minding cattle; kneeling and knitting; there they stay
from sunrise to sunset, their mind a blank; vegetating; expecting
nothing better from life; untroubled by the mysterious problems that
disturb and perplex so many of us; in very many ways so much to be
envied; escaping the heritage of those more richly endowed: the mental
and spiritual pain and oppression of existence.

The day passed on and we approached Quimper. We thought of Catherine and
wondered what we should find awaiting us. Much, according to her, that
would be better avoided. But as we drew near to the ancient town and
saw, rising heavenwards, the beautiful spires of her cathedral, standing
out in the romantic gloaming as an architectural dream against the
background of sky, we felt that here would be our reward, come what else
might. The train steamed into the station; our day's journey was over.
We must now part from our pleasant travelling companion.

"I hope not, for ever," he said, as he bared his head on the platform,
according to the polite custom of his country. "We have some things in
common; we see much from the same point of view; accident made me a
Frenchman and a priest, and I would not have it otherwise; but I think
that I could also have been very happy as an Englishman and a member of
your Church. Here I think that we meet half-way; for if I find myself so
much in touch with an Englishman, you seem to me in still closer union
with the French nature."

Then he gave us his card and asked us if we would go and see him.

"Do not be afraid," he laughed; "I will not try to convert you--pervert,
you would call it. I think we are both too broad-minded to meddle with
things that do not concern us. Here, I am the guest of the Bishop, but
he is absent, and will only return the day before my departure. It is a
pity, for he would charm you by many delightful qualities, though he may
not be quite so tolerant as I."

We parted with an understanding that it was to meet again, and went our
different ways. We consigned our traps to the omnibus, H.C. for once
trusting his precious treasures out of sight, but retaining his umbrella
with all the determination of an inquisitor inflicting torture upon a
fellow mortal. A short avenue brought us to the river, which flowed
through the town, and, not without reason, had been condemned by
Catherine. We crossed the bridge and went down the quay. It was lined
with trees, and in fine weather is rather a pleasant wal