At first she wondered if he were about to prove like Father Nicholas, for he did not ask her a single question till she stopped of herself. Then, instead of referring to any thing which she had said, he put one of weighty import.
“Daughter, what dost thou know of Jesus Christ?”
“I know,” said Doucebelle, “that He came to take away the sins of the world, and I humbly trust that He will take away mine.”
“That He will?” repeated Bruno. “Is it not done already?”
“I thought, Father, that it would be done when I die.”
“What has thy dying to do with that? If it be done at all, it was done when He died.”
“Then where are my sins, Father?” asked Doucebelle, feeling very much astonished. This was a new doctrine to her. But Bruno was an Augustinian, and well read in the writings of the Founder of his Order.
“They are where God cannot find them, my child. Therefore there is little fear of thy finding them. Understand me,—if thou hast laid them upon Christ our Lord.”
“I know I have,” said Doucebelle in a low voice.
“Then on His own authority I assure thee that He has taken them.”