Madame Doulce, who had been clever enough not to tell everything in a breath, went on to say:
"I did not allow myself to be discomfited by the opposition of Monsieur le Curé. I begged, I entreated. And his answer was: 'We owe respectful obedience to the Ordinary. Go to the Archbishop's Palace. I will do as Monseigneur bids me.' There is nothing left for me but to follow this advice. I'm hurrying off to the Archbishop's Palace."
"Let us get to work," said Pradel.
Romilly called to Nanteuil:
"Nanteuil! Come, Nanteuil, begin your whole scene over again."
And Nanteuil said once more:
"'Cousin, I was so happy when I awoke this morning....'"