While thinking over these reflections, Durtal went towards the chapel, where the Office called him, and thence to the refectory.
He was surprised to find the table laid only for one. "What has happened to M. Bruno? Yet I may as well wait a while," and to kill time, he occupied himself by reading a printed card, hung upon the wall.
It was a sort of advertisement which began thus:
"Eternity.
"Fellow sinners, you will die. Be ye always ready.
"Watch then, pray without ceasing, never forget the Four Last Things which you see here traced
"Death, the gate of Eternity,
Judgment, which decides Eternity,
Hell, the abode of unhappy Eternity,
Paradise, the abode of blessed Eternity."
Father Etienne interrupted Durtal, telling him that M. Bruno had gone to Saint Landry to make some purchases, and would only return at bed-time at eight o'clock. "Dine then without waiting, and make haste, or all your dishes will be cold."
"And how is the father abbot?"
"Better, he keeps his room still, but he hopes to be able to come down a while, the day after to-morrow, and assist at least at some of the offices."