“A ciborium, a beautiful ciborium,” said the Abbé.
“When I used to sing in the choir as a boy,” said the General, “I always heard the Fathers call it a custodial.”
“Yes, you can call it either a custodial or a ciborium,” replied the Abbé. “These are the names given to the receptacles which hold the reserved Eucharist. But the custodial is formed like a cylinder and has a conical cover.”
With frowning brow M. de Brécé stood wrapped in thought; then with a deep sigh he said:
“Why should Madame de Bonmont, who is a Jewess, give a ciborium to Notre-Dame-des-Belles-Feuilles? Why have these people a mania for forcing themselves into our churches?”
The Abbé Guitrel, with his fingers thrust into the sleeves of his coat, moistened his lips and said gently:
“Allow me to point out, Monsieur, that Madame Jules de Bonmont is a Catholic.”
“Nonsense!” cried the Duke. “She is an Austrian Jewess, and her maiden name was Wallstein. The real name of her late husband, the Baron de Bonmont, was Gutenberg.”
“Allow me, Monsieur,” said the Abbé. “I do not deny that the Baronne de Bonmont is of Jewish descent. What I mean is that she has been converted and baptized, and is therefore a Christian. She is a good Christian, I might add, and gives largely to our charities, in fact, she is an example to——”
“I am acquainted with your ideas,” interrupted the Duke, “and I respect them as I respect your cloth. But to me a converted Jew remains a Jew; I cannot make any distinction between the two.”