estly.

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 wh