his servant seemed to be on the most perfect
terms. The only thing which marred the happiness of that lucky couple was
that, now and then, some of the farmers, whose eyes were sharper than those
of their neighbours, seemed to think that the intimacy between the two was
going a little too far, and that Joseph, was really keeping in his hands
the sceptre of the little priestly kingdom. Nothing could be done without
his advice; he was meddling in all the small and big affairs of the parish,
and the curate seemed sometimes to be rather the servant than the master in
his own house and parish. Those who had at first made those remarks
privately began little by little to convey their views to the next
neighbour, and this one to the next. In that way, at the end of the third
year, grave and serious suspicions began to spread from one to the other in
such a way that the Marguilliers (a kind of Elders) thought proper to say
to the priest that it would be better for him to turn Joseph out than to
keep him any longer. But the old curate had passed so many happy hours with
his faithful Joseph that it was as hard as death to give him up.

He knew, by confession, that a girl in the vicinity was given to an
unmentionable abomination, to which Joseph was also addicted. He went to
her and proposed that she should marry Joseph, and that he (the priest)
would help them to live comfortably. Joseph, in order to continue to live
near his good master, consented also to marry that girl. Both knew very
well what the other was. The banns were published during three Sabbaths,
after which the old curate, blessed the marriage of Joseph with the girl
his parishioner.

They lived together as husband and wife in such harmony that nobody could
suspect the horrible depravity which was concealed behind that union.
Joseph continued with his wife to work often for his priest, till after
sometime that priest was removed, and another curate, called Tetreau, was
sent in his place.

This new curate, knowing absolutely nothing of that mystery of iniquity,
employed also Joseph and his wife several times. One day when Joseph was
working at the door of the parsonage, in the presence of several people, a
stranger arrived, and inquired of him if the Rev. Mr. Tetreau, the curate,
was there.

Joseph answered, "Yes, sir. But as you seem to be a stranger, would you
allow me to ask you whence you come?"

"It is very easy, sir, to satisfy you. I come from Vercheres," r