“And who makes the difference?”
“Fate—Chance—Destiny.”
“How miserable a notion! However, I
should be wanting in my duty to Holy Church, of which I am an unworthy minister,” and here he disengaged his arm from Tournier’s, and looking him steadily in the face, with an expression, not of severity, but of yearning tenderness, that pierced the manly fellow’s heart more than a hundred anathemas would have done, “if I did not most solemnly warn thee that these notions of thine are damnable heresy, and that it behoves thee therefore to repent of this thy wickedness, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”
And then the good bishop took him by the hand and added, “Still look on me as a would-be friend, and whenever you want me seek me, and better far, whenever you want God seek Him, and you shall surely find Him.”
He turned away and went to his lodging, not in the barracks, but in the village of Stilton, about a mile off.
Captain Tournier soon lost the impression made by the solemn words, but he never to his
dying day forgot the compassionate look that accompanied them. The old priest left his mark.
Winter had passed, and Spring was far advanced before Tournier paid his first visit to Mr. Cosin. It was not want of sociability or indifference to the friendship of such a very genial man that made him delay. He himself was naturally a very jolly sort of fellow, so that his friend, Villemet, could not in the least make out the transformation. In fact, he began to think him un peu timbré. However, at last, he made up his mind to call at the Manor Farm; and one sunny day he appeared at the door, somewhat like a martyr tied to the stake, but without his cheerfulness of resignation. He had not long to wait. The door was opened with a will, and Cosin himself stood before him with welcome beaming in his face. There could be no doubt of it. His friend, whom he had treated so coldly, was heartily glad to see him, and said as much.
“Can you forgive me, Mr. Cosin, for being so long in accepting your kind invitation?”