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The Abbe Gabriel and Monsieur Bonnet returned to the parsonage； where
Denise and her mother were requested to come in time to start for
Limoges with the two ecclesiastics。
As the younger man walked along the path which followed the outskirts
of upper Montegnac he was able to examine the village priest so warmly
commended by the vicar…general less superficially than he did in
church。 He felt at once inclined in his favor； by the simple manners；
the voice full of magic power； and the words in harmony with the voice
of the village rector。 The latter had only visited the bishop's palace
once since the prelate had taken Gabriel de Rastignac as secretary。 He
had hardly seen this favorite； destined for the episcopate； though he
knew how great his influence was。 Nevertheless； he behaved with a
dignified courtesy that plainly showed the sovereign independence
which the Church bestows on rectors in their parishes。 But the
feelings of the young abbe； far from animating his face； gave it a
stern expression； it was more than cold； it was icy。 A man capable of
changing the moral condition of a whole population must surely possess
some powers of observation； and be more or less of a physiognomist；
and even if the rector had no other science than that of goodness； he
had just given proof of rare sensibility。 He was therefore struck by
the coldness with which the bishop's secretary met his courteous
advances。 Compelled to attribute this manner to some secret annoyance；
the rector sought in his own mind to discover if he had wounded his
guest； or in what way his conduct could seem blameworthy in the eyes
of his superiors。
An awkward silence ensued； which the Abbe de Rastignac broke by a
speech that was full of aristocratic assumption。
〃You have a very poor church； monsieur；〃 he said。
〃It is too small；〃 replied Monsieur Bonnet。 〃On the great fete…days
the old men bring benches to the porch； and the young men stand
outside in a circle； but the silence is so great that all can hear my
voice。〃
Gabriel was silent for some moments。
〃If the inhabitants are so religious how can you let the building
remain in such a state of nudity？〃 he said at last。
〃Alas； monsieur； I have not the courage to spend the money which is
needed for the poor on decorating the church；the poor are the
church。 I assure I should not be ashamed of my church if Monseigneur
should visit it on the Fete…Dieu。 The poor return on that day what
they have received。 Did you notice the nails which are placed at
certain distances on the walls？ They are used to hold a sort of
trellis of iron wire on which the women fasten bouquets； the church is
fairly clothed with flowers； and they keep fresh all day。 My poor
church； which you think so bare； is decked like a bride； it is filled
with fragrance； even the floor is strewn with leaves； in the midst of
which they make a path of scattered roses for the passage of the holy
sacrament。 That's a day on which I do not fear comparison with the
pomps of Saint…Peter at Rome； the Holy Father has his gold； and I my
flowers；to each his own miracle。 Ah！ monsieur； the village of
Montegnac is poor； but it is Catholic。 In former times the inhabitants
robbed travellers； now travellers may leave a sack full of money where
they please and they will find it in my house。〃
〃That result is to your glory；〃 said Gabriel。
〃It is not a question of myself；〃 replied the rector； coloring at this
labored compliment； 〃but of God's word； of the blessed bread〃
〃Brown bread；〃 remarked the abbe； smiling。
〃White bread only suits the stomachs of the rich；〃 replied the rector；
modestly。
The young abbe took the hands of the older priest and pressed them
cordially。
〃Forgive me； monsieur；〃 he said； suddenly making amends with a look in
his beautiful blue eyes which went to the depths of the rector's soul。
〃Monseigneur told me to test your patience and your modesty； but I
can't go any further； I see already how much injustice the praises of
the liberals have done you。〃
Breakfast was ready； fresh eggs； butter； honey； fruits； cream； and
coffee were served by Ursule in the midst of flowers； on a white cloth
laid upon the antique table in that old dining…room。 The window which
looked upon the terrace was open； clematis； with its white stars
relieved in the centre by the yellow bunch of their crisped stamens；
clasped the railing。 A jasmine ran up one side； nasturtiums clambered
over the other。 Above； the reddening foliage of a vine made a rich
border that no sculptor could have rendered； so exquisite was the
tracery of its lace…work against the light。
〃Life is here reduced； you see； to its simplest expression；〃 said the
rector； smiling； though his face did not lose the look which the
sadness of his heart conveyed to it。 〃If we had known of your arrival
（but who could have foreseen your errand？） Ursule would have had some
mountain trout for you； there's a brook in the forest where they are
excellent。 I forget； however； that this is August and the Gabou is
dry。 My head is confused with all these troubles。〃
〃Then you like your life here？〃 said the young abbe。
〃Yes； monsieur； if God wills； I shall die rector of Montegnac。 I could
have wished that my example were followed by certain distinguished men
who have thought they did better things in becoming philanthropists。
But modern philanthropy is an evil to society； the principles of the
Catholic religion can alone cure the diseases which permeate social
bodies。 Instead of describing those diseases and extending their
ravages by complaining elegies； they should put their hand to the work
and enter the Lord's vineyard as simple laborers。 My task is far from
being accomplished here； monsieur。 It is not enough to reform the
people； whom I found in a frightful condition of impiety and
wickedness； I wish to die in the midst of a generation of true
believers。〃
〃You have only done your duty； monsieur；〃 said the young man； still
coldly； for his heart was stirred with envy。
〃Yes； monsieur；〃 replied the rector； modestly； giving his companion a
glance which seemed to say： Is this a further test？ 〃I pray that all
may do their duty throughout the kingdom。〃
This remark； full of deep meaning； was still further emphasized by a
tone of utterance； which proved that in 1829 this priest； as grand in
thought as he was noble in humility of conduct； and who subordinated
his thoughts to those of his superiors； saw clearly into the destinies
of both church and monarchy。
When the two afflicted women came the young abbe； very impatient to
get back to Limoges； left the parsonage to see if the horses were
harnessed。 A few moments later he returned to say that all was ready。
All four then started under the eyes of the whole population of
Montegnac； which was gathered in the roadway before the post…house。
The mother and sister kept silence。 The two priests； seeing rocks
ahead in many subjects； could neither talk indifferently nor allow
themselves to be cheerful。 While seeking for some neutral subject the
carriage crossed the plain； the aspect of which dreary region seemed
to influence the duration of their melancholy silence。
〃