down as she was bidden.

'But, my dear, it is needful that your friends should talk to you.
I am sure that you have too much sense to think that a young woman
like yourself should refuse to hear her friends.' Marie had it
almost on her tongue to tell the priest that the only friends to
whom she chose to listen were her uncle and her aunt, but she
thought that it might perhaps be better that she should remain
silent. 'Of course, my dear, a young person like you must know that
she must walk by advice, and I am sure you must feel that no one can
give it you more fittingly than your own priest.' Then he took a
large pinch of snuff.

'If it were anything to do with the Church,--yes,' she said.

'And this has to do with the Church, very much. Indeed I do not
know how any of our duties in this life cannot have to do with the
Church. There can be no duty omitted as to which you would not
acknowledge that it was necessary that you should get absolution
from your priest.'

'But that would be in the church,' said Marie, not quite knowing how
to make good her point.

'Whether you are in the church or out of it, is just the same. If
you were sick and in bed, would your priest be nothing to you then?'

'But I am quite well, Father Gondin.'

'Well in health; but sick in spirit,--as I am sure you must own.