"Yes, but I also remember that He sent an angel to arrest the father's hand."
"Possibly," said the Baron, with a bitter laugh; "but I do not believe anything of the kind myself!"
André Bernard raised his eyes to the ceiling, in pious horror.
After a moment, George de Pradines drew his chair beside the priest, and continued:—
"And yet, Monsieur le Curé, I have something to tell you that I think will change your opinion in the matter of vows."
"Proceed," murmured the priest, who was already troubled with a presentiment of evil.
"Since we parted last night, strange things have happened at the château. A wounded traveller has arrived—a traveller whom we believed long since dead. He lives. Eh bien, Monsieur le Curé, can you guess who he is?"
"Monsieur le Baron—I—I know not," murmured the priest; and for the third time André Bernard uttered an untruth.
"I am really surprised, Monsieur le Curé at your want of penetration. Well, it is the Chevalier de Fontane."
At this name the priest turned pale and trembled. He looked silently upon the ground.