—Reason the more.
—That is true, Monsieur le Curé, but I began early. At fifteen I went to the Abbé Braqueminet's.
—I was acquainted with a Braqueminet, who was Bishop in partibus. A very worthy prelate.
—That he is, sir; he went to America.
—Come! this is too much, Veronica; you want to make a fool of me. At fifteen, do you say, that is too much! At thirty you were with the Abbé Fortin. I have no objection to that, since you passed as his relation, although with regard to this, our rules are precise, and we cannot take a housekeeper, till she is over a certain age. Sometimes, it is true, they smuggle in a few years: but fifteen years!
—It is the exact truth, however, sir. I was fifteen years old, and no more at the Abbé Braqueminet's, and you will believe me, when I tell you that I was his niece.
-Monseigneur Braqueminet's niece! you, Veronica?
-Yes, sir, his niece; the Holy Virgin who hears me, will tell you that I was his niece, and I will explain to you how.