The other smiled sadly.
"What does that mean in plainer words?" asked he. "It means that you do not wish to do wrong because whatever you desire will seem to you right."
"You are unjust!" Maurice retorted, flushing.
The face of the Father grew stern. "Since when did the rule of the order allow you to use such language to your superiors? If you are not thinking of evading your vows, you do evade them daily; and the throwing them off can be nothing but an affair of time."
Maurice felt that he could not endure this longer without breaking out into words which he should afterward repent. He rose at once.
"Will you permit me to retire?" he said. "I shall be glad of your answer to my request for leave of absence, but I cannot go on with this conversation."
The other stretched out his hand with a gesture infinitely tender.
"My son!" he entreated. "Do not stray into the wilderness!"
Maurice looked at the outstretched hand. His eyes moistened, but he could not yield. He felt tenderness for Father Frontford, but he was more and more at war with the Father Superior. For an instant they remained thus, and then the thin hand dropped.
"You are then still resolute in asking leave?" the Father said, in his coldest voice.