicted priests- "So the Catholic Liberal demands the marwere to take the initiative by applying privately riage of priests." to Rome for a dispensation in such cases under The Catholic Atlas had a paragraph to the such circumstances? effect that the whole thing was a sham; that " It is a right the Popes have always claimed the sentiments of the letter were in reality those and constantly exercised. There are many in- of the editor, disguised in that form, and substances in by-gone times in which scions of scribed with a fictitious name from prudential noble families, whose eldest brothers have died motives. without issue, they themselves being priests, have Meanwhile the incident itself served as a preapplied for permission to secularize themselves text for new insults. Anonymous letters were by marriage, in order that they might hand down poured down upon Julio in a continuous showtheir princely name and fortune. We are only er, conceived in terms equally veracious and pooutcasts of the lowest order, it is true, but our lite. Many of them were signed with initial souls are as precious in God's sight as those of letters, followed by the word "priest." princes and patricians. We ought to inspire "Ah! my fine fellows," said Loubere, as he the same interest in bishops sprung from our or- I read this latter collection, "you, at all events, 218 UNDER THE BAN. stand in good need of being absolved from vows "The superior courts, in interdicting the which you have yourselves shaken off. I have priest from marriage, imagined that they were always remarked that, in clerical meetings, the furthering the cause of religion and preventing most blameless priests have been those most ea- the occurrence of possible scandals in the bosom ger in advocating a change in this law, while the of the Church. others have invariably protested, thinking, by "Gentlemen, this is a clever delusion, well that means, to protect their individual reputa- calculated to work its way in excitable tempertion from too curious scrutiny. Oh, if their aments. Remember that there are wide counbishops were only to show them up!" tries where Catholicism is advancing daily, but The archbishop, of course, came in for his where, at the same time, the marriage of priests share of violent expostulation. The most ve- is allowed. I might mention the United States, hement remonstrances were addressed to him and the Protestant kingdoms of Europe, more from all parts of France, coupled with the most especially England. Does the priest avail himenergetic protests against a paper whose princi- self of his privilege in these free countries, and ples were scandalizing the Catholic world. abandon his ministry? By no means; he remains true to his voluntary vow, while his con+ -— *~ —stancy secures him the most unfeigned respect. And if you tell me that, in the event of this CHAPTER XII. point being carried, France would be deluged TLO U B E E rPL E AD S. vwith a polluted flood of men repudiating the priesthood, I answer, so much the better. The THE great question of the marriage of the leaven will be purged away. What is left bepriests, which Loubere had brought before the hind will be pure and good, and will merit and civil court of the Seine, was heard amid the receive the greater reverence. Thus Catholigreatest excitement and interest. One of the cism will gain instead of lose, and the last vesmost conspicuous members of the bar in Paris tiges of intolerance will be removed. ranged himself on the side of liberty. He had "But I go still farther. got up various facts from the annals of the past, " We have become so accustomed in France and showed how the secret marriages of priests to the ignorant persuasion, if I may be allowed continued up to the time of the Middle Ages. the expression, that celibacy among the clergy Arguing the question on all sides, and gather- is indispensable, that any interference with the ing the inferences suggested by the multitudi- idea we regard as simply preposterous.'All nous evidence which he had collected, he de- very well for the Protestant clergy to marry,' monstrated that the law of celibacy was inex- is a common remark;' but the Catholic priest, pedient, and, as regarded the objects entertain- who is required to confess, must remain single.' ed in its institution, an utter fallacy. Such is the traditional notion; a more unsound Next came Loubere, on the moral and relig- one could not be imagined. ious aspect of the question: his wild, earnest "Is it possible that those who hold to this eloquence told powerfully in the crowded court. belief are ignorant that there are conspicuous "Gentlemen," he said, "I should not have sections of English Catholics who are not by been so rash as to undertake to plead before any means bound by this restriction? quite the you, after the brilliant address you have just contrary; whose priests are positively compelled heard, had I not felt that my position puts into to marry, while they receive at the same time, my mouth arguments which no other could so with the hearty consent of the faithful, customeffectually employ, because no one else can feel ary confessions? Indeed, experience proves that so acutely the injustice of the system against men who know something of life, and have had which this protest is entered. some little practical experience of its ways, are " It has been shown to you that, under a so- better adapted for spiritual guidance than mere cial economy which, since the year 1789, has untutored neophytes or ignorant bachelor rebeen proclaiming universal liberty, there has cluses. ever been one exception to this general rule. "These things being so-and their truth can The convict is released from the hulks, and al- not be disputed-why, I ask, why does human lowed to set up for himself, and to gather round law persist in an obstinate opposition to this him a family circle; the brigand-ay, and even most righteous demand? the murderer, at times-have had conceded to " Gentlemen, you are maintaining a wretchthem the same privilege; it has been reserved ed prejudice, a miserable, practical fallacy in the for authority to announce, in the presence of a world. You give force to the most weighty obpeople justly proud of their liberties, that to the jections ever urged against the clergy. Were priest, and the priest alone, this boon shall nev- priests not hindered from marriage, they would er be granted. marry in shoals. This prejudice is universal; "The fact being admitted by the first tribu- and nothing will weaken its hold on the popunal in the most civilized town in the world, lar mind except an irresistible testimony supwhat more is requisite to prove the injustice of plied by facts. As soon as it is announced that which we complain? the municipal authorities are ready to sanction "But there are other considerations which I the civil marriage of the clergy, it will be at wish to bring before you. once fully admitted that those who keep back THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 219 are all that they profess to be, and their fidelity ly deference to the imperious dictates of societo their original vow will be thoroughly appre- ty, succumbing to its prejudices and espousing ciated. its animosities. She saw that in thus giving " Gentlemen, we Frenchmen are far more way she was virtually destroying her liberty of under the dominion of Medievalism than is thought and action; that she was bidding adieu generally supposed, and the crisis of 1789 has to the world of noble and generous progress, but very imperfectly emancipated us. We have, and was about to sink back, at the close of her it is true, proclaimed full liberty for all denomi- life, into an indolent supineness, an idiotic vennations; and the Church has none but spiritual eration of the past, and a pitiful dislike of all weapons now to compel us to fidelity to our fa- modern efforts to open, for present and future thers' faith. The secular arm has ceased to up- ages, the golden gates of progress. lift itself in aid of any who would force down Moreover, the influence of the brother and belief. There were those who once raised the sister had not been lost upon her; and of this shout,' Believe or die-turn or burn;' but they she was conscious. Under their teaching, the are gone, and their tyranny has perished with horizon of her mental view had broadened. them. Yet, though the civil power refuses to She was charitable, as all compassionate women repeat so cruel an injustice-though it will not of wealth and benevolence always are, but nothkill the body, it kills the soul, for it drives into ing more. Meanwhile, this question of charprofligacy and excess by an unrighteous enact- ity, in its different bearings, had been closely ment-it compels thousands of men to be im- studied by Louise since she came to Paris; and moral by depriving them of their only hope of the result had been, that she had detected its being moral. stereotyped mode of exhibition for ages past, by " Gentlemen, I have done. It is for you to no means in harmony with modern social needs. pronounce your verdict. Remember that, in Julio took up the subject, and handled it powthis matter, you are bound by no legal enact- erfully in his journal. Louise read a few exment in the code. The letter from the Minis- tracts from his article to Madame de Tourabel, ter of Worship, dated January 14,1806, can not and the good sense of this excellent woman possibly be regarded as having the force of law: soon convinced her of the practical truth of his it was but a provision for the moment-the ex- opinions. She had, together with her young pression of an individual judgment, in no way friend, concerted schemes consistent with these referring to the future. Every citizen has a new views, and these she must give up if she full right to insist on the repeal of a require- was to relinquish her society. ment opposed to moral interests. In this case, Her father was one of the most illustrious however, you are not called upon to deal with and high-born men under the old monarchy, civil enactments, but only with religious disci- while her husband was the only son of a general pline. If you insist, however, on maintaining of the empire, who owed every thing he had to that discipline as it stands, be consistent and go his sword and the favor of Napoleon I. Yet farther. Give in your various municipal regis- the lady had kept up all her relationships with ters to the ecclesiastical authorities-compel the aristocratic old families in the Faubourg St. Catholics to live as Catholics should. Pass Germain: they flattered her pride. She had laws enjoining them, under pain of death, to one foot in the imperial court, the other in the confess regularly, and to communicate at East- saloons of the past regime, a position which in er. Either submit body and soul to the yoke some measure compensated to her for the deof bondage, or break it altogether." cided mediocrity of the alliance which her povHe sat down applauded; but his eloquence erty had compelled her to make. With this and arguments were equally useless. The tri- stately set she had no disposition to break. It bunal heard and smiled, and simply and utterly would have been too severe a trial for her vanrejected his application. ity. She might have given up visiting them, certainly, only she had no fancy to shut herself up. So she kept agitating the question in her mind; realizing, on the one hand, all the baseCHAPTER XIII. ness of the slavery she was admitting, on the A BROKEN TIE. other, all the advantages of the position to which she clung. Eventually she wept over THE underhand insinuations of the Countess her cruel fate; tore out the love of Louise from of Vezere had told upon the Baroness de Tour- her heart, as a lover might his mistress's image; abel. She saw at once that she must choose dried her tears, and submitted to the countess. between her own society, whose praise or blame Knowing that Louise was sick, she wrote her were of such moment in her estimation, and her a note expressed in a style sufficiently cool to sweet friend Louise, who had so effectually at- convince her that their old relations were to tracted and secured her affection. continue no longer. Friendship is almost as As she loved her and respected Julio, the suspicious as love; and when two or three othstruggle was long and bitter. Moreover, she er notes, written in the most indifferent style, was not a little influenced by her woman's pride. were all the answer that Louise received to her Naturally her feelings were lofty and honorable, own warm-hearted, affectionate letters, she felt and she resented this idea of yielding a coward- that her friend was following in the path of her 220 UNDER THE BAN. lover. In one of them she was told that M. it, such as an unwillingness to countenance disand Mme. de Verdelon had returned to T-; cord in the Church, were worthy of respect; still the great lady, in the whirl of society, had and Julio began almost to ask himself whether no leisure to call on the poor sufferer. he had not better recede from his invidious task, As soon as Louise could go out, she went to or, at all events, prosecute it with less ostentaher old friend, and was coldly received. Julio's tion in a quieter and more secluded sphere. name was never mentioned, to her deep con- About the end of January, 1862, he received cern. Not a word of tenderness fell from the the following letter: lady's lips, nor was the invitation to Sunday's "Archbishopric of Paris. quiet dinner renewed. "M. L'ABBE JULIO is requested to call at the After staying a few minutes, Louise rose, palace, at two P.M., next Tuesday, as the proand Madame de Tourabel made no effort to de- moter wishes to see him on important business. tain her. "DE BARAMINOS, V.G., Promoter." " Good-by," said Louise, grasping convulsively the coldly offered hand, with a secret resolve Accordingly, he presented himself at the apnever to enter that door again. pointed hour, on the appointed day, and found And she returned, weary, ill, and sad, to her an ecclesiastic in the antechamber, who had humble home. been summoned like himself-an unhappy cure of one of the parishes round Paris. An inner +~ —- ~ — ~ door opened, and the priest was admitted into the private room of the promoter. CHAPTER XIV. The discussion was long and exciting; a grave charge of some description or other had been alleged, and overwhelming evidence adTo succeed effectually in shutting the pulpit duced. In reply to all that was urged, the acdoor on Julio was not enough for his implaca- cused represented himself as unjustly calumnible enemies. ated, and pursued by jealousy. Letters were sent to the provinces calling At length, however, having denied the accuupon the bishops to spare no pains to prevent sation time after time, he fell on his knees betheir clergy from reading that pestilent paper, fore the promoter, and admitted his guilt, apthe Catholic Liberal. As a natural result, sev- pealing to the compassion which he trusted to eral priests gave up the journal; some, even, experience at his hands. who got it in a roundabout way, were denounced " Yes, I am in fault," he cried; "but do not to the bishops. Soon its supporters were en- be hard upon me." tirely confined to the laity. And he urged every consideration that his All this time the Episcopal bench endeavored fancy could suggest in the hope of softening his to call the attention of the Archbishop of Paris judge. to the serious and wide-spread evils resulting "You are so kind!" he exclaimed; which from its issue, was about the last feature in the character of Never were the French bishops in a more Ie Baraminos. critical position than at that time. Beyond all "My dear friend," replied the promoter, doubt, many of them would gladly have seen his "I there i.s no intention of destroying your prosHoliness divested of his tiara, and the efforts to pects. We do not meditate making a public sustain the temporalities expiring by slow de- inquiry into the affair; all will be conducted as cay. But, then, there was the consideration, quietly as possible. Go away for a few weeks, urged even by a declared enemy of the tempo- and every thing will come straight in the mean ral power, that the interests of the most respect- time. I will settle the affair myself." able of all the popes were identical with theirs, "A thousand thanks, sir," replied the priest; and that they were bound to support their then, in a low tone, to himself, "You've only brother bishop. got to flatter these fellows, and you're sure to Many of them had read the Catholic Liberal, gain your end." and done full justice to the delicate skill with It was Julio's turn next. which Julio had handled the most intricate and The promoter received him with the utmost difficult subjects. They felt that his duties as coldness. He had already begun to regret his a religious journalist were perfectly independ- too hasty compassion, and assumed his sternest ent of theirs, while, at the same time, they saw and severest aspect. that his periodical was designed to operate most "M. l'Abbe," he said, "your license is withbeneficially in smoothing down rancorous oppo- drawn. We were exceedingly unwilling to have sitions, clearing away mutual hostilities, and recourse to this measure, but we have been so realizing a calmer and healthier state of things besieged by letters from the various bishops, in the bosom of the Church. even from Rome itself-so full of complaints And yet it was absolutely essential that they about the enormity of your doctrines - that we should manage to remain united. Doubtless can not authorize your officiating any longer in they exaggerated the obligation, and were dis- the diocese. You will doubtless say that you posed to meet it with needlessly excessive con- have not handled in your journal any questions cessions; still, many considerations affected by of dogmatic theology. Very possibly; but at THE GRAND STAGE AND THE GRAND STRUGGLE. 221 this moment the bishops have marked out a black white, and in a few months I had to write course for themselves from which it will never a big ultramontane book: it was clumsily done; do to suffer the clergy to depart; and if there but what can you expect from a man working are some who do not share the opinions of the against his conscience and personal liberty. If majority, they are not the less resolved to main- people don't come to regard the Pope as sometain those opinions unassailed. There are oc- thing decidedly superior to Gabriel, after readcasions when silence is wisdom; and I am sor- ing my book, all I can say is, it isn't my fault. ry that, after the advice that has been given you I did my best for him. Moreover, the Catholic to this effect, you have failed to comprehend Atlas did its readers the favor to insert some that most important point. Meanwhile, under- elaborate extracts from my performance, with stand that you are no longer permitted to offi- remarks on the bliss the Church had expericiate in this diocese, so have the goodness to enced at seeing one of her stray flock return to put yourself in communication with your bish- the fold. It even went so far as to say that op. You are not interdicted, you are simply my happy restoration to the fold had affected treated as a stranger; the archbishop is not my style beneficially; that it was more proobliged to welcome every abbe who may take it found, more eloquent, and a lot besides; the in his head to come to Paris. Of course, you whole thing wound up with an ascription to the will consider that you have been harshly dealt Immaculate Virgin, who, according to the tenor with, but you owe it entirely to the attitude you of the article, had been good enough to rescue have taken in religious politics." me from the abyss. After this guarantee of There was clearly no answer to this harangue. my orthodoxy, how could I fail to get on well! So Julio made his bow and took his leave. I have a little church at Fontenay-aux-Roses. Crossing the antechamber, he met a priest It is a competency, and brings with it the proswho had come to see the promoter. He was a pect of farther advancement." former curate of Dalbade, at T —-, and had " Surely the bread it gives you is bitter, isn't left the town for Paris in 1848, full of republic- it? Better break stones upon the road." an opinions. Arrived there, he established a "Pleasant advice; only I fear my hands review, called the Reformer, the principles of would get blistered. I have had great comwhich were intensely radical. The periodical punctions, I acknowledge: there have been times made some little noise; and a short passage, in when I have even despised myself. But what which the editor saluted the red flag in the could you expect; I don't profess to be a marname of Catholicism, had all but led to very tyr." serious results. "Good-by, M. le Cure; I pity you most sinHe stopped Julio for a moment's conversa- cerely;" and Julio left the palace. tion while he was waiting for his audience with The next day a paragraph appeared in the the promoter. He had read some numbers of Catholic Atlas to the following effect: the Catholic Liberal. "We learn, from a thoroughly reliable source, "I am a predecessor of yours," he said, "in that ecclesiastical authority has at length withthe task of religious journalism, but you are drawn from the Abbe Julio de la Claviere, editmore in advance of your day than I was. Ah! or of the Catholic Liberal, his license to officiate what insults I have had! and I fancy you won't in the diocese. It is asserted that the paper meet with a much fairer experience. Iave you will cease to be issued at a very early date." never known what it is to be hunted like a wild M. de Leich went with all speed to Julio on beast?" reading this paragraph. "Pretty well," said Julio. "Stay," he said, in a tone of excitement, " Then, my dear abbe, give up that wretched " this is too outrageous. You have done nothwork; you'll end by having every one against ing to deserve punishment; your license is withyou - even your friends, if they are not over drawn, but you are not interdicted. You are brave." just where this iniquitous sentence found you, "I have on my side conscience, truth, the es- as innocent as ever in the eyes of your friends. teem of good men, and the respect even of my Continue among us. You will occupy a priestenemies." hood as dignified as that from which you have " I quite believe you; but that's a precious been expelled. The press is now the great ralsmall set of defenders. There was a time when lying-point among men; in old times it was the I deluded myself, as you are doing, with those banquet and the love-feast. The farther we Utopian consolations. I fought desperately advance, the more real sharing there is among against the Jesuits and Ultramontanes; but brethren of that daily food which you and your when, in the end, I found myself deserted, even class provide; so.that yours is a sacramental by men who had backed me up-left alone, ab- work, and you in that work are the true priest. solutely alone -I saw it was hopeless to carry Stay, then, at your new post; and since the on the war any longer." tendency of the day is toward a grievous mate"What did you do then?" rialism, it is well that there should be apostles "Submitted at once. They treated me kind- left of simple faith and earnest love, ready to ly; but I had to swallow many a bitter pill at recall, with a powerful pen, the Christianity of their hands, and to chant a complete recanta- the past, so far as it was glorious, holy, and true, tion. They made me call white black, and and to ally it with what kindred elements shine 222 UNDER THE BAN. out in the piety of the present. Should you against constituted authority. The desperate give up journalism at this crisis, you would spirit of absolutism has conquered in its strugbreak the chain of those brave anticipatory gle with me. So much the better: truth can measures which for the last fifteen years have not be disseminated on the earth except by the been preparing to rescue the clergy from the breaking of the potter's vessel in which the satrammels of mysticism, and bring them out into cred perfume is contained. Their triumph, howlight and day. You can not be certain that a ever, will redound to their disgrace; their unman will be forthcoming ten years hence ready righteous acts will be recorded in coming history to take up your weary task. Were I to see you to their eternal shame. Not a murmur shall giving way now, you would remind me almost pass my lips against my cruel persecutors; I am of a soldier deserting his flag." at their mercy, like a bale of goods tossed from "You may be right, my dear friend," replied one wharf to another; like a beast of burden, Julio. "You see some dawning rays of the whose load may be changed from time to time, coming light. I have long been convinced of but who is always under the yoke; like a slave, the reality of this daily communion through the whose only variety of experience is to pass from press, this daily interchange of ideas from one one master to another. Such examples are necend of the world to the other, through the means essary in the interest of the future race. We of a flying sheet like ours. It is, indeed, a com- suffer for those yet to come. Liberty will return fort to me to have met with you at this moment one day to the Church she has left; till then, I of happy anticipation of things yet to be, in the bow submissively, and, driven out from Paris, midst of struggles, and wranglings, and bitter seek a shelter elsewhere. God will never leave animosities in which so much invaluable energy me. His designs will yet receive their full acis expended. But I feel that my task is done. complishment. Possibly, in some way, I shall I have been like a midnight sentinel, watching be instrumental to the diffusion of truth, the for a few hours for the coming light. Those knowledge of which is destined hereafter to whom God has set over me decline my farther spread even in the most benighted spiritual desservice, and I recognize in their decision the erts." voice of the Most High. Though my journal M. de Leich forebore to press the matter farwill cease, my book will remain, and I shall be ther. However, he undertook to write to one able to take with me into my quiet solitude the of the vicar-generals of T —, an old friend of consciousness that I have left behind me a repu- his, on Julio's behalf, asking him to manage his tation unstained by a single act of rebellion quiet return from Paris to the Pyrenees. THE HOLOCAUST. 223 PART VIII. THE HOLOCAUST. CHAPTER I. turbance that his published opinions have created at Rome and in all the dioceses, fiankly, I EPISCOPAL DIPLOMACY. should be glad if he would go and hang himself. M. DF LEICH wrote to the authorities at If he comes back here, we shall have squabbles T- to request the restoration of Julio to his again, and squabbles I hate. I want to live at old diocese. A week after he received a most peace in my diocese." gracious letter, intimating that monseigneur had "Your will is law, monseigneur. What anappointed his protege cure of Melles, a parish in swer shall I give to M. de Leich?" the mountains near St. B6at. All that M. Julio "M. de Leich ought never to have made had to do was to repair to T-; he would find such a request." the necessary authorization at the secretary's of- "What is your highness's decision?" fice, and might take possession of his new charge "It's a most annoying case." without delay. I quite agree with you, monseigneur; but-" Neither Julio nor M. de Leich had the faint- "But-but! positively I don't know what to est suspicion of what had passed between the do." archiepiscopal staffs at Paris and, T — during "It seems to me, monseigneur, that you that week. would be quite safe if you had a letter from the At the first request from the vicar-general, Archbishop of Paris recommending his return." the friend of M. de Leich, to appoint Julio to a "Ah! to be sure, that would be a wise prepost in the diocese, the archbishop was all but caution; we'll write, then." in a violent rage. And the archbishop dictated the following "I recall to my diocese that brainless fellow letter: who has been the plague of my life already! Don't suppose it for a moment. No, a thousand "M. LE PROaIOTEU J, —W he h ave just had an times no. Just imagine how the case would application from M. l'Abbe Julio de la Claviere, stand. After having been driven out of Paris, formerly cure of St.Aventin, to be permitted to could he expect. to find a protector in me? return to this diocese. As he has been residing What would they say at Rome, where the Jesu- at Paris for some time, we can not possibly reits, who never know how to set bounds to their ceive him here without a recommendation from animosities, have blackened him a great deal your archbishop. Of course you are well acmore than he deserves, I admit, though he has quainted with his antecedents, and the extent many faults. He never would submit to his su-to which he has involved himself in ceaseless periors, or consult them before acting; so much antagonism to ecclesiastical authority. He apthe worse for him now, if he has to take the peals to us as his ordinary, a relationship which consequences." we are sorrowfully compelled to acknowledge.' I am not at all prepared to defend M. Julio Your answer will decide the course we shall to your highness. I don't sympathize with his take. Receive, etc. Signed, opinions in the least; on the contrary, I think This application threw the archiepiscopal as you do, that he is an addle-pated fellow. He council at Paris into great confusion. It was is one of those dreamers whom I look upon as a serious business to refuse Julio his letters tesvery dangerous at a time when the priests, if tinial. Tobegin ith, it was practicallyprotimonial. To begin with, it was practically proleft unrestrained, would implicate themselves in hibiting him from resuming his ecclesiastical a host of irregularities, to the great injury of the functions in his old diocese, and it was also givChurch; so I'm no protector of these independ- ing him a pretext for remaining in Paris, even ent gentlemen, whom the bishops invariably find without a license. On the other hand, to give it necessary to keep down in every possible way. it was to stultify the recent withdrawal of that But that is not the question at issue. IHe makes license. At the same time, the man must be this application solely as belonging to the dio- got rid of at any price. The Jesuits, after havcese of T —. He declares that he only quit- ing everlastingly urged them to put him under ted it on the understanding conveyed by your episcopal censure, had at length succeeded. highness in a solemn promise that he would be There they felt they must stop, and hence their welcomed back whenever he might feel disposed desire to see the last of him. to return." to return." So the promoter replied as follows: "Oh yes, of course," said the archbishop. "I said that at the moment, in order to get rid of "MONSEIGNEUR,-We have it in our power him more easily. Now, however, after the dis- to furnish you with the recommendation you 224 UNDER THE BAN. ask in the case of M. l'Abbe Julio de la Claviere, His residence in Paris had not in the least a priest of your diocese, who has remained here unhinged him for country life, with all its simsome time. Nothing has come to our knowl- pie tastes, nor yet destroyed his tender sympaedge in the least degree discreditable to his thy for the poor, nor unfitted him for gentle moral character. Receive, etc. ministrations at the bed of sickness. The St. "DE BARAMINOS, V.G., Promoter." Aventin people often asked after their old pastor, whom they always called the priest who had Julio, receiving this certificate of honorable been the people's friend. A touching picture conduct, like a servant paid and sent off, is a of true ministerial relationship, doubtless that singular scene in this singular story. which dwelt in Rousseau's mind when he said "There," said the promoter, as he put his that, in his judgment, the happiest earthly life letter in an envelope, "that will do." was that of a village curd. "It's short," said the archbishop who pre- Julio at once betook himself to his new dusided, "but it's safe. After all, we have done ties. He called on the Cure of St. Beat and the the Abbd Julio a service in sending him from neighboring clergy; nor did he leave unvisited Paris. Perhaps, in some quiet mountain parish, the humblest cottage in his parish, treating its where he will doubtless be placed, his indefati- tenant with that complete respect which told gable enemies will lose sight of him, if not en- him that he, too, had his rank and weight in tirely forget him." the great Christian family. "The Jesuits never forget," said one of the Among the papers which have assisted the members of the council. compilation of this story is a letter from Julio to M. de Leich shortly after his arrival. We + --— *~ —- give it below: " Melles, near St. Beat. CHAPTER II. "Do you think I have forgotten you, dear PARIS, PARI. M. de Leich-you to whom we owe the quiet peace of our solitary but quiet home? What IT cost the brother and sister acute suffering an unbounded joy it has been to see our beto leave Paris. Indeed, Louise was so thor- loved mountains again! They are always glooughly identified with Julio's particular tastes rious, and always refreshing to us, poor victims and favorite occupations, that she regretted of merciless oppression. The air here is so pure deeply his abandonment of a task for which he that our physical energies, which had been unseemed to be so thoroughly adapted. It re- dermined (mine by close study, and Louise's by quired all the prospective charms of nature, in the incessant torrent of anonymous notes, which, its mountain glory, combined with the strong since our arrival here, I find she used to receive attractive influence of the land of their birth, to almost every day, as well as by a host of other reconcile them to the coming change. anxieties), are now reviving. I hope we shall "Paris! Paris!" they would often say to soon pick up our strength, and that I shall reone another, in their new home. A simple ex- cover health sufficient for ministerial work. clamation enough, but significant by embodying Thank God for so mercifully sending us here! their keen regrets. Thank you, dearest friend, for having been the Let it be added, for the information of those instrument of his loving-kindness. who are interested in the fortunes of our exiles, "While, however, we are out of the way of that Melles, where we now find them, is a love- our persecutors, in a quiet solitude, we can't ly spot, like St. Aventin, in the grandeur of its help feeling the pains of exile. We had surscenery, but enjoying a milder temperature, in- rounded ourselves with a new world. I was asmuch as its elevation is lower; nor is it so absorbed with my newspaper effort to unite the near the glaciers. priesthood with modern society. That was a The presbytery was large and convenient. different ministry, unconfined by the limits of a Louise had a lofty bedroom, with a southern as- parish, even of a town or province, but spreadpect, and a small adjoining dressing-room, not ing its influence in every region where our comunlike her old haunt in the Rue Barouilliere. mon language is spoken. Then there was a beautiful garden, full of every "It cost me much to give up this glorious description of fruit-tree, trellises, bee-hives with task. But I thought it right and well for a a little straw roofing over them, the whole pre- priest to obey; and when I was told to seek senting an almost aristocratic residence. More- ministerial employment elsewhere, I concluded over, the living of Melles, though it was not one that I was summoned by God from the field of of the livings of the canton, was considered, discussion and controversy to another work. from its importance in point of population and "But this was not lightly realized, or my revenue, one of the best of the mountain prefer- resolve easily taken. I find it hard to name ments. So Julio had fallen on his feet. We the name of Paris without visible emotion. I may add, too, that the remembrance of his gen- thought I was a fixture there; one among the tie and blameless pastoral career at St. Aventin many upright, though often differing, thinkers was sufficiently recent and vivid to have cre- who compose the great school of intellectual acated a most favorable impression respecting him tivity and progress at work in its midst. These in the valley of St. Beat. all, in their invariable search after truth, I re THE HOLOCAUST. 225 joiced to greet as brothers; while, on the other in his capacity of humble village cure, he had hand, I received a cordial welcome-not the less identified himself with the condition and feelcordial because I abstained from rendering con- ings of the simple rustic, as the far-seeing prophtroversy bitter and abusive. et of the future, he was anticipating, with rest"There were some who resented this, and less anxiety, the grave issues of the coming called me an apostate, because I had protested time. It could not but strike him that a strange against their rancorous animosities, and love of spirit of infatuation had come over the minds cursing and burning. I desired to see free wor- of those high in authority in the Church, and shipers of the Most High. Their fondness was obscured their view of the true interests of Cafor a faith enforced by police regulations. I tholicism, causing them to enter on a path of longed to see the Church exalted by the exhibi- utter delusion, destined to issue, before long, in tion of tenderness and love. They would fain the entire episcopacy accepting as a dogma the have her terrible in her relentless pursuit of the theory of the temporal sovereignty. unbeliever to the edge of a miserable grave. Julio felt a warm admiration for the characMy desire was to educate the Christian into ter of Pius IX. During his brief stay with Fagradual and successive developments in the ther Villeta he had heard several touching and Christian faith; theirs appeared to be to con- interesting stories of the private life of the gencentrate his gaze on medieval darkness, and to tle and blameless pontiff: He knew how rare train up to a firm embrace of an unaltered and had been the instances of men of such spotless unalterable system of superstition. individual reputation occupying that exalted "No wonder they hated me, and, being the seat. He knew, too, how earnest and singlestrong against the weak, compelled me to sub- minded had been his endeavors to effect reforms mit. It was a case of inequality of forces; I at the commencement of his reign, and he did was the one to go to the wall-truth and all. not blame the man whose drawback was due "And now it is over. Consummatum est. rather to want of courage than want of heart. You will treasure up the memory of the mar- He remembered his remarkable announcement tyr's dying cry; you will bear witness to my ag- in full consistory that he would not raise the ony while the sacrifice was going on. question of his temporal sovereignty to the level "'Ah! Paris! Paris! beautiful Paris! the of a dogma-an announcement which, as it carnew Rome of the West, the empress of the ried with it all the force of a final decision, supworld; subduing, not by dint of soldiers' steel, pressed, for a time, the raging excitement. Only but by the mightier weapon of human thought! for a time, however; the agitation soon returnFair home of intellect, I bid thee grateful adieu, ed, and the ruling of the Pope was got rid of through this letter which none but a friend will by the ingenious subtlety, that if the doctrine read, grateful for that thou didst receive me in of the temporal power was not a dogma, it was my weakness and obscurity, as though I had a truth for all that, which it was heresy to deny: been the most powerful and illustrious of thy miserable evasions, which the honest spirit of sons. I shall ever cherish for thee a filial rev- Julio indignantly repudiated. Blushing for erence. In the ebbings and flowings of time Catholicism, and for the Church that had proand circumstance-in days when the tumult of duced men like St. Bernard, St. Francis de the moment is bearing away on its bosom men Sales, Bossuet, and Fenelon-grieving over the and things, and substituting new orders in rapid degradation to which she had been reduced by succession-in such vehement heaving, as of the the follies of ultramontanism, he thought he huge billows of the ocean, individual names are should like to take up the question on paper, soon forgotten. Yet I ask of thee one boon, with a view to bringing it out as it presented itthe only one I would seek to pilfer from those self to his private thoughts. who have worked as earnestly in the cause of Tracing the subject from the origin of Christruth as I have - let me cheer myself in my tianity, he proved, incontestably, that the theory latest hours with the thought that of those who of an earthly royalty had no place in the writhave grasped my hand, among your sons and ings of our Lord and his apostles. This point daughters, there may be a few who will recall he corroborated by quoting ecclesiastical writers me as a humble pioneer in the march of liberty. from the earliest ages to the Council of Nice, "And you, my dear friend, do not forsake or challenging any to show that this doctrine forget the exile. It will be some comfort to could, either directly or indirectly, be inferred read the simple word Paris at the top of a let- from their pages, and asking how it had hapter. You will help me to remember the city I pened that a view ignored by the founders of love so well. the Church, and unknown in the Church in the "Good-by. JULIO." day of her prime, could ever have been foisted into the Christian faith. + -— ~~ —-Thence he went on to show that the appropriation of Rome and the States of the Church CHAPTER III. was designed originally, not for the foundation JULIO'S BOOK ON THE TEMPORAL POWER. of a sovereignty, but as a source of ecclesiastical revenue for a numerous priesthood; though, IT was useless for Julio to seek retirement; by a most illogical evasion, the structure of that his genius was not to be suppressed. While, anomalous power had been erected upon it; reP 226 UNDER THE BAN. marking, that so little had Charlemagne set up stituted authority did but add weight to its arthe Pope as King of Rome, that his successor, guments and increase its influence. Louis le Ddbonnaire, rated his Holiness soundly The tumult and rage against him knew no for executing a man in the Eternal City with- bounds; cries of malice, hatred, and scorn reout his permission. sounded on every side; denunciations the most Selecting an entire chapter of a book of Fen- inveterate and implacable flashed along the elecelon's, entitled The Authority of the Sovereign tric wires from one end of France to the other. Pontif- unfortunately very little known and Bishops received letters from every direction; read-he proceeded to trace the history of the laymen in the Gallic Church assembled in counpapal sovereignty, showing how those whose cil; their president issued manifestoes, full of ambition had been to wear a crown like other rather heavy verbiage, but pointed enough to kings, and sway as veritable a sceptre, were men convey the essence of his views to such prelates of most questionable private character, while as he hoped to win over. The Ultramontane the best of the popes had been invariably found bishops labored at persuading their more sensiamong the number of those who paid allegiance ble brethren to join in an official condemnation to king or emperor, reigning themselves as spir- of Julio's book. Anxious to avoid giving maitual sovereins. terial for farther fights, though equally resolved It will easily be understood that a disposition against ceding their power in the presence of a so refined and benevolent as Julio's would ef- rising faction, they gave way to pressure from all fectually guard his work against any violence sides, some of them admitting that the proscribed of language; only he expounded the oath taken author had been imprudent, while others were by the sovereign pontiffs to suffer no interfer- bold enough to credit him with the best intenence with their dominions as connected with a tions. Thus the most furious animosities were custom which had obtained among many of revived again, and a scheme of fresh persecution them, of alienating a large portion of the papal projected and matured. territory for the purpose of converting it into petty principalities, under the government, and for the maintenance of young persons very near- CHAPTER IV. ly related to them. He upset the great objection that the temporal TIE THUNDERCLAP. power was indispensable for the due exercise of THE feelings of keen regret which our hero the spiritual, alleged by the Ultramontanes, as and heroine experienced on leaving Paris did evident from the fact that the severe condemna- not soon depart. Weeks after they had been tion of the Jesuits had been brought about by settled at Melles, Julio's sorrowful yearnings external pressure. after his old home remained as active as ever. He argued that this historical incident proved When they were at St. Aventin, the attachment that the temporal sovereignty was not strong of Louise to Verdelon had crept up as a cold enough to support and protect the spiritual, even shadow between brother and sister; she was first against the simple outside pressure of a diplo- in the world to Julio, he only second to her. matic note. Hence it was credited with a pow- Love is so utterly intolerant of a rival near the er it did not really possess; the independence throne-so unbounded in its demands on the of the Church being derived from its divine ori- whole thoughts and faculties of the soul, that gin, and not from such material props as the Louise's presence in the presbytery at that time fancied rights of the tiara might supply. was scarcely less a pain than a pleasure to her Finally, approaching the question of the act- disappointed brother. Now, however, cured of ual position of the pontificate in the presence of that unhappy attachment, she lived only for him, the yearnings of the nation after a united Italy, devoted to his tastes and studies; each was the he showed the greatness of the loss to Catholi- other's self; each shared the other's thoughts. cism from its obstinate refusal to make common She, conscious that it was now her turn to atone cause with the national party-a terrible mis- for the regrets she had previously caused him, take, attended by most deplorable results, espe- put forth her most winning arts to cheer his decially in a religious point of view. spondency. The pure mountain air had won" If, in the short space of fifty years," he add- derfully revived her; her cheeks, that had been ed, in conclusion, "Italy were overrun with in- so long pale and emaciated, were now glowing fidelity, I could only attribute this melancholy with the roses of health. She was, in fact, more state of things to the distressing misrule of Pius beautiful than ever. All her cheerfulness had IX. and the Roman court, and their grievous er- come back. She was younger than she had been ror in attempting to repress that sentiment of in her whole life, and the joyous change delightexalted patriotism which reigns throughout the ed her. She knew her presence there made entire peninsula. God grant, in mercy, that in sunshine round her brother; so she went and the issues I predict I may prove a false prophet!" came, chanting the simple national melodies that M. de Leich superintended the editing of his Julio loved, and which pleasant voices had sung book in Paris, and communicated to him the long days ago by the cradle of their infancy. lively dissatisfaction which its appearance had One would have supposed, in short, that they caused to the Ultramontane party. Its calm- had both returned to childhood's days, and were ness of tone and respectful attitude toward con- commencing life all over again. THE HOLOCAUST. 227 Julio soon forgot his sufferings. So that At first he almost repulsed her, but so sudden Louise was there, all was there; so that on re- was the movement that she scarcely noticed it; turning from his parish work he found her wait- then, pressing his lips to her forehead, he left ing for him, with her radiant smile, he had all the house. She watched him as he passed away he asked. Each day as it arose dispersed his in the distance, wondering at his strange unrest, rising anxieties with reference to her health; and paining herself with curious questions as to each day strengthened the happy confidence what it was that he had so evidently concealed that the treasure of his life would yet be spared from her, till a sudden fit of coughing arrested to him. her musings; she put her handkerchief to her Thus passed nearly two months in purest and mouth, and, on removing it, found it steeped in happiest enjoyment. Louise assured her broth- blood. er that she was gaining strength daily in the joy- "Ah!" she said, "this is the first return of ous spring weather, and her appearance confirm- this dangerous symptom for many weeks. Mered her words. Yet a strange cloud had gath- ciful God, shouldst Thou be pleased to take my ered over their heads. And if the reader will life, who would be left to comfort Julio?" look into Julio's room, where he is sitting with And her tears flowed abundantly. his papers round him, or if he will follow Louise, As for Julio, he spent the whole day in the who has just run up to tap at the door, and re- mountains, returning at night composed and ceived for answer, "I will come down directly,calm. Louise, in spite of her anxious scrutiny, dear," he, more fortunate than the young lady failed to detect any trace of the anguish he had herself should he get a peep inside, would see gone through; while he, for his part, was utterthe poor fellow at his table, with his head upon ly ignorant of the fatal symptom that had ochis hands, while large scalding tears are chan- curred in his absence. Thus they suffered alone. neling their way down his cheeks; another mo- Their spirits were estranged by a mutual secrecy. ment, and he is on his knees, calling on God, Happiness had left the presbytery. and this is his piteous cry: Julio wrote the whole night by way of relief, " O God, my God, behold my anguish. Where- and what he wrote revealed the secret of his infore hast Thou given me this bitter cup? Is it curable distress. not a dream-a terrible dream? How can I "To tranquillize my spirits, I have wearied tell Louise? Tell her! I can not-I will not; out my bodily frame; but even if I have suclet me leave her in happy ignorance. I am the ceeded sufficiently to return home with enough minister of the Crucified One; it is well that I, cheerfulness to conceal from Louise the fact too, should bear my cross." that I am almost broken-hearted, I have not atAnd then a quiet prayer, and then a holy tained sufficient mastery over myself to be able calm, and then a cheerful smile, as, composed to arrange my thoughts in clear, consecutive and refreshed, he seeks his sister. order. "I am obliged to go to Argut to-day, dear. "Perhaps I shall be more successful if I set Perhaps I shall not return till late, so you mustn't to work to write them down. wait for me." "This morning I rose with a spirit overflow"My dear Julio, you must let me come and ing with joy. I threw open my window, and, meet you. You know that's one of my greatest as the fresh mountain breeze, flower-laden, fantreats. Besides, you'll be bringing me back a ned my cheek, I felt an indescribable sensation collection of mountain flowers, and I shall want of gratitude, and longed to glorify His name to see it as soon as I can." who has done so much for me. It was one of " I'll bring the nosegay, dearest; but I shall those moments when the heart is full to burstnot be home till long after sunset. Remember ing of love, life, and hope. No sorrowful thought how chill the evening air is, and think of your could have found a resting-place within me. chest." True, my musings turned upon my enemies; "Nonsense, you dear old boy. Nothing hurts but I could only pity them, and thank God, me now." who had kept me free from all feelings of ha"You are mistaken, Louise; you had a long tred. coughing fit this morning. Please do as I ask "In this serene and happy spirit I went to you, dear." my little church; Louise had furnished the al"Well, I suppose I must, you darling tyrant, tar with freshest and most fragrant flowers, as you're so anxious about my health. All the among which the early summer gale was wansame, it's in capital condition. Julio, dearest, dering, while the golden sunshine glorified the do you know I often think how good God has many-colored leaves. I commenced the solemn been to us in making me strong again. Our service with greater joy than I have ever known beloved Paris, where we lived so happily in the since I became a priest-even in those earlier joy of our golden dreams, was a treacherous days of ministry when faith and love are in all friend to me, I fear. You can't imagine what I the vigor of their youth. suffered there. But here I feel all my physical "On returning to the presbytery, however, I force reviving. Our enemies have taken our heard Louise's dry, hacking cough. I felt an worldly wealth, Julio, but we have been spared indescribable pang as I listened to the terrible to each other;" and, passing her arm round him, sound, and my sweet morning happiness vanshe rested her beautiful head on his shoulder. ished like a dream. 228 UNDER THE BAN. "The attack lasted indeed only for a very announced that he was a ruined man-that his short time. Louise herself proposed a long walk banker had absconded with all his money. in the mountain; but I refused, fearing to fa- "The sight of Madame de la Claviere's portigue her, and said I wanted to devote the morn- trait recalled all these painful memories of the ing to arranging our family papers. I even past. I continued to examine the case, and joked as I told her that I meant to drav up the found some pages, written in my father's hand La Claviere' tree,' and that for this purpose I -fatal pages, which, doubtless, his sudden death should have to disturb the dust of those pre- had prevented him from destroying. They concious parchments which our ancestors had been tained the secret which he meant to have buried so good as to leave to us. Louise laughed at with him in the tomb, but which, by this fearful the aristocratic turn affairs had taken, exclaim- accident of my discovering them, had risen up ing, as I left her in the drawing-room arranging to ruin the entire happiness of my life. her mountain flowers, that, in her judgment, "For these fragments were addressed to no those blossoms were worth all the flowers of one. They were written like the pages I am heraldry, or the leaves and ornaments of royal writing now, in a solitary season of deepest and and ducal crowns. most unutterable emotion, when the heart feels "I went up stairs, and, having shut myself in as though it must relieve itself of its oppressive my own room, opened the identical box which load. They contained agonizing reflections, bitTournichon had given us, and which was in- ter regrets of golden dreams dispelled forever. scribed'family papers.' While I was hunting There were some half-effaced words upon them through its contents, I found a little case at the -words half effaced by tears, and mine flowed bottom-locked. Having hunted through the down to the spot where the all but worn-out chest for the key without success, I was on the stain was visible. point of calling Louise, when-why, I know not "This woman, whom my father so passion-I retraced my steps. The contents of that ately loved-whom he had surrounded with evcase were unknown, and there is always some- ery earthly blessing she had ever known, had thing mysterious in that thought; so much so never been thoroughly his; and Louise was not that I felt my hand tremble as I examined the his child, though born years after his marriage lock, to see how I could open it without doing with her mother. She was delicate in the exany damage. treme as an infant; and my father, full of an " The lock had been very carefully made. unutterable dread of losing her, centred on her However, I managed to effect my purpose by his warmest love. slipping back the bolt, and the first object that "After her birth her mother's health declined met my eye in the inside was a picture of my visibly. Her melancholy increased every day. father's second wife-Louise's mother. It was She seemed to be sinking under some heavy very like Louise; indeed, it might almost have sorrow. been taken for her. I kissed it, under the in- " In her last hour she confessed the whole, fluence of the double sentiment of brotherly love imploring my father's promise not to spurn her and respect for the memory of the dead. child from his feet. He yielded, but the happi" There she was, thoughtful and sorrowful as ness of his life was gone forever. And then I ever. How often I used to romp in her room, learned from that terrible paper that Louise was round Louise's cradle, while she, wiping away not my sister." furtive tears, would say to herself,'Dear boy! one day he will protect my child.' I remember my father's passionate love for the new infant. Perhaps I should have been a little jealous had CHAPTER V. I not been as devoted to her myself, even in those early days. THE IIEST AND MA.''Then came a change. Madame dela Cla- "lNOTHING that I have ever suffered at all xire, died when Louise was seven years old. cmes u o p to my present anguish. When Louise My father became morose, reserved, and rest- disappeared from St. Aventin, terrible as my disless, and seemed as though he could scarcely tress was, I kept up under the influence of the bear to see his once darling child. However, hope of recovering her. When the doors of we attributed the sudden caprice to his sorrow the Inquisition cell closed upon me, I bade an for the dead, as well as to a painful disease eternal adieu-oh, so bitter-to the outside which was laying violent hold upon him. By world; but I raised my voice to the orphan's a strange fancy, meanwhile, his affection for me Father, and sought his help. I looked upon seemed to increase every day. the death which I thought to be at hand not as " He died, leaving his orphan children to the a terrible shade, but as an angel of deliverance, care of their aunt. Some time before this he and was at rest as I thought of a better and a had sustained successive losses to a considerable brighter land. Then I could analyze my feelextent. However, this was set down as the re- ings day by day with the nicest exactitude, trasult of incapacity for business proceeding from cing every pain and its source, and measuring his morbid condition. He had placed all his its acuteness; but now I know not how or what available cash in a Paris bank. A few months I am suffering. after this he set out for Paris, and on his return "Sometimes I think my mind is giving way; THE HOLOCAUST. 229 but no, that is not the case. I am only wretch- while I pass the day in roving up and down ed-utterly wretched. Louise is not my sister among the mountains. I return home to a si-ample explanation of all. Those fatal words lent dinner, and, the hurried meal over, shut in that manuscript of my father's have carved myself up in my room to correct the second edithemselves into my soul. A thousand strange tion of my book on the Temporal Power. convictions have risen up within me. It seems "This is most glorious weather: earth and as though all the love I had borne her since her air are full of light, and life, and sound, and birth had vanished. Then, in its place, comes fragrance. Yesterday I found a bird's nest. another love, intoxicating my soul with delight. My step had been so light that the mother had I am almost overcome with ecstasy at the not heard it, and, as I moved away a branch thought that she is not my sister-that she may very gently, I saw her with her wings spread be my wife, when back comes the cruel fact, out over her young, stretching forward her pretdashing the cup from my lips-wretched priest, ty feathered head, and calling on her mate to you may not marry. bring some food. Soon I saw him hop on to a "But why seek to embody delirious thoughts? twig hard by, with a whole provision store in Nothing is altered in our way of living. But his beak, while the happy mother shook her my heart is changed; what once was brotherly wings and uttered a sweet sound of joy. attachment is now a lover's passion. All her "And thus Thou teachest me, 0 my God! thousand endearing ways deepen the infatua- through all creation, the holy happiness of famtion, till at length, when she wiped my fore- ily love, while at the same time there are those head with her handkerchief, as I came in ex- who assume to be wiser than Thyself, and to hausted from mountain visits, I almost thrust declare that the priest, set apart for Thy servher from me. Indeed, so evident was the move- ice, should be expelled from participating in it. ment on my part that she seemed deeply hurt. "And yet I have loved this priestly life. I "No. She isn't my sister, nor can I dis- thought I was made for it. I knew there were guise from myself that a terrible crisis has oc- reforms needed in the Church. I felt that encurred in the history of my life. She has shown forced celibacy ought to be abolished, inasmuch me myself. as many young priests bind themselves by its How little I thought what a sacrifice I was obligations without calculating the step they making when I gave myself up to the priest- are taking. hood! How little I understood the iniquity of "Still, as I said to Loubere in our last conthe celibate vow! Afterward when, as the car- versation, if I were called upon to-morrow to dinal's secretary, the whole correspondence of choose for or against the ministry, I would at the diocese came before me, I saw and heard once and forever assume its holy functions. what convinced me that to bind himself to a The priest is the one man appointed to teach solitary life was a sin in man. Yet I saw many what is right. The magistrate —the priest of in the priesthood whose lives I knew to be blame- civil life-waits for the commission of crime and less, and I felt that ideal perfection was within avenges it. We anticipate and prevent it by my reach. Subsequent experience, indeed, con- showing a more excellent way. So our office vinced me more and more how hard it was to is illustrious indeed. The magistrates say,'You realize that ideal, though I did not repent that have sinned, and we punish you in the name of I had by my free choice proposed it to myself the law.' The priest says,'You have sinned; as the object of my life. go and sin no more; I forgive you in the name "The safeguard I leant upon was twofold- of God.' my devotion to scientific pursuits and my love "Yes, it is a glorious work to say to the for my sister. I thought that the intellectual brethren, love one another, for that is the law life could easily overcome the natural, while of Christ; to the guilty, though society repudiate Louise was at my side to absorb the affection you, I can not, I dare not. The Good Shepof my heart. This love was my rock. I leant herd is ready to carry the lamb in His arms. upon it and rejoiced in my security. But the From highest heaven the Father looks down, rock is sinking, and I am struggling with the and stretches out His hands to the returning breakers." prodigal. " Oh, why are such holy ministerial joys embittered by such aching thoughts! CHAPTER VI. "Louise is beginning to show signs of anxTHE PRIEST AND MAN-(continued.) iety as to my altered manner. That thorough "ANOTHER week, and still I am as far as familiarity of affection, once so refreshing to us ever from tranquillizing my spirit. I have ex- both, is become to me now a terrible trial. erted myself to the utmost to hide my agitation "This last fortnight I have passed through from Louise, but with poor success. How the severest sufferings that it is possible to exstrange I must appear to her! how utterly at perience. What wild projects have I not cona loss she must be to account for my singular ceived! what wild resolves have I not taken! manner! Once I could not bear her a moment now resolving to fly from her, and bury myself out of my sight; now I am forever inventing and my soul-consuming attachment in a monpretexts for leaving her in the presbytery alone, astery; again, reaching the conviction that rash 230 UNDER THE BAN. vows to man are not binding before God, and tion of this assembly. A long and violent letpurposing, accordingly, to carry off my beloved ter, elaborated by a cabal connected with the Louise, no longer my sister, into some far-off Catholic Atlas, under the presidency of a former land, where I might make her my wife. Twen- editor, was addressed to the Bishop of, ty love-letters to that effect have I written and a prelate of well-known ultramontane tendendestroyed. cies, and a personal enemy of Julio's. At last "And then, a struggle as to whether or not it seemed probable that the Archbishop of she should know the whole, ending with the T- would lay aside his previous hesitation, conviction that it would be more manly and and that the opponent of the theories of Rome more brave in me to suffer alone. Possibly, would be condemned to perpetual silence. were she told the truth, she would cease to love The council was opened on the morning of me. How I envy her her present peaceful af- the 5th of May by a miscellaneous procession fections! Why should I not drive out of my from the cathedral, which made a general cirmind the memory of that fatal discovery, and cuit through the principal streets of the town. assert to my own heart, in dogged opposition to After the cross and banner came the brothers all this fever of disquietude, she is but your sis- of the Church schools, seminarists of the upper ter after all. and lower seminary, missionary priests, monks * * * * * of the various orders in the province, town'To pacify my spirit, I have doubled and cures, canons of the cathedrals, theological stutrebled my work. Instead of avoiding Louise's dents of Pamiers, Carcassonne, and other places, presence, I have secured her aid in my re- the suffragan bishops of the province, with crosssearches after materials for a new work on the es, and mitres, and gold copes, the whole windphilosophy of Christianity. I can not do with- ing up with the most reverend president. out her. I want her constantly to help me, as The Archbishop of T- delivered the preshe used to do at Paris. Her intelligence is a liminary address in the presence of the rank wonderful assistance; besides, she has a re- and fashion of Limoux and the small surroundmarkable facility for the kind of employment I ing towns. There were reserved seats for the give her. authorities, while on an elevated dais, conse"I have attributed my oddity of manner to crated to their use, the ladies spread out their physical sufferings which I wished to conceal ample robes of many-colored silks, expanded from her. We have resumed our old walks with enormous crinolines. There was a stall and talks. A common observer would say that for the Prefect of Aude, which would have been no change had passed over us at all; but I feel equally allotted to his service had he been a it, and so does she; and there ever seems to be Protestant or a Jew. A similar attention was creeping up between us a hideous phantom, paid to the general commanding; the president pushing her away and grinning at my anguish. of the Assize Court was treated with equal Oh, for the peace and the healthfulness of our courtesy (though, for any thing the heads of brotherly and sisterly love! oh, for the repose the council knew, the military personage might they have carried away in their everlasting have been'an infidel; the judicial, a disciple of flight! Proudhon or Renan, or brother of Vanhergen) * * * * * in an assembly, according to the decree of "Yesterday I was horribly selfish. I alluded which, whoever did not believe in the Immacuto Verdelon-a name we had silently resolved late Conception was a heretic of the first magnever to mention in each other's presence. nitude. Louise turned red and white alternately: evi- Who, then, it might be asked, comprised the dently she still loves him; and how should it earnest Catholics in that assembly? be otherwise! Even when disappointed affec- Of course there were the clergy, and probably tion is in a measure healed, the wound leaves the various church servants, such as beadles, scars behind. sacristans, organists, choristers, etc., etc. Then "I went out to visit a sick person, and, on there were the vestrymen, a few old men, a few my return, found her with her eyes very red. old women, and, moreover, young ones, and She had been weeping in my absence. Could these were all. any condition be more wretched than mine? The rest of the gathering consisted of ladies As a brother, I might have inquired into her an- and gentlemen of fashion, inquisitive, indifferguish, and sought to console her; but now such ent, unbelieving, skeptical, yet perfectly wellunrestricted sympathy of sorrow and joy was behaved, and going through the various cereforbidden forever. I was her brother no on- monial requirements with admirable patience. ger." The burdensome eloquence of the president -— ~*-~ — expended itself in a long and wearisome adCHAPTER VII. dress, the one blissful topic of which was the renewal of the face of the earth by the Council of THE COUNCIL OF LIMOUX. Limoux. Nothing was omitted from this wonAPRIL, 1862, was drawing to a close when derful effusion; certainly not the immortal Pius the Provincial Council of Gascony was appoint- IX. and his still more immortal pontificate, nor ed to be held at Limoux. Julio, as belonging the proclamation of the Immaculate Conception, to the T- diocese, was within the jurisdic- nor yet the anguish of the heavily afflicted pon THE HOLOCAUST. 231 tiff. Room was also found for a fair amount of "A new Arnaud de Bresse is ravaging the anathemas against the Revolution, which, in the south like a beast of prey, and seeking to deelegant phraseology of the allocution, had been stroy human souls by his pestilential teaching." vomited out of the mouth of hell, while a corner (Several voices: "Damnation to the heretic!") was kept clear for the accommodation of the "This destroyer of the faith, this enemy of the coming triumphs of the regal papacy, under the Church and the throne of St. Peter, against rule of Mary the Immaculate, the sole execu- which, for several years past, he has been hurltioner of heretics of every grade, without a sin- ing perpetual blasphemies, is a priest in the diogle exception, throughout the world. cese of T-, and bears the hated name Julio The next day the business of the council was de la Claviere. Like all heretics that ever have arranged at a special sitting. The promoter been or ever will be, he assumes the appearance administered to the canons, theologians, and of an angel of light. The modesty of his decanonists present the oath of secrecy with refer- meanor is undeniable, as much so the gentleence to any thing the bishops might say; also ness of his language, and his affected devotedof secrecy on whatever matter might weakenness to the true interests of the Church. By the respect due to the council or to those who this fair but false assumption of probity, genercomposed it. osity, pious fervor, and attachment to the papaThen the presidents, vice-presidents, secreta- cy, and the Pope individually, for whom, inries, and theologians of the different congrega- deed, he declares he has a peculiarly warm retions were named in succession. The sittings gard-by this outside show of Catholic spirit he for reading the decrees were next agreed upon, has insnared pious souls, deceived the weak, as well as the general assemblies at which the and seduced the ignorant to their exceeding discussions were to take place. peril." (General cries of "Damnation to the These preliminaries once over, the labors of heretic, damnation again and again." "He the council commenced, and were diligently ought to be summarily dealt with by the counprosecuted. The sixth general council, under cil.") the presidency of the Archbishop ofT-, took "But the deadliest injuries he has wrought place on the 10th, at four P.M., in the presence in the Church have resulted from his writings. of the suffragan bishops, the deputations from Some time since he was guilty of positive forthe various chapters, and the theological stu- gery by putting forth a certain publication as dents. The most reverend president having re- proceeding from a late cardinal, while it was peated the prayer Adsuzmus, one of the secreta- clearly the product of his own imagination, and ries present read the minutes of the last meet- teemed with blasphemies against the Church. ing. Two decrees were next approved, one pro- It is notorious that this disgraceful pamphlet scribing liberal journals in general, and the Cy- was most largely read at T —, that its author cle, Coq National, and Feuille in particular, as was praised by the skeptic and the infidel, and convicted of unsoundness on the famous "pow- described as a writer of conspicuous merit." er" question, and of too great a fancy for the (A voice: "Let the council curse him.") Italian Revolution; the other prohibiting whirl- "Nor is this all. He has disgraced the puling dances, such as polkas, mazurkas, etc., etc., pit by the publication of errors, to the great as being inexpedient and objectionable. scandal of the faithful, and the openly-avowed These two edicts had been most carefully pre- delight of the enemies of the Church. pared by the committee "de bonis moribus," "In the States of the Church he went so far the old men composing it being decidedly of as to imitate the worst foes of religious comopinion that all the miseries of the nineteenth munities by breaking into a convent, and carrycentury were due to the waltz, or rather to the ing off an inmate from the cloister-a crime devil who invented it. which the Holy Inquisition avenged, but with Then the right reverend president of the such laxity of vigilance over the prisoners that committee on matters of doctrine prayed speech he found no difficulty in escaping from a punwith the most reverend president of the council, ishment which, had he had any remnant within and held forth as follows: him of the faith he professed, he would have "Most illustrious and most reverend fathers done well to have accepted in humble peniand very dear brethren, I cordially concur in tence. Since that time he has been a daily these two decrees directed against certain vices contributor to the newspapers, through which in the Church, and designed to exterminate he has promulgated every conceivable heresy them. In issuing them you have manifested a condemned by the authority of the most holy profound acquaintance with the evils of modern pontiffs Gregory XVI. and Pius IX. society-evils which expose the real character " Finally, he has filled up the measure of his of its pretended civilization. But I make bold iniquities by issuing an elaborate work against to say there is a greater scandal than these-a the temporal power, ignoring the constitution scandal that comes nearer home to ourselves- of the sovereign pontiffs, in which it is set forth a scandal which forbearance -I might almost that the Pope has been intrusted with the two call it culpable-at all events, very much to be swords; that all power having been given to regretted forbearance is at this moment tolera- Christ, all power has, by consequence, been ting in our midst; need I say that I speak of transferred to his representative on earth." heresy." (Profound sensation.) (Numerous cries: "Curses on the heretic!") 232 UNDER THE BAN. "Yes, indeed, most reverend and most illus- more deeply than this. Deferring most revertrious fathers and very dear brethren, cursed ently as we do to the holy chair of St. Peter, be the priest who has disgraced his holy office and to the most venerable institution of the paby devising a shameful calumny against an pacy, it would ill become us to arrogate to ourarchbishop, a prince of the Church. selves functions intrusted solely to the sacred " Cursed be the priest who has preached congregation of the Index. falsehood in the pulpit of truth! "In fact, we should expose ourselves to the " Cursed be the priest who has broken into imputation of presuming to set an example to the sacred seclusion of the convent, protected the papal court; while a condemnation issued by the authority of councils and the papal con- by us assembled here would be an encroachstitution! ment on rights-held, I am aware, at one time "Cursed be the priest who has corrupted the by the bishops collectively, but transferred by souls of the faithful by the -pestilential tenets of them to the safer keeping of the successors of modern journalism! Let him be accursed in St. Peter, in order that all possible power might company with Dathan and Abiram, with Uzziah be concentrated in the pontifical hands. who profaned the ark, with Judas the traitor, "However becoming may be your indignant and with other heretics, whom the Church has protest against those doctrines, the evil of which anathematized in times past. has been so ably demonstrated by the right rev"Cursed be the priest who has attacked that erend president of the doctrinal committee, I temporal power of the Pope which alone can can not help thinking that we should manifest secure the due exercise of his spiritual func- greater respect to Rome were we to leave it to tions! the congregation of the Index to proscribe the' Cursed be the priest who dares to teach the heresies, while, at the same time, the condemPope and bench of bishops, and to pretend that nation would be more generally known through he knows better than they what is best for the the Catholic world. Moreover, our conduct Church! would undoubtedly, on general grounds, be more " Cursed be the insolent upstart! the heretic! prudent and wise. Rome is gentleness itself in the sacrilegious desecrator! the innovator! the her dealing with offenses and offenders. She journalist! the author of scandalous publica- delights to leave it in the power of voluntary or tions! almost involuntary transgressors to return of "Cursed be he, whosoever he may be, who their own accord into the paths of truth. She shall approve of the doctrines of Julio de la is satisfied with a simple submission to her Claviire! at this present, cure of Melles, in the decrees, and avoids pushing to extremes those diocese of T-." who, in many cases, have been unconsciously And stepping into the middle of the room, estranged from the faith. and taking a copy of the Gospels in his hands, "The Abbe Julio may be ranged among cerhe added, tain fanciful dreamers who, in their search after " Our choice this day is between Christ and truth, have fallen into dangerous error. MeanJulio who has put him to shame. As for me, while, his disposition is as amiable as his morals I separate from Julio. I anathematize him; I are unimpeachable; nor has he manifested the curse him to the uttermost, and cleave to Christ." slightest obstinacy toward constituted authority. (Shouts from all parts of the council chamber, After the publication of the famous pamphlet, "We cleave to Christ! Curses on Julio, the purporting to be an embodiment of the dying traitor! the apostate!") words of my illustrious predecessor, he gave me This harangue, conceived in the exaggerated an assurance, in writing, of his complete subvehemence of medieval phraseology, created an mission to the ecclesiastical tribunals in that intense excitement among those who were pres- matter, and thus arrested the scandal which ent, and changed the grave and orderly gather- that silly book threatened to create. This docing into an assembly of violent desperadoes. ument I would have submitted to your equitaMeanwhile the Archbishop of T- threw a ble and charitable judgment had I imagined for little cold water on the raging fire of indigna- a moment that a matter which I think of little tion. He was not fond of the Bishop of —-, importance-and I ought to be an authority on who bore the reputation of being the most en- the subject, seeing that it concerns myselfthusiastic ultramontanist in France. Moreover, could possibly have been brought into such proma sentence in the recent discourse had been lev- inence among you." (Loud cries of "Hear, eled at himself, to his very considerable dis- hear!" from all parts of the room.) pleasure. So he rose at once to reply to the "I see, most illustrious fathers and very dear wholesale cursing of the previous speaker: brethren, that what I have already said has "Most illustrious and most reverend fathers placed this affair in a sufficiently satisfactory and very dear brethren, were we only invited to light to make it unnecessary for me to dilate anathematize the imprudent and ill-considered upon it any farther. But there is one considteaching of M. l'Abbe Julio, I should be among eration which I am bound to urge upon you, at the first to join the protest; nor, since the priest a time when insubordination is the order of the referred to belongs to my diocese, should I have day, and that is, the importance of guarding left the task of denouncing him to one of my against any proceedings calculated to drive imsuffragans. But the question involved goes far petuous natures to revolt against the Church. THE HOLOCAUST. 233 "It would be well for us to remember the her, her large eyes shone with unnatural brillessons of history, and diligently to apply them. liancy, her cheeks were deadly pale, except There have been men who would have faithful- where a hectic flush glowed in the centre. I ly served the holy cause to which we ourselves seized her hand, and found it was burning with are devoted had they been judiciously dealt heat. with, but who, by the severity of the measures "'You are feverish,' I said. meted out to them, have been estranged from "'Yes, for the first time in the day,' was her our midst, and urged into violent opposition. reply. "I demand, therefore, that the proposed an- "'Then you have often been feverish at athemas be withdrawn, and that we leave it to night?' the sacred congregation of the Index to deal "'For the last fortnight, slightly.' with the Abbe Julio de la Claviere as, in its "'Oh, Louise,' I exclaimed, bitterly distressjudgment, it may deem fittest and best." ed,'you have been ill all this time, and never The tact of this address is very evident. told me!' The archbishop rescued Julio by referring his "'Didn't you notice it, dear?' case to a higher tribunal. He set down the fu- "'How could I, dearest?' rious bishop, and read all present a salutary les- "' I saw you look wretched, Julio; your son on moderation, when an opposite spirit was eyes were often fixed upon me in a strange, exhibiting such injurious effects. At the same weird sort of way. When I have gone up to time, he had in his mind his parting interview you, and tried to take your hand, and press it with Loubire, the remembrance of which re- over my heart to still its passionate beatings, mained with him day and night. Over and you have tried to get away from me; and I fanover again would he lie tossing on his bed un- cied it was because you wanted to hide your der a horrible nightmare, shuddering at the ter- tears. I have read my sentence in your agirible abbe, who would appear to him in his mor- tated face, Julio. I know I am going to die. bid dreams dressed in a blouse, holding a pistol Am I not?' to his head, and hissing out the stern, calm "So saying, she threw herself into my arms, words, "Touch Julio, and you are a dead and we wept together. man."' No, dearest Louise,' I said,' you shall not The suggestions of the archbishop were ac- die. God will never separate the brother and cepted by the majority present, and inserted in sister.' the minutes; whereupon the business of the "But the excitement had been too much for sitting terminated, and the president concluded her-she was obliged to go up stairs. with the customary prayer. "I followed her, and knelt by her bed, taking her hand in mine, and trying to calm her agitao --— ~ —- tion. I assured her that my distress and altered manner had in no way arisen from her illCHAPTER VIII. ness; that it was merely the result of a depression of spirits, very common among men who, in A DARK CLOUD,. the fag of literary work, have failed to express "AT length my rebellious heart is quieted, their pent-up thoughts to their own satisfaction. but at how terrible a cost! In the depths of My book on the temporal power, I reminded my anguish and struggle against an evil which her, had been no easy task; and now that it a moment's quiet reflection might have enabled was over, I was suffering from reaction. I had me more correctly to estimate, I little suspected made vigorous efforts to overcome it, and hence the grave that was yawning at my feet, and my constant absence from home. threatening to swallow up Louise and all my "'But why didn't you tell me all this?' she earthly happiness. How could I dare to mur- asked.' Why did you suffer alone? If I had mur at my lot, and abandon myself to a gloomy not understood you too well, do you know I madness and sinful rebellion against God, or should have thought, more than once, that your presume to be unhappy as long as she was affection for me was diminishing?' spared? My God, pardon and spare me. Thou' Oh, Louise, Louise, you never could have canst prolong her life; Thou canst take her imagined that! it would, indeed, have been a hand, as of old the hand of the daughter of Jai- cruel wrong.' rus was taken, and bid her arise. But do I de- "She looked at me with an angel's smile. serve such favor at Thy hands? Father, for- "'No,' she said, slowly,'I never doubted give my sinfulness; like Jesus in Gethsemane, you; only you had got to be a very queer old I would say,' If it be possible, remove this cup boy, and I could not make you out.'" from me.' * * * * * "Her terrible cough has returned. During "I have had to call Dr. D. Alas! he gives the three weeks that I was forever absenting me no hope. I knew that she was doomed; myself from home, I did not notice its reappear- but to have my worst convictions confirmed auance. Yesterday, however, when we were sit- thoritatively is terrible. There is always a vesting at our literary work, an attack of it came tige of hope at the bottom of the soul till scion. Her handkerchief, which she put to her ence comes —calm, cold, and inexorable-and mouth, was dyed with blood. As I looked at crushes it out. A month, perhaps a fortnight, 234 UNDER THE BAN. ard I am to lose her-so the physician told me called me away from her continually. Lord this morning; yet I remained quiet. I even Jesus, my agony has been added to Thine. I summoned courage to go into her room with a have followed Thee to Calvary, and poured out smile upon my face, and a look of satisfaction. my weepings there. The mournful wailings of After all, he was bound to tell me the truth; the prophets, the veiled shrines, the extinguishand, decided as he was with me, he was gentle- ed tapers, the Church in her robes of sable-I ness itself with her.'In the state in which she felt the sublime poetry of these touching solemis,' he said,'it would be dangerous in the ex- nities as I never felt it before. But the Resurtreme to tell her her danger. She is suffering rection Day, with its reviving glories, brought not only fiom disease of the chest and lungs, me no joy. The songs of triumph and jubilant but her heart is affected as well, so that I can allelujahs were on my lips, but my heart gave not reckon on her case with any certainty, as forth only the voice of anguish:'My God, my sudden emotion might carry her off at a mo- God, why hast Thou forsaken me? my soul is ment's notice. There is no doubt that her con- exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.' stitution is hopelessly injured, but her mind is * * * * * suffering as well. Indeed, I should have sue- "Louise wished to join the Easter communceeded in cheering her up if it had not been ion, and she asked me with a look that watched for that. But this other affection is so alarm- curiously for my reply, as well as for the expresing and so unaccountable, and imparts such sion that her request would call up on my face. strange fancies and delusions to those whom it I answered her with perfect naturalness of manmay seize, that it is most difficult to deal with Iner. them; indeed, as a rule, their nervous suscepti- "'The Easter services can be extended in bility is so acutely developed that every impres- the case of invalids.' sion is perilous. You must keep careful watch "'No, no,' she said,'I mustn't delay. As over your looks and manner. The least inad- soon as I can go out, I shall go to the church to vertent yielding to your feelings might prove thank God for having visited me here.' her instant death.' "Poor darling. She received the commun" I listened, motionless with dismay. My ion with simple, humble, holy trust. My God, blood froze in my veins; all I gathered was Thou knowest how I suffered! that, by doing violence to every emotion within * * * * * me, I might prolong her life for a little time. "May 1lt. I pressed the physician's hand, and promised "Before this month has expired I shall be obedience; hence my cheerful composure and alone, so the doctor tells me, and I feel that he sunny smile when I went into her room. Oh, is right. How much of these thirty-one days how my looks belied my feelings! However, I am I to spend with her? succeeded in deluding her; she smiled, in re- "I can not understand the feelings that were turn, a quiet, happy smile. We laughed to- aroused in me by the discovery that Louise was gether at our fears. She knew that I had been not my sister. Oh! if God were to preserve her as much alarmed as herself at the recent attack; life, how thankful I should be to cherish her with'but then,' she said,'the doctor had so thor- all a brother's guileless love. But this happioughly explained it. She only wanted a few ness has been taken from me. She is doomed days' rest. April weather was very uncertain; to die. but the merry month of May would be sure to * * * * bring her round again. And then! oh, then, "To-day she is much better; the pulsations Julio,' she added,'what glorious walks for us! of her heart have calmed down. Why not hope what delicious rambles and flower-gatherings on that her life might be respited a little longer? the mountains, under rocks, down in the val- I communicated my thoughts to the physician. leys, or by the cascades! for you sha'n't go out "' Would you know the truth?' he answered. alone any more, sir, I can tell you. And what' You would? Well, it's a question not of weeks, beautiful botanical collections we shall be able but of days-should a sudden crisis come, which to make, to replace those we might have formed I much dread-even hours.' while you were wandering over the world, like "I thought till now that we had succeeded in a knight-errant, in search of your sister. Julio, keeping her ignorant of her approaching death, dear, the month of May will do wonders for she seemed so calm. Though she did not form me.' any plans or arrangements, as consumptive pa"'Yes, darling, it will, indeed.' tients generally do, she still spoke of the future "And a voice within whispered to me,'Yes, as a certainty, never seeming to assume that her you will be gathering flowers-beautiful flowers days were numbered. Well, I was mistaken. — in the month of May, to blossom on her She had never been deceived for a moment. grave!' That morning I found her better than the even"And while it was whispering I was smiling; ing before. She had had such an excellent and when it had ceased I went smiling on. night, with a few hours of quiet sleep. In spite * * * * * of all that had been said to me, I could not help "She never left her room again. The dis- hoping she might yet live. She read my thoughts ease made rapid progress; her palpitations were in my face. incessant. The Holy Week and Easter services "'You fancy I'm better, dear?' THE HOLOCAUST. 235 "'Yes, darling; you're much better.' raised her tenderly, and she rested her head on "'I am free from pain for a time, and that's my bosom. a good deal to say; but there's no other change. "' It is sweet,' she said,' to die in your arms. Look the thing in the face, dear, and don't hope How could I have desired another love than against hope. Stop! here's that pain at my yours? In this last moment, I see plainly that heart back again.' you had my real heart; that other attachment "'Louise, dear, dear Louise, what are you was but an infatuation.' saying?' "Was it so that she had learned the secret "' I say,' she replied, in a hurried tone, and on the threshold of eternity? fixing her large eyes upon me,'that we ought "Had I asked her she could not have come not to try and deceive ourselves during the lit- back to tell me, for I was imprinting my passiontie time that I shall be spared to remain with ate kiss on the lips of the dead." you. It is yours, dear brother, to teach me how to prepare for death. We've had enough of mutual dissimulation, a trial for both of us; let us attempt it no longer. Oh, Julio,' she added, CHAPTER IX. bursting into tears,'I'm sorry to leave this happy T CARDINAL'S HAT life and the pleasant sunshine, the flowers, valleys, and mountains, the glorious world blossom- THE precautions taken by the council to preing around me, whose hidden beauties you have vent any of its measures transpiring proved futaught me to admire, but what is their loss com- tile. Oaths are easily taken, but not so easily pared with the loss of you? Who can tell what kept. A deliberative assembly, though it only trials may yet be in store for you? That book consist of two members, is in its very nature of yours, so full of Gospel teaching, and so tem- rash; it can't, somehow, help blabbing. pered with all its truthfulness by reverential love What occurred in connection with Julio at for a poor, tottering old man, will cost you dear. the council of Limoux created a great stir in the And I shall no longer be at your side to soothe religious world. Some thought that the archyour sufferings by sharing them with you.' bishop had acted very wisely; others, a bishop "Her voice grew husky. Her eyes shone or two among them, opined differently. more brilliantly than ever. The palpitations Meanwhile the preparations were complete became very violent. for the great episcopal manifestation of the 8th "'Do not cry, Julio,' she said, putting her of June, 1862. arms round my neck.'I have always thought Once before the UItramontanes had contrived that disembodied spirits return to those they to get the Catholic bishops to Rome, to be preslove, and linger near them. So I shall come ent at the proclamation of the dogma of the Imback to you, Julio, for you are the only one in maculate Conception. The episcopate, ignoring the world that I care for. And now think of its rights, signed its own downfall and proyour office. It's high time.' claimed papal omnipotence in thus countenanc"I understood her only too well.... She ing the promotion by the Pope of a controverted received from my trembling hands the last sac- opinion to the level of an article of faith. Never raments, and I summoned sufficient courage to had the worthy prelates been more skillfully utter the sublime invitation to one so tenderly hoodwinked since the earliest days of their episbeloved, copacy, all unprepared as they were, in their "' Sors de ce monde, ame Chr6tienne 1' simplicity, to recognize in the whole proceeding "The service over, she lay perfectly quiet for a trap for involving them in the establishment a time. not so much of the privileges of the Virgin as "'I am well-quite well,' she said, after a of the infallibility of the Pope. The measures pause.'Let me speak a little; it doesn't tire had been devised a long time by the Jesuits; me. We are waiting death together, Julio: it and while the Pope was at Gaeta, worried out will only separate us for a very short time. You of his life by the recent casualties, those nearest have suffered, and will suffer much yet; and this his person availed themselves adroitly of the ocprolonged agony will do its deadly work. You casion to suggest the expediency, at a time when will soon join me, dearest brother.' the temporal power was represented as tottering "She had a fearful night.'This pain,' she to the ground, of exalting the spiritual to the said, in a low voice,'is very trying for both of skies by the promulgation of an article of faith. us; but, at all events, we are not compelled to Pius IX., having compromised himself very disguise our sufferings from each other.' seriously with the Austrians and other friends 1 7th May. of the Ultramontane party by his attempts at "'Listen to me,' she exclaimed, after two liberal government, felt the necessity in which hours of very deep repose.'I want to speak to he was involved of giving some guarantee for you for a moment of him; you know whom I his return to the old system of absolutism. mean, though I never mention his name. He Hence his eager concurrence in the measure has done me grievous harm; but I forgive him. proposed, and the issue from Gaeta of an inviFor a long time I have not been able to imagine tation to the Catholic bishops to assist the Holy how it was I ever loved him so much.' See with their counsels on the subject. " Her breathing became more oppressive. I The bishops were amazed at the dispatch, 236 XUNDER THE BAN. imagining that the Pope had been occupying What transpired on December 8, 1864, was his leisure by reviewing this old theological not enough, by way of a surprise, to the Cathoquarrel. On consulting their cures, they found lie world, so the Ultramontane party determthem as ignorant as themselves of a question ined on repeating the experiment in 1862. The which had been shelved for ages past. The papacy, more domineering than ever, resolved worthy priests, however, had more than once to show that, whatever might have been the reoverheard old women repeat the accustomed sults of the revolution to the temporal power, formula, " Marie congue sans peche, priez pour the spiritual was as lively as ever. The bishnous qui avons recours a vous;" so they gave it ops were sent for once more, trooped in as obeout as their judgment that the parish verdict diently as before, brought the same beautiful was on the Virgin's side. wardrobes, graced a ceremony at which no less This was all Rome wanted. Not a single than forty thousand francs' worth of wax canbishop or vicar had detected the Jesuit plot. dies were burnt, and, without having pluck Meanwhile, the fathers themselves were occu- enough to meet in council, showed themselves pied with making most erudite researches. One as submissive as ever to the papacy, which they of the most illustrious of their body-illustrious were then supremely exalting over their own afterward for his separation-Father Passaglia, heads by signing a round-robin in the shape of proved, in two or three folio volumes, that the a political declaration that the temporal rule word "immaculate" occurred in all the French was indispensable — little dreaming, in their and Latin writers from the time of St. Jean Da- short-sightedness, that a day is at hand when, mascene. True, St. Paul had said that all were in order to be logical, they will have to proclaim born in sin; St. Augustine testified to a similar the opposite. effect; popes, even, in the Church's palmiest Not that Monseigneur Le Cricq troubled himdays, denounced the dogma about to be pro- self with any such profound reflections. The nounced. What of that? To contradict St. life of an archbishop, he reflected, was very Paul, to give St. Augustine the lie, to stultify short. What mattered it to him whether his the earlier teaching of St. Peter's chair, nothing successors preserved their rank and dignity, or simpler-a mere bagatelle, that, to the Jesuit whether popes were, or were not, omnipotent. mind. Who reads St. Paul, St. Augustine, or IHe must see about being cardinal at once, nevpapal sermons nowadays? It would take more er mind what happened after. than that to stop the sons of Loyola. The He had played his cards well. The council Pope, who hadn't time for books, agreed with of Limoux had created a considerable sensation them, the bishops agreed with the Pope, and the in the official world; nor was it from a mere Catholic world was immediately commanded to chance source that government received their agree with the bishops. report of the archbishop's conduct on that occaThis view of matters once established, the sion. Indeed, it was currently reported that Jesuit manceuvres prospered, through the efforts the most reverend himself was their informant; of the Univers, beyond the highest expectations. nor did he fail to impress them with a suitable Every bold priest who, after careful considera- idea of his high spiritual tolerance, moderation, tion of the doctrine, showed any anxiety to think and good sense. His skillful resistance of the farther about it before he believed it, was con- fanatical outbreak of the suffragan on that occademned at once to the most pitiless persecution. sion secured his triumph. His friend, the genTake the Abbd Laborde, for instance, a man of eral, made the most of his generous treatment blameless reputation, who eventually died of of the persecuted priest. The desired consent starvation in Paris, a martyr to his honest con- was obtained; a dispatch reached the happy victions. man to the effect-that he was appointed cardiThe Ultramontanes had prearranged all their nal. plans, and, as soon as the bishops were assem- This was much indeed, but it was not all; bled, addressed them in a long oration, the sub- there was Rome to win over yet. North of the stance of which was: mountains, where the wind was genial, pleasant, "Venerable fathers in God, you are not come and tolerant, monseigneur had to blow accordhere to aid the deliberation of the Pope as broth- ingly; south, where it set in from a totally oper bishops; you are present to act as his aco- posite quarter, monseigneur had to set in from lytes, and lend a finish to the display. The a totally opposite quarter too. Above all, he Pope will see about the doctrine; you have had to hate Gallicanism, that couldn't be done nothing to do with it." without- Gallicanism, the doctrine of Bossuet, The worthy fathers had provided themselves Fleury, La Luzerne, Affre, and many others with mitres blazing with precious stones, grand who have declined to believe in pontifical infalcarved silver-gilt crosses, and copes of cloth of libility. gold. They would not have missed, on any ac- Now Le Cricq troubled himself as much about count, showing off their finery under Michael Bossuet as he did about Bellarmin. All his Angelo's cupola. They were assisting at the care was to get hold of his hat. He was reproclamation of an article of faith; so they ceived most warmly at Rome. The French ought to be well dressed. embassador had applied for the new dignity in The episcopals of the twentieth century will his behalf, and the request had been at once make a note of this. granted. At the commencement of his visit he THE HOLOCAUST. 237 was here, there, and every where, calling in all I manifested by the French bishops during their directions, first on the general of the Jesuits, stay in Rome. secondly on the Pope's domestic prelates, third- "We have been especially struck, Holy Faly on all the cardinals and bishops conspicuous ther," he said, "by his highness, Monseigneur at Rome for their hostility to France, and their Le Cricq, archbishop of T —, who, with great inextinguishable ultramontanism. humility, solemnized a retreat at the Gesu. Things were progressing as smoothly as a Such devotion as he manifests for your Holimarriage bell, when who should arrive at Rome ness and the papal throne! He explained to but the discomfited suffragan of Limoux; not me that his motive in interfering with a propoafter a hat - he had no idea of that - but on a sition which had arisen at the council of Lilittle project of his own-the extinction of Gal- moux, to condemn the doctrine of the notorious licanism and civilization generally. Julio de la Claviere then and there, arose simThis dignitary, as obstinate as any mule or ply from a desire to reserve the right of judgmonk, and as bloody-minded as the most bigot- ment to the Congregation of the Index. At ed inquisitor, had an audience of the Pope, and the same time, he so worthily maintained his told him of the archbishop's doings at the coun- point that the council abandoned their project; cil, and of the way in which he had screened while he himself is at present denouncing the the enemy of the temporal power. He was fa- author and his writings to the cardinal prefect tally successful; there was a slip for Le Cricq of the Index, and preparing an interdict against between the cup and the lip. him." That most reverend and most illustrious per- A smile from the Pope assured the very revsonage, who had been basking in papal sun- erend general that he had gained his point. shine, was not a little astonished, on his second Two days afterward the Catholic Atlas convisit to the Vatican, to find that an east wind tained the following paragraph: had set in, with a total change in the weather. "Our news fiom Rome is full of interest. Domestic prelates, the cardinal minister, cardi- The sovereign pontiff continues to testify his nals of the Ultramontane section, became sud- high esteem for the French bishops; indeed, a denly reserved and frigid. telegraphic dispatch just received conveys the "An enemy hath done this," was his agree- intelligence that Monseigneur Le Cricq, archable soliloquy. "I must find out all about bishop of T —, has just been named a cardiit." nal. The Pope is desirous of rewarding in his His agent at Rome went to work most care- person the unbounded attachment to the Holy fully to procure information. He had some See manifested by the Gallican episcopacy. little difficulty at first, but eventually he sue- Gallicanism itself is extinguished utterly, and ceeded in bringing him the following news: Roman supremacy shines out as a realized fact. " Your friend has been the Bishop of --, There is but one chief shepherd, with faithful who has kindly acquainted the Pope that you servants round him, illustrating the glorious had absolutely defended, in full council, an ene- truth of Christian unity, and ceasing to exult my of the temporal power. The Pope made no in the questionable glory of independent and reply, but was evidently much annoyed. empty honors. "The same evening his Holiness observed to "From the same dispatch we gather that the Monsignor B., one of his most intimate domes- new cardinal is about to submit to the society tic prelates, of the Index the writings of M. Julio de la Cla. "'I was going to make a curious cardinal.'" viere, a character too well known to our readers It was as much as the archbishop could do to need description. to sustain his sinking spirits under this terrible "Previously to doing so, however, his emirevelation. nence notified to the heretical offender, who " What must I do, my dear abbe?" he ex- was a cure in his diocese, that he was formally claimed. interdicted. We can not speak too highly of "Do, monseigneur! let the storm pass over such pious zeal. The time has come when any you. Sham to be dead; allow yourself to be farther tolerance of men whose proceedings forgotten for a few days; disappear, in fact." scandalize the Church becomes positive com"A capital idea." And the holy man, giv- plicity in their guilt. The French episcopacy ing up his previous amusements, went to the is entering on a new path, of which this deGesu to engage in the spiritual exercises of St. cided measure is an encouraging indication. Ignatius. Heretics will at length understand that their "One of the best dodges I ever heard of," heresies will be visited and crushed out by the muttered the abbe; "an Italian couldn't have Church with merciless severity." done better." His eminence, Cardinal Le Cricq, left his The lucky retreat was a thorough success. It humble retreat at the Gesu to assume his red terminated on the 7th of June, the day before robe of office; then, crossing the Mediterrathe great solemnity. nean, he hurried home, and made a triumphal The next morning the General of the Jesuits entry into T —. called on the Pope to congratulate him on the His next step was to address a pompous manvarious glorious events that had transpired; ifesto to the clergy and faithful of his diocese. among other things, on the piety that had been After having worked for his new dignity during 238 UNDER THE BAN. three years of restless activity, he had the cool- pie was giving forth its brazen clamor; while ness to pen the following stereotyped phrases: maidens, young and fair, and robed in white, "M EY DEA BETEN rovidence,were gathering under their banners; while following out its impenetrable designs, has deign-schools, convents colleges societies of every ed to summon us to one of the highest dignities kind, reverend fathers of the august company of the Roman Church at a time when we were of Jesuits, their brows clothed with the pride engrossed with the discharge of the duties of success were swelling the conqueror's train, our humble astoate ao sa among you. We havetwo carriages, drawn by two strong horses, and spared no effort to decline an honor deserved driven by two mountaineers accustomed to ply between Luchon and Tarbes, took the road to by others so much more than by ourselves. St. B Our remonstrances were, however, in vain; so e r e e i e a i we are compelled to submit to the will of him lOnthe front seat of the first, under a kind of we are compelled to submit to the will o0 mim, who is, to us, the representative of God on leather hood, sat a man still young, but with a who is, to us, the representative of God on earth. grave, thoughtful countenance —his forehead,,T*.,1..,,,., -, -,' furrowed by suffering, his face pale and wan. "If, however, this illustrious trust, which we furrowed by suffering, his face pale and wan...'.'. \ *..'. * p i, c He was dressed in a light overcoat, and sought so little aspired to, is a favor of which we feel He was dressed in a light overcoat, and sought ourselves supremey, e cn n t shelter from the fierce sun-rays under the proourselves supremely unworthy, we can not the less accept the great obligations of gratitude to tecting covering. the Hoy Se which such a distinguished mark It was Julio, the victim of the curses of the the Holy See which such a distinguished mark the Hol*.y, Se council of Limoux —the poor priest who had of confidence must necessarily entail," etc., etc., f Jetc. ~? been interdicted by a sentence launched from Rome at the moment that the cardinal elect This affecting document threw the religious was meditating on death and judgment, heaven world of T — into a condition of ecstasy. and hell. "What profound modesty!" said the old ladies. Not a murmur had escaped him. The letter "What edifying humility; what unprecedented announcing the fact reached him at the moment indifference to worldly honors! The Pope was that he was about to celebrate mass. The evidently compelled to thrust the hat upon his church bell had sounded, as usual, and two or head." three old men, with a few pious women, were The world thought otherwise, as will appear assembled. Ever eager to obey, his first thought from the subjoined, and the world generally was to lay aside at once his sacred vestments. knows the rights of things: Fearful, however, of perplexing the little congregation, to whom his conduct would necessa" MY VXERY DEAR BRETHREN, —' The impenMY VY DEA BRETHREN,'.- rily appear strangely unaccountable-like his etrable designs of Providence,' which have dec- aster quitting Gethsemane for Calvary-he Master quitting Gethsemane for Calvary-he orated our head with a cardinal's hat, are Gen- ascended the altar-steps to offer for the last eral.... who has great influence at court.. eral...., who has great influence at court. time the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist with To please the French government, we played the sacrifice of his life. the Liberal; to please Rome, we played the the Liberal; to please Rome, we played the No tears fell on the book from which he read, Ultramontane. In return for such a troubleUltranmontane. In return for such a trouble- in solemn, earnest tones, the preparatory prayer. some task, it is but right and fitting that we Bve an self-possess, he offered himself to should accept the sixty thousand livres attached Go resembling one of those old warriors of God, resembling one of those old warriors of to our rank as cardinal and senator. Thermopyla, who stood where the pass was " Whereupon we give you our benediction S" Whereupon we give you our benediction!" narrowest, counting it all joy that their country A copy of the squib was inclosed to the car- should have their blood. dinal himself in a splendid envelope, with a fine Julio, too, was dying, adoring the purposes seal of red wax. It had been posted at Paris, of Providence in the cruel sentence which had to insure, with such a brilliant and imposing ap- struck him down, interceding fervently for the pearance, safe consignment to the hands of his ambitious prelate who had purchased the purple eminence. at so disgraceful a price; pleading for all his Such was the vengeance the world took on enemies in the Church, for the fanatical bigots the cowardly time-serving of Monseigneur Le who had hunted him down with insatiable reCricq. venge; praying, too, for the venerable pontiff elected to be the last to circle his brow with the diadem of the Caesars, instead of the less arroCHAPTER X. gant mitre of a bishop of Rome. Yet, his heart well-nigh broke, his voice falTIIE LAST BLOW. tered, the pain of unutterable anguish overpowWHILE the grand old capital of the south was ered his soul as he pronounced the touching ringing out a festive welcome to his eminence words wherein memory is preserved of those deon his return from Rome; while the whole pop- parted hence, and thought that among the grass ulation, in holiday dress, was thronging the and flowers blooming on the grave of Louise he promenades, public places, and thoroughfares, was never to kneel again. from the station to the centre of the town, in "0 my God!"-such was his prayer in the order to see the empurpled dignitary in the first few moments devoted by the service to that solblush of his triumph; while every parish stee- emn remembrance-" they deprive me of every THE HOLOCAUST. 239 thing, even of the sorrowful solace of lingering ably installed, one of his first acts being to write where she lies. Yet take Thou this heart, so to his old friends the bishop, M. de Leich, and bruised and broken, with the last prayer of Thy the noble-hearted Loubere. ministering servant never again to stand at Thy Unfortunately, M. de Leich was at that moaltar. Mine be Thy rest and peace, and glori- ment occupied with a rather strong desire to get ous meeting soon with her who is gone before!" on in the world. His reply savored of this amAnd again he was composed and tranquil, as bition, for the realization of which the aid of the though the angel of hope had returned to glad- new cardinal was very necessary. So its tone den him. His voice thrilled through the church was cold; its regrets over Julio's want ofjudgas he uttered the prayer of all prayers, and real- ment many and vehement; and its affectation ized that God was indeed his Father. With of patronizing interest at the close all but insufhim the paternoster was an infant's dying mur- ferable. mur breathed into a mother's ear-the song of "Deserted again," said Julio to himself. the swan-the sweetest and the last-the priest's The Bishop of A- was colder still; he last utterance ere his robe was stripped from his contented himself with advising Julio to bow to shoulders. his diocesan and implore his pity. Before daylight next morning, the villagers "Scirent si ignoscere manes," said Julio, sorbeing totally ignorant of his sorrowful depart- rowfully. The tone of the letter convinced him ure, he left for Tarbes. He had completed his that the only bishop who had had the courage traveling arrangements during the night, and to call him his friend was bidding him quiet set out forever from the last parish that was to farewell, with nothing to offer but empty pity. know him as a tender-hearted minister of the Not so Loubere: sanctuary and shepherd of the flock, purposing The av murdered you, my dear fellow," to seek an asylum in some secluded mountain e said; they have murdered ou! Were it village. The truly great are never utterly cast n t I f t p not that I feared the pain I might cause you' I down. When man has done his worst, there is don. hen man has done his worst, there is should have gone to my friend the cardinal, destill for their solace the repose of nature and s d still for their solace the repose of nature and manding an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a the peace otf G~od. ^tooth; and recalling to his recollection a certain promise he made me, from which I don't exactly see how he can possibly be absolved; CHAPTER XI. only I know it would break your heart to think that you had been the means of my executing THE RECLUSE OF TIIE VALLEY OF CAMPAN. righteous vengeance on that most unrighteous head. So you stay my arm; I am arrested by JULIO'S health, painfully shattered as it was,. JULIO'S X'1.~ r, X.,,, ) a consideration from your tender, conscientious had sustained a terrible shock from the death., d i *-r.,,. *,.,,, -.,p, compassion, and by that alone. But a day is of Louise. He had, indeed, nerved himself to co, d b t a. B a'..,...',?,, /. coming when I shall have to deal with him. It submit with dignity to the cruel sentence of coing when I shall hae to deal with him. It is right such cowardly poltroons should know banishment from his office, but the last farewell, I.... that there is justice on earth, as well as that to his sister's grave proved a trial so terrible t tere is uce on eath, e tht never recovered from its effects. m more terrible vengeance of heaven, the doom of that he never recovered from its effects. The,.that he The.rc r omii itef s The cowards and traitors, of unnatural miscreants physicians of Tarbes recommended his selecting who deal in their brothers' blood. some very sheltered and quiet valley, with a some very sheltered and quiet valley, with a " I shall attend to him in due course, and fasouthern aspect, as his future home, and im- southern aspect, as his future home, and im- vor him with a bit of my mind; but there is no plored him in every possible way to avoid excitement and agitation, which would render all hurry. e'lllee the good cardinal alone for medical skill abortive, a week or two, to admire his purple in peace. medical skill abortive. "Meanwhile, quitting him, let me implore Intimately acquainted with the entire negnm-, Intimately acquainted wih te e e - you, dear, dear friend, to take care of your inborhood of Luchon, he turned his steps now to- valuable health. ward the Hautes Pyrnees, a region where he "You will believe my heart-words of yearnhad never been before. After the dark, solemn, sympathy Whenever you want ravines in the centre of the chain, there spread, atever be your need, make but one sign, out before him, in s wh we sun and you'll find me at your side. All I am and valleys, the steep sides of which were clothed all I have is yours-yours u nreservedly to use with endless verdure. He was still in a mount- a s y ain land, but flowers and foliage softened the as you ourfriend LOUBERE. "Your friend, LOunERE." awe of its sublimity, while winter cold and summer heat were each subdued. Julio left the bishop's and magistrate's letters The Valley of Campan was the spot which he unanswered, declining their advice, and ignoring chose as his home. He was fortunate enough their presumptuous egotism. To them he was to light upon a little cottage about two kilome- under the ban, so he left them alone; but he tres from Campan, with a pleasant orchard poured out his whole heart to his faithful and round it, and a wide meadow behind, while at brave friend. the bottom of a meadow at the back dashed on " Give up all your schemes of vengeance the impetuous Gave. He took the house, and, against the cardinal, dear friend; he is no enewithin a week after he left Melles, was comfort- my of mine; he has been but an instrument in 240 UNDER THE BAN. the hands of a merciful Providence. You are however, was one of the most devoted worshipright in supposing that it would be an unutter- ers of the Catholic Atlas, and the most ardent able griefto me were you to visit him with a disciple of Ultramontanism to be found in the single reproach for his conduct in my case. He Pyrenees. To him a priest, honored with a would think that it was at my instigation that place in the Index, and proscribed for his writyou were taking a step which I should decline ings, was an agent of Lucifer-a creature who, as a Christian and as a man most anxious to in the good old times, would have been greeted maintain his personal dignity. with stake, and fagot, and flame. "It is your friendship for me that leads you Hence Julio's presence in the church Sunastray on this point: so generous a feeling, dear day after Sunday, notwithstanding that it was Loubere, ought not to instigate you to an un- so thoroughly unobtrusive, vexed his righteous generous action. soul. Had the man been punished for profli"And now that I have delivered myself of gacy he would have pitied and patronized him. this little lecture, let me thank you for your But as it was his creed that had ruined him, cheery, warm-hearted letter, the first and only he commenced at once to hate him with cordial one that has greeted me with solace in my lone- earnestness-to such an unlimited extent, that, ly home. I have read it, and shall read it again at the moment of the sprinkling of holy water, and again: let me have plenty more; this last when the congregation, and Julio among them, friendship left to me-this last soul-communion was prostrate before the altar, his reverent eyes with one like yourself, will cheer me in my ut- shot out glances of fiery indignation. Julio alter solitude. most thought once that he was going to send "A thousand thanks for your generous of- the sponge at his head. fers. I trust I shall never need that special kind In the pulpit he became decidedly personal. of aid; but it is not the less sweet, for all that, The enemies of God and the Pope, the wretched to know that there is one ready to offer me the priests who countenanced revolutions; and, on earnings of his daily toil. the other hand, the exemplary Catholics who "Adieu, dear friend. stuck up manfully and well for every imagina-' Ever yours, JULIO." ble and even unimaginable right of the chair of St. Peter-episcopal cyclicals and the grotto of The arrival of an interdicted priest was quite Lourdes-such were the themes of his discourse an event in the peaceful, secluded valley where -a convenient peg on which to hang disparaour hero had established himself. On the ging reference to one not specified by name, infollowing Sunday, as the mountaineers were deed, but simply as the accursed of the Council thronging the church path at the summons of of Limoux. the service bell, he passed through the various Meanwhile, as the excellent cure was somegroups to a seat at the end of the nave, close to what ambitious as well as fanatical, and desirous the holy-water stand. There, silent and devout, withal of a better living, he thought it wouldn't absorbed in his own meditations, he joined rev- be amiss if he aired his zeal a little in the preserently in the prayers of the celebrant, among ence of his superiors, and thus turned Julio's the lowliest of the faithful assembled to worship. affairs to profitable account. So he marched Rustics are not clever at fanaticism, and with off to Monseigneur of Tarbes, to whom he prothe exception of some five or six amiable repro- ceeded to introduce himself as a right valorous ductions of the old Mother Caprede, the entire defender of the faith, observing how heart-broken assembly bestowed looks of respectful sympathy he was at having a recalcitrant priest in his paron the gentle victim of priestly tyranny. ish-one who had dared, in fact, to object to He had intended at first to present himself at Rome. He was stricken to the dust, he rethe church in his soutane, to kneel at the foot marked, at the bare thought that the civil laws of the altar, and join in the service there. An permitted so flagrant a delinquent to insult the interdict is simply a prohibition from the exer- assemblies of the faithful by his most objectionacise of ministerial functions, without interfering ble presence; and declared that, should he take in the slightest with the privilege of participation the liberty of dying in the place without first rein the sacraments of the Church; nor is it any tracting in full all his grievous heresies, it would positive disgrace, except when it has been in- be his-M. Barnabe Capdeporc's-painful duty curred as a penalty for acts in themselves mor- to refuse him Christian burial. ally disgraceful. No reflection of such a char- On the occasion of the earliest clerical conferacter rested on Julio's blameless Christian life. ence at Bagneres-de-Bigorre, he enlarged fully He might have safely assisted the cure of Cam- and feelingly on this most distressing topic in pan at the Sunday mass, and, hindered though the presence of all the cures of the canton. By he was from officiating as priest, have served as some, who knew their man, the object of all this acolyte; nor would it have been other than a zeal was pretty soon detected, while other softsolace to him to have discharged the office of a headed bigots applauded it as praiseworthy in little child at a father's feet in handing him the the extreme. They were not radically bad, yet sacred elements. To such a duty he would joy- they managed, in some curious way or other, to fully have condescended, and with a man of a arrive at the conclusion that so unmitigated a different stamp from the cure of Campan might miscreant ought to be trampled under foot. easily have fulfilled it. M. Barnabe Capdeporc, Julio, all the time, submitted to their growing THE HOLOCAUST. 241 malevolence with his usual gentleness and com- in the days of Bossuet and Fenelon-the clergy posure. He had managed to hold his own in have persisted in the effort to seize the bull by the presence of episcopal and archiepiscopal the horns, and storm the enemy into submission. might, so he wasn't likely to give in before these' You ask for reason,' they say;'we will comlittle people. He knew that their malice arose pel you, without much ado, to swallow what we from perverted judgment, and not from any nat- choose to force upon you. You insist on the ural vindictiveness or spitefulness of disposition, onward march of intelligence, of toilsome invesAnd yet his spirit was sorely distressed at this tigation of scientific and other discoveries. We unbrotherly greeting from poor fellows like him- will anathematize this pseudo-civilization of self, trodden down under the hoof of despotism which you boast. We will bring back the days and Pharisaic tyranny. He had fought for when men shivered, in their ignorance, before them; and, could he but have received a hear- the almighty priest. We will proclaim alouding in the Church, he would have worked out through bishops in their charges, through curds their freedom. And yet, though he had thus in their sermons, through preachers in their imsought to be their true friend, his only reward, passioned harangues-that liberty is a curse; even from the most moderate, was the reputa- that there is but one claim-the claim of Godtion of a fool, while bigotry denounced him as expounded by the priest; so that women now, an enemy of Catholicism and fit subject for the and their sons by-and-by, shall credit what we Inquisition. declare, while we bring an obstinate race to its According to a general law, which decrees, as knees. If need be, we will ply you with all the a fact of experience, that the savior should be tricks and terrors of a day gone by; God shall the sufferer —the man who would bear away the be depicted to you as a God of terror, hell as miseries of others-the scape-goat in his ill-re- yawning to receive you. So will we force you warded effort. to submission, and wring out of you the cry, Thus passed August and September. Julio "Have compassion on us and help us."' occupied five or six hours of each day in writing, "This fierce design, worthy of the brain of intellectual exercise being the one supreme re- a delirious monk, has seduced an entire race of freshment of great minds. If it be true that priests. They have adopted, with feverish earnearliest efforts are always disappointing, how in- estness, their unnatural and impossible scheme tense, by contrast, the after joy, when the true for the world's conversion. Disciples of Christ idea that the thought conceived is expressed in as they profess to be, they have ignored His worthy words. That joy was his. words, and called down fire from heaven on a What he left behind him will recall to some sinful and stiff-necked generation. There they the best passages in the works of Lamennais- are, borne on by their wild enthusiasm, like more chaste and tender even than the writings Eastern fakirs, urging weak and superstitious of that master spirit. The one had loved and men to the very strangest excesses of mystisuffered; while with the other it had not been cism; imposing on them a ritual overburdened so, though his pages display, most undoubtedly, with meretricious ceremonies-the offspring of traces not only of a brilliant genius, but also of the long, weary night of medieval ignorance. a sensitive and affectionate spirit. "What, then, can be expected from such a What fragments we have found appear, from system and such a priesthood but what must their matter, and from the notes accompanying logically be inferred from the present position them, to have been intended by their author for of Catholicism? Either modern ideas must go insertion in a work which he had been anxious back and bow before this unreasoning rule, or to publish on the destinies of Christianity. We the clergy must advance and progress with them. give our readers a few of them-perhaps the last It is scarcely possible to see beyond the first he ever wrote. step in this terrible dilemma. "'Are we to recede?' the world will ask, in ~ --- * —-the pride of its discoveries, the activity of its daily struggles, the vision of a horizon beyond, CHAPTER XII. bright with glory and greatness;'are we to abandon the present and sacrifice the future, REMAINS. that we may return to days of ignorance and su"IN this silent retreat, where the world is perstition? Impossible! Better worth, a thoushut out, and I am alone with God, I have often sand times, what we hold in our hands. Bad meditated on the future destiny of the militant bargain indeed to make such a pitiful exChurch. change!' "Were I to judge by what I see, or argue for "' And are we to advance?' rejoin the priests; the coming time by the lamentable exhibition'advancement is fatal to our dreams of power, of the present, I should come to the conclusion our system of double rule? Cease your idle that Catholicism was rapidly nearing its de- request; we can not and will not grant it.' dine." Then comes the question,' Who is to give "Confronted, after the mighty agitations of way?' and the answer is,':Neither.' Is it askthe eighteenth century, by a people ready to defy ed whether the war will be interminable? No; the spirit of priestly tyranny-so opposed to that there will be an end and a victory. That that milder system which obtained such wide success victory will be over an entire epoch, the most Q 242 UNDER THE BAN. powerful in intellectual development that the plary, but you are not infallible. Christian world has known, is not very easy to believe. truth asserts that Christ is in the bosom of His " The only conclusion, therefore, is, that the Church, to guard her from the dominion of erpriests will be the victims. The day of out- ror-a sublime privilege which you have misinlandish pretensions, as set forth in its daily or- terpreted, and the rights of which you have argans, expired, a day of darkness and gloom will rogated to yourselves, being not the Church, but succeed. only a part of it. You have developed your " The clergy seem utterly incapable of per- theory in the Pope qua the Church, the bishops ceiving the void with which they are surround- qud the diocese, and the cure qua the confessioning themselves: a crowd of routine pietists fol- al, and you are going to be well punished for low them to their churches; children, led blind- your pains. The faster the world grows, the folded by a father's hand, lavish on them enthu- less it will require to be dandled in your arms. siastic worship-they ask nothing more; wom- Such infant treatment was all but unknown in en take them as their secret guides, revealing the first ages of Christianity, so it isn't wanted to them the recesses of their hearts. A few now. The Gospel is a law of liberty, and the men come and tell them that they are the light present state of things, in which the priest apof the world. With this varied testimony to pears as a mediator, with full powers, between their excellence, how can they be expected to God and man, would never have been brought believe that they are losing their hold upon the about but for the reaction consequent on the people, more especially at a time when there are barbarism which commenced, in the fifth cennot wanting isolated tokens of mighty influence, tury, to devastate the world. and powerful reciprocal interchanges with illus- "The farther civilization advances, the more trious potentates, who have enabled them to rapidly will this anomaly disappear. But will crush down the most determined opposition? the priest be wise in his generation, or will he "And yet this delusion will come to an end misinterpret the signs of this coming time, as one day. The child, become a man, will re- he is now misinterpreting or ignoring the presnounce his early credulity -ay, even the faith ent liberal movement-interpreting it as an inof his infancy, which only lodged in his head solent rebellion against God, a struggle between and never reached his heart. The woman who Christ and anti-Christ? gloried in the confessional and the most unre- "Many of us have thought for a long time served priestly dominion will find that a Church that it might be possible to educate the clergy can not go on without men, and be disconsolate into a wiser and happier mind; hence our efat the wholesale male desertion. And as soon forts through the press-alas! utter failures. as these facts have become palpable to the Meanwhile others will succeed us, with the same priest himself —as soon as freedom of thought hopes and dreams, to encounter the same obhas asserted its dominion and compelled recog- stacles. Long, long will it be before the priest nition, this hitherto impracticable mortal- of will understand his lesson. Till then, all efthe full opinion, at present, that to doubt him is forts to harmonize him with modern social life to sin against the Holy Ghost- will be driven will prove impotent. He will have to submit to submission, and raise a faint and faltering to the evidence of facts, to sacrifice, and selfcry of'We have made a mistake; the world denial. But no faction ever yet dismembered was not made for the priesthood, but the priest- itself or surrendered even its smallest fancied hood for the world.' On that day, if such a res- privilege without a vehement struggle. So we urrection to a better life is indeed possible, there wait for a sign; and when the fortress has been will be an arrest in the blind path to ruin. But stormed and taken, then will be the time for ere that morning dawn-ere popes, cardinals, constructing a new edifice out of the ruins of and bishops-the whole array, in short, of those the old. who call themselves, and make others call them, "But as to how this transition is to be efprinces - of priests accustomed to make their fected- whether it will crown a revolutionary flocks bow down to them as a right of their civil war, or be developed gradually, as by a office-ere these consent to become small, to be quiet social reform, God alone knows. But of humble apostles like the fishermen of Galilee, this we may be confident, meanwhile, that the lowly missionaries in the great future economy, mind of man will tear itself, inevitably, from living the quiet domestic life of Peter, or the the spider web of a dominant priesthood; that toiling life of Paul at Corinth, what struggles the clerical aristocracy will ere long be trampled and wrestlings must transpire! under foot;, that from that utter subjugation it "It is no easy thing for a large organized will never recover. While I write I see Evanbody to admit that it has been in great error, gel Truth rising from the overthrow, disencumeven in human affairs; how much more in re- bered of what once disfigured her form - gloriligious matters? It will be no light task for ous and immortal, the unperishable possession those who have claimed to be infallible to allow of the Church and the world. that they not only made the greatest mistake in "And all this in a speedily approaching golddoing so, but, under their assumed infallibility, en future." perpetrated a multitude of errors all but involving the ruin of the Church." No, my brother priests, you may be exem THE HOLOCAUST. 243 CHAPTER XIII. edge that the Church's sole prospect of greatness and glory lay in the total abandonment of LETTER FROM JULIO TO LOUnBERE. the secular element? They have been consist"Campan, 10th October, 1862. ent in their error-as consistent as I have been "DEAR FRIEND,-September has closed upon in never murmuring against them. Teaching me, leaving me wretchedly ill. I have a first- what I have taught, I was just fit for the Inrate doctor from Bagneres-de-Bigorre; he tries quisition. to deceive me with the belief that I am improv- "As for you, Loubere, you have come to ing, but I can see through all his vain attempts. blows with them. For this I never commendHe naturally enough treats me as he would any ed you, though I saw at once that an impetuous other patient, as, indeed, he ought to do, were spirit like yours was not likely to tolerate any it not for those mental attacks from which I am intolerant treatment. You must have conceived constantly suffering. I am often very weak. against them the bitterest animosity. But, at Four days ago I lay an entire afternoon on a present, I would have you forget these men alcouch in a dead faint, and I have been carried together, and turn your thoughts inward upon about as though I had no life left in me. How- yourself. I rely upon your sincerity and integever, I'm a little better now-strong enough, rity to return to God. Your spirit, dear friend, in fact, to write to you; now and then I have has scarcely been right. Self-examination will decided rallies, but I am in that state that I convince you of this. never know which letter will be my last. And sometimes think of me; most probably "Dear Loubere, you are my only friend in this will be the last letter you will ever receive this world-the only one I love to think of, as from me. I have made my will, and left direcI draw up to the golden gates of a better. I tions that all my papers should be faithfully am not afraid to die. I know I leave my great transmitted to you. I have bequeathed to you work in a most imperfect state; indeed, I can my books, furniture, and scientific collections. not say whether even the twentieth century will What you do not care to keep you may. as well see it any farther developed. Some one will deposit in some museum. My small property I be found to take it in hand when I am gone. have left to the poor-the priest's natural heirs, Progress is as much a law of religion as it is of when he has no needy relations to provide for. all life; the dead alone are motionless and still. I have forbidden a headstone to my grave. You In the earliest ages of Christianity a good priest will see that my wishes are complied with. once discovered and enunciated that truth. His "Adieu, Loubere. Ever yours, JULIO." name was Vincent de Lerins; but men have managed to forget the teacher and his teaching together. "So we shall have to go back to this doe- CHAPTER XIV. trine, and constitute it the watchword of a new THE HOSPICE OF BIGOoRE. theological school. A day will come when the flag of progress will be unfurled by priestly THE mournful presentiment which Julio had hands, and religious and social advancement be expressed in his letter to Loubere was justified held to be indissoluble. Indeed, the two must by the result. His disease made rapid progress. grasp each other by the hand, and march on to- He was often seized with fainting-fits. His gether. It won't do for the one to deny the ex- physician advised him, as soon as the snow apistence of the other any longer. peared on the mountains, to leave Campan, "Those truths, in which the Church's salva- where medical aid might not be always attaintion is involved, I have endeavored slightly to able in violent weather, and establish himself illustrate. You know that Rome has not un- at Bigorre. Julio understood the meaning of derstood my efforts; that she has even punish- the counsel, and acted upon it. Having comed me for them; that sbirri were down upon pleted his arrangements, he removed to the hosme. Yet my tears and sufferings will not have pice there. What was left of the immense wealth been for nothing. Others will take up the task of the La Claviire family was insufficient to deI have been compelled to abandon. Let but fray the expenses of a lodging; so, that he might one page of what I have written come under not injure the poor who were his heirs by touchthe eye of a candid, generous spirit, and he will ing the sum he had left to them, he resolved to yield to its arguments and enforce them himself, end his days in a poor-house. so that the long chain of witnesses will remain The good sisters gave a cordial welcome to unbroken. Meanwhile, it will be reserved for the illustrious sufferer. They set apart a warm, other ages to see the glorious day whose dawn- well-sheltered room for his accommodation, ing only has been revealed to us. looking toward the long valley of the Gave as "And I-I have been pronounced accursed it rolls along, and is lost to view at the foot of by the bishops of the day. How could it be the Pen de l'Hieris. Toward the end of Nootherwise? They can not imagine Catholicism vember the invalid felt a little better. He was except as propped up in the arms of secular able, indeed, on two or three occasions, to leave power. his room and walk in the corridor. "Now the slaves, now the tyrants of worldly One day, when he had prolonged his little rule, could they possibly be brought to acknowl- tour beyond the ordinary time, he found Sister 244 UNDER THE BAN. Theresa in his room on his return, a nurse who give my useless, insignificant life for a noble exhad been specially appointed to wait upon him. istence like yours." He had frequently remarked her tender, delicate "My dear Theresa, you make a mistake. I thoughtfulness in ministering to all his many have thought much, and written much, and God wants, and wondered and rejoiced at the loving knows how honestly this work has been achieved. care he received. Meanwhile, what profit is there left me of all She had prepared his meal, and taken care my toil? what good have I done? You are a to secure his favorite food, to tempt his appetite. comfort to the poor; Julio, the author, is use"You are better to-day," she said, with a less to every one." sweet smile, as she waited on him. "Oh, but you must live; you shall live; I " Yes, much better," he replied; "you take will make you live, by taking such care of you." such excellent care of me." And from that day, known and loved, Theresa "Oh, that God would hear my prayer for redoubled her tender ministerings. They were your recovery!" and the tears ran down her not in vain; they lengthened his life for a few cheeks. weeks. His heart warmed under the genial Julio was much affected. What possible in- kindness; his semi-delirious moments, even, terest could his case create in the bosom of this were not without their charm. Sometimes he poor sister, accustomed to see so many con- mistook Theresa for Louise, and extended his sumptive patients? arms to her with a sweet smile. "Then you often pray for me, Sister The- But his disease, though it made slower progresa?" ress, was not the less sure. Julio was obliged "Yes, indeed, M. l'Abbe- constantly; it is to give up his daily reading of the breviary, a my greatest comfort." practice which had been hitherto observed by "Thank you, dear friend; you will be the him with the strictest regularity. Now, howlast to cheer me with real sympathy before I ever, the effort was too much for his head. leave this world. I feel deeply what you have "You may lose him at any moment," the said, as well as all your constant attention to doctor had said to Theresa. me, taxing you sometimes, I fear, beyond your When Julio left Campan, the curd of that strength." place came to Bigorre to discharge his con" You have a good claim on my prayers, sym- science and display his zeal. He called upon pathy, and efforts." the almoner and superior of the hospice, and, "I don't understand you, daughter." assuming an air of profound mystery, detailed And a deep blush spread over her cheeks, as the following marvelous intelligence: though some communication was on the point "Rome," he said, "had condemned the writof escaping her lips. ings of that wretched priest, who was a Revolu"I see you have not recognized me," she tionist, in league with Garibaldi and all the enadded. emies of the papacy. He had taken part, more" Certainly not. I never remember having over, in all the disturbances at Rome, and had seen you before." defrayed the expenses consequent upon them. " But I knew you the moment you entered Had he presumed to die in his parish, he would this house, and right glad I felt when they ap- have felt it impossible to have absolved and pointed me to wait on you a week ago. Since buried him without first obtaining from him a I have been near you, however, I have not been retractation of his errors. And they would be able to summon courage enough to tell you who guilty of a grave dereliction of duty if they failI was, or remind you of all that you have done ed to use every effort to bring about his reconfor me. I owe you more than my life." ciliation with the Church." Julio thought that Sister Theresa had been The lady superior was a good woman, but one of his penitents at T- or St. Aventin, very silly. On the other hand, the almoner and replied under that impression, wanted promotion. He thought he might turn "It is a minister's highest privilege to be per- an honest penny by the affair. At all events, mitted to do good in the ministry." the two came to an understanding, and one fine But Sister Theresa's distress and perplexity morning entered Julio's room with very long increased. She grew pale and trembled; then, countenances. Sister Theresa was away; so falling on her knees at his feet, she seized one they found the poor invalid alone. of his hands, and told him every thing. " Speak, mother," said the almoner. "I am the young girl," she cried, "from the "You are a priest-you should speak to the Valley of Lys, whose honor you saved. You abbe." can understand now why I love you so dearly." " My dear brother, I have a most painful "Poor, dear child," said Julio; "God has duty to perform," observed the ecclesiastic. been very gracious; and to me too, for sending Julio interrupted him: you to my bedside as an angel of consolation. " Oh no, not at all painful. M. l'Abbe, you I thank Thee, 0 God! I can die in her loving come to tell me to prepare for death. I hope, arms. Thou hast not forsaken me, and I bless in a day or two, that I shall be able to receive Thy name." the last sacraments; you will be very welcome "No, no, you must not die; see, you are bet- then; but I'm not quite ready just now." ter even now. Be hopeful. Oh that I could "You misunderstand us." THE HOLOCAUST. 245 "Do I? May I ask your errand, then?" that I ought to prepare for death. Isn't that "Your writings, your opinions-" what you wish to say?" "But, my dear abbe, my writings surely have " Oh, thank you much," said Theresa, trying nothing to do with you? They trench in no to restrain her tears. "You will do that for way on Catholic teaching." me, won't you?" "Yet a recantation would be as-" "For God first, and then for you, Theresa." Julio raised himself in his bed, and looked at "Then I'll go and call the almoner." the two with a quiet, searching, serious look, but "No, no, my dear daughter. I respect him said nothing. as a priest, but I can not speak to him in confi"I was observing that a recantation-" dence. Oblige me by fetching the Abbe de "Did you not understand my silence, M. Bordere." l'Abb?" And Theresa hastened to comply with his reIt was enough-the almoner and mother su- quest, having first communicated it to the mothperior withdrew; managing, however, to propa- er superior. gate a rumor through Bigorre "that Julio had "Very good," she replied; "but the almoner refused the last sacraments, and was resolved to should administer the extreme unction after his perish in his unbelief." recantation. Otherwise...." "You see we were right in saying that this The Abbe de Bordere was a priest living in wretched heretic would die the death of Luther retirement in Bigorre. He belonged to a good and Lamennais," remarked the readers of the family, and had been professor of moral philosAtlas to one another. "It's just the way with ophy at Tarbes. Some dispute or other with all the Church's enemies. There he is, struck his diocesan had led to his leaving France in down in the prime of life, an unpardoned blas- 1826, on which occasion he set out on a missionphemer and hopeless reprobate." ary expedition in the wilds of North America. The mother superior sent for Sister Theresa, On his return from his wanderings, his love for and told her of the painful interview which had his native country led him to establish himself just transpired. at Bigorre, where he celebrated mass for a re"Ah! dear daughter," she continued, "let ligious order in the town, confessed, visited the us pray for this unhappy man. What a scan- sick, cherished two or three private friends, and dal it would create if he expired without the shunned priests. sacraments!" He was about seventy years old-a clever "But, dear mother, he is so gentle, pious, and man, of a cautious disposition, who spoke little good, he would most certainly wish to die a and wrote nothing. He had read extensively, Christian." however, and, what was better still, had seen a "Yet, if he is to die a Christian, he must re- good deal of the world, and had a most vivid extract his errors." perience of life, reaping great instruction and "What errors, mother? I know I'm igno- profit from his numerous journeys. rant; I've never read his books; but I over- He was naturally of a resolute disposition, heard him saying to a priest from T-, a and very self-contained and reserved. Outfriend of his, who came over to see him, that he wardly he was nothing more than a quiet, wellhad never written any thing against the doe- behaved priest, deferential to constituted autrines of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Ro- thority; inwardly he had a soul on fire-a cour. man Church." ageous, dare-any-thing spirit; indeed, his re" Oh yes, I know he said as much to the al- solve to search after truth had led him almost moner. Still, he is against the temporal power, to the verge of skepticism. and so is a heretic." He soon reached Julio's room, and Theresa "Don't you think, however, that the poor left them together. priest might be left in peace?" "Don't go far away, sister," said Julio. "Don't you think you are exercising your "Father, said he to the Albe de Bordere, private judgment a little? Do you wish to "I have sent for you because I can confide in take his part?" you. I feel that my days are numbered, for I "I don't understand you. I take the part know my disease too well to be able to deceive of all those I wait upon." myself on that head. I wish to die in the bo"Quite so. Well, you'd do better if you som of the Catholic Apostolic Roman Church, held your tongue, and went and said a rosary in which I was born, and of which I am a priest. for his soul, in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes." I believe in her teaching. I have been mixed "I will hold my tongue, mother." up with disputes, with questions raised by the interests of the clergy. I am against the temThe day after the visit of the mother superior poral power. I think it useless, even dangerand almoner Julio felt himself worse. Sister ous, merely taking into consideration the extent Theresa was in the room, looking at him with to which it diminishes the moral weight of the a fixed, earnest gaze, revealing her inmost papacy. I have never attacked a single docthoughts and longings. trine of the Church, and if I refuse to believe "You want to ask me a question, Theresa; I what was proclaimed at Rome on the 8th of see it in your eyes. Come, don't cry. I un- December, 1854, it's because I don't think the derstand you; you mean that my time is come; Pope has a right to add to the faith by trans 246 UNDER THE BAN. ferring a simple opinion into a dogma for cor- bosom of one of your brethren by convictions pulsory credence. I have, however, exposed an such as you have cherished, will show you that ambitious order, which lords it over the priest- you have not been alone in your struggles and hood, and charges itself with the general con- trials. I have been confessing to you, you see, duct of the Church's affairs; not because they instead of you to me, for such revelations as I robbed me and my sister of our fortune, but be- have made are only for the ears of the dying. cause I am convinced of the evil tendencies of Were I to commit them to paper, I should be their system. I respect the greater number of exposed to every form of contumely and persethe men who compose their fraternity, but I cution; and I have no idea of running the have not spared the spirit which animates them. gauntlet. As for the abuse that has been heapMy writings have been put in the Index, it is ed upon you, you know, as well as I do, that it true; but I don't think you will consider that has been permitted by a gracious God in wise, this circumstance should at all affect our rela- loving discipline for your soul. But He spurns tion to each other at this moment. The ques- their blasphemous anathemas. No, martyrtion is, can I appear before God with a light priest, you are not accursed! You are the heart, though my brother priests have written greatest of us all, for you have suffered the me'accursed?' Am I really to be held ac- most. Your talents have been conspicuous; countable for the assumed scandal which they your life has been stainless; you might have say I have created? Tell me, father. If I have reached the highest position in the Church, but been a proud rebel against authority, say so; I you rejected the chance. You loved the truth, am ready at once to humble myself before you, and fought for it; and you are going where a and retrieve the error which I never suspected crown awaits you 1" myself to have committed." He paused. Julio asked him to listen to his "No, brother, no," said the old man, gently, detailed confession of the faults of his life, from as he seated himself by Julio's bed; "you have which he desired plenary absolution. nothing to retract. I know you well; I have The decree of pardon pronounced, the dying read your writings; and if Catholicism could saint seemed to pass into a condition of blissful be saved, it would be by men of your simple ecstasy. At that moment a stranger entered and faith and entire devotion. Your only character- hastily approached his bed. Theresa recognized istics have been strictest orthodoxy, and most ut- him in a moment, and sank down at his feet. ter freedom from Ultramontanism. Ah! dear "It's you, Loubere!" said Julio, as he markbrother, I have studied these questions too. ed the well-known face and convulsive grasp Those very idiots who hate you, and have so of the hand. mercilessly persecuted you, would have proclaim- Yes, Loubere had come from Paris with all ed you a savior of the Church could they have possible speed, warned by the last letter, so full foreseen that the day must come when the prin- of vague apprehensions. ciples you hold will gain undoubted victory. "It is, dear friend," he said. "Thank God, You never denied a doctrine of the truth; yours I see you again!" have never been the struggles that I have known Julio seemed to rally for a moment; and. -struggles which to you alone I reveal for the drawing Theresa and Loubere toward him, said first time. Mine has been a life diametrically to them, in a low tone, opposed to yours. You have courted religious "Poor things! God has brought you togethdiscussion; I have avoided it. Publicity has er again by my death-bed. Loubere, listen to had its charms for you; by me it has been al- me. Theresa has expiated her fault and yours ways dreaded. You will die a martyr, repro- by devoting herself to suffering humanity. You bated by the clergy, while I breathe my last in have a great work to do in the priesthood. Use the bosom of the Church, having censured her your utmost endeavors to recover your spiritin my own thoughts more severely even than ual functions. Christian souls are often bowed you have done. But you will have your re- down with sorrow. Oh, the blessing of a Chrisward. Your name will figure where mine will tian priest, with a heart full of sympathy in have no place-in the page of history; though their midst-the noblest mission here below!" encircled with that violent abuse, the lot of men At that moment there came on an attack, who, in the true nobleness of their spirit, can which appeared, at first, as though it would not brook the tameness of cautious reserve. have carried him off. He rallied sufficiently, You are passing from us full of glorious views however, to say to Sister Theresa, of truth; I remain, disenchanted and gloomy, "My dear child, come here. Raise me a deferring the final solution of my terrible doubts little. I feel I am getting weaker and weaker. till the hour of my departure. Julio, would Hold me in your arms. I should like to die that I could die as you are dying. You quit there. You replace my beloved Louise." this world a real believer, angels of hope and Then stretching out his cold hand to his love bearing up your soul to the bosom of God, faithful friend, he added, while I, all but a skeptic, shudder at my deso- "Loubere, you have often told me that you late position. I know that you will not spurn owed me your life, while you saved mine in Itfrom you the old man you have chosen to be aly. Yet there is one other boon I should like your spiritual director in your dying moments; to have from you-a promise of a brighter time but the avowal of sufferings engendered in the for your own soul- a hope, as I appear before THE HOLOCAUST. 247 God, that you will one day join me. Farewell The priest stood by, awe-struck at the sub-not forever. IT Is BLESSED-VERY BLESSED lime spectale. Then bending an earnest gaze -TO BELIEVE." on the rapturous repose and dignity that clothed And a gentle sigh, as of a summer evening the face of the dead, breeze, passed from the pale lips of the dying "Glory be to Thy Name, Lord God of hosts," across the face of the ministering sister. There he cried, as he fell upon his knees, breathing a went forth upon its wings the soul of the mar- final benediction; "Thou alone art just. Thou tyr. Julio was gone! hast given to him whom men held accursed that His features shone with the sunshine of peace of Thine which passeth all understandHeaven, as the calm grandeur of eternal rest ing!" throned itself on his marble brow. THE END.