—But what truth? I have nothing wrong to hide from you. I went to Mass. Is that forbidden?
—To Mass! Good Heavens! To Mass! That is most decidedly making up your mind to disobey me!
—But papa, you have not forbidden it to me.
—Not in so many words, it is true; because I counted on your reason and good sense. Have I not spoken loudly enough my way of thinking on this subject?
—But, papa, your way of thinking is completely contrary to that which I have been taught. You ought to have said when you sent me to Saint-Denis: "You are not to teach my daughter any religion." They have taught me religion, what is more natural than for me to follow it.
—And what has your religion in common with your Mass? If you want to pray to God, can you not pray to him at home?
—Am I not a Catholic before all?
It was the first time that Suzanne had spoken to her father in this firm and decided tone. Nothing more was wanted to irritate the irascible soldier:
—Ah! I know the hidden and villainous insinuation! he cried, Catholic before all! It is that indeed. Before being daughter! before being wife! before being mother! the Church, the priest first; the rest only comes after. The Mass, the Church! the Church, the Mass! With that they cover every vileness. Well, do you want me to tell you what I think of women who frequent churches? They are either lazy, or hypocrites, or idiots, or finally hussies in love with the Curé. There are no others. In which category do you want to be placed, my daughter?
—And all that because I discharge my religious duties!