—But that is blasphemy, Veronica.
—Blasphemy possibly, but it is the truth, Monsieur Marcel.
—Have you then surprised my predecessors in some act of culpable weakness?
—Oh, holy Virgin! I did not surprise them, it was they on the contrary who surprised me.
—You!… And how then?
—Monsieur le Curé, you don't understand me. You were speaking of their weakness, I meant to say that they had taken advantage of mine.
—Ah, here we are, thought Marcel. Is it possible? What! of your weakness? these ecclesiastics?
—Sir. You are an ecclesiastic too and yet … if Mademoiselle Suzanne
Durand….
—Don't go on, Veronica. I have asked you not to recall that remembrance to me. It is wrong of you to forget that.
—Sweet Jesus! I don't want to offend you. I wanted to make you understand that since you, you have erred, the others….