even you, my only child, to do that, which God demands that one of us
should do."

He paused a moment, then continued earnestly:

"Remember, Juliette, that you are of the house of Marny, that you are
a Catholic, and that God hears you now. For you shall swear an oath
before Him and me, an oath from which only death can relieve you. Will
you swear, my child?"

"If you wish it, father."

"You have been to confession lately, Juliette?"

"Yes, father; also to holy communion, yesterday," replied the child.
"It was the Fete-Dieu, you know."

"Then you are in a state of grace, my child?"

"I was yesterday morning, father," replied the young girl naively,
"but I have committed some little sins since then."

"Then make your confession to God in your heart now. You must be in a
state of grace when you speak the oath."

The child closed her eyes, and as the old man watched her, he could
see the lips framing the words of her spiritual confession.

Juliette made the sign of the cross, then opened her eyes and looked
at her father.