that the mysterious and precious pearls which God has given as a
crown of mercy to those whom He has made one body, one heart, one soul, by
the blessed ties of a christian union, are lavishly thrown before swine.

Whole hours are thus passed by the fair penitent in speaking to her Father
Confessor with the utmost freedom on matters which would rank her among the
most profligate and lost women, if it were only suspected by her friends
and relatives. A single word of those intimate conversations would be
followed by an act of divorce on the part of the husband, if it were known
by him.

But the betrayed husband knows nothing of the dark mysteries of auricular
confession; the duped father suspects nothing; a cloud from hell has
obscured the intelligence of both, and made them blind. It is just the
contrary: husbands and fathers, friends and relations, feel edified and
pleased with the touching spectacle of the piety of Madam and Miss ----. In
the village, as well as in the city, every one has a word to speak in their
praise. Mrs. ---- is so often seen humbly prostrated at the feet, or by the
side, of her confessor! Miss ---- remains so long in the confessional-box!
they receive the holy communion so frequently; they both speak so
eloquently and so often of the admirable piety, modesty, holiness,
patience, charity, of their incomparable spiritual Father!

Every one congratulates them on their new and exemplary life; and they
accept the compliment with the utmost humility, attributing their rapid
progress in Christian virtues to the holiness of their confessor. He is
such a spiritual man! who could not make rapid strides under such a holy
guide?

The more constant the temptations are, the more the secret sins overwhelm
the soul, and the more airs of peace and holiness are put on. The more foul
the secret emanations of the heart, the more the fair and refined penitent
surrounds herself by an atmosphere of the sweetest perfumes of a sham
piety. The more polluted the inside of the sepulchre is, the more shining
and white the outside will be kept.

Then it is that, unless God performs a miracle to prevent it, the ruin of
that soul is sealed. She has drunk in the poisonous cup filled by "the
mother of harlots," and she has found the wine of her prostitution sweet.
She will henceforth delight in her spiritual and secret orgies.

Her holy (?) confessor has told her that there is no impropriety, no shame,
no sin, in that cup. T