"But," said the Maréchale, "that was before his change. Do not bring up what he once was. Think of what he is now. He has been living among my children, and I can trust him to go in and out with them. I know something of real conversions, and I think I can judge. I assure you that he has become a new man, with new desires, new aspirations, a new nature."
These assurances only led to another realistic description of his sins.
"But," pleaded the Maréchale, "that was when he was Saul; now he is Paul."
They stared and did not comprehend the meaning of her words.
"Let him come back to the Catholic Church," said the Baron. That his son should profess to have been saved outside the holy Mother Church was evidently a last blow to his pride.
"That is surely a secondary matter," said the Maréchale. "Considering what a sinner he has been, you should not mind by whom the change has come. He has been converted in the Armée du Salut, but there is only one God and one Saviour. Catholic and Protestant are alike if they have no life."
But the Baroness drew herself up in her beautiful robe, and said—
"Let him come back to the Catholic Church, or he will never receive another sou from us."
The Maréchale saw that it was time to end the interview.
"Very well, Baroness," she said, rising, "I will be your son's mother. I will buy your son clothes and boots."