M. GUITREL: “In miracles that are not duly verified I have, indeed, but little belief.”
M. LE PRÉFET: “We are alone. Confess, now, that there are no miracles, that there never have been any, and that there never can possibly be any.”
M. GUITREL: “Not at all, monsieur le préfet. A miracle is possible; it can be unmistakably recognised; it is useful for the confirmation of doctrine; and its utility is proved by the conversion of nations.”
M. LE PRÉFET: “Anyhow, you grant that it is ridiculous to believe that Saint Radegonde, who lived in the Middle Ages …”
M. GUITREL: “In the sixth century, in the sixth century.”
M. LE PRÉFET: “Exactly, in the sixth century. … Should come in 189– to gossip with the daughter of a registry-keeper on the political programme of the ministry and the Chambers.”
M. GUITREL: “Communications between the Church triumphant and the Church militant are possible; history supplies numberless undeniable instances of it. But, yet again, I do not believe that the young person of whom we are speaking is favoured with a communication of this kind. Her sayings, if I may dare to say so, do not bear the hall-mark of a celestial revelation. Everything she says is somehow …”
M. LE PRÉFET: “Humbug.”
M. GUITREL: “If you like. … Though, indeed, it might be quite possible that she is possessed.”
M. LE PRÉFET: “What is this that you are saying? You, an intelligent priest, a future bishop of the Republic, you believe in possession! It is a mediæval superstition! I have read a book by Michelet on it.”