‘There is a certain verse of his from which an astute reader can deduce that he was not a Jansenist,’ says Madeleine, with a deliciously roguish smile. ‘Can any of the company quote this verse?’
A wave of amused interest passes over the room.
‘I did not know that Callicrate was a theologian,’ says Sappho.
‘A theologian, yes, for he was an admirable professor of love’s theory, but a real Christian, no, for he was but a feeble and faithless lover,’ answers Madeleine, looking straight into Sappho’s eyes. Sappho colours, and with a laugh which thrills Madeleine’s ear, with a tiny note of nervousness says:—
‘Well, Mademoiselle, prove your theory about Callicrate by quoting the verses you allude to, and if you cannot do so, we will exact a forfeit from you for being guilty of the crime of having aroused the delightful emotion of curiosity without the justification of being able to gratify it.’ The company turn their smiling eyes on Madeleine, who proceeds to quote the following lines:—
‘Ne laissez rien en vous capable de déplaire.
Faites-vous toute belle: et tachez de parfaire
L’ouvrage que les Dieux ont si fort avancé:’
‘Now these lines allow great power to le libre arbitre, and suppose a collaboration between the gods and mortals in the matter of the soul’s redemption, which would, I am sure, bring a frown to the brows of les Messieurs de Port-Royale.’