do for you?"

The two men scanned each other's faces keenly, and I saw the
misunderstanding between them growing.

The dying man withdrew into himself and became hardened, incredulous
before this stranger, with the vulgar appearance, in whose mouth the
words of God and truth assumed a grotesque aspect.

However, he made an effort:

"If I have sinned in spirit, to use your words," he said, "it proves
that I have not sinned in reality, and why should I repent of what was
suffering pure and simple?"

"No theories now. We are not here for theorising. I tell you, a sin
committed in spirit is committed in intention, and therefore in effect,
and must be confessed and redeemed. Tell me how often you succumbed to
guilty thoughts. Give me details."

"But I resisted," moaned the unfortunate man. "That is all I have to
say."

"That is not enough. The stain--you are now convinced, I presume, of
the justice of the term--the stain ought to be washed out by the truth."

"Very well," said the dying man. "I confess I have committed the sin,
and I repent of it."

"That is not a confession, and is none of my business," retorted the
priest. "Now tell me, under exactly what circumstances did you yield
to temptation with that person, to the suggestions of the evil spirit?"

The man was swept by a wave of rebellion. He half rose and leaned on
his elbow, glaring at the stranger, who returned his look steadily.

"Why have I the evil spirit in me?" he demanded.

"You are not the only one. All men have it."

"Then it is God who put it into them, since it is God who made them."

"Ah, you are a debater! Well, if it gives you pleasure, I will answer
you. Man has both the spirit of good and the spirit of evil in him,
that is to say, the possibility of doing the one or the other. If he
succumbs to evil, he is damned. If he triumphs over it, he is
rewarded. To be saved, he must earn salvation by struggling with all
his powers."

"What powers?"

"Virtue and faith."

"And if he does not have enough virtue and faith, is that his fault?"

"Yes, because that comes from his having too much iniquity and
blindness in his soul."

The man sat up again, seized by a new fit of anger which consumed him
like a fever.

"Ah," he said, "original sin! There's nothing that can excuse the
suffering of good people on earth. It is an abomination."

The priest looked at the rebellious man blankly.

"How else could souls be tried?"