“What is it, children?” he asked.
“We wish to be married,” said Manon, “but we cannot be married until we have told the truth.”
Monsieur Lefèbre took them into the sacristy, which was also his kitchen, bedroom and salon. He gave Manon and Paul the two chairs, and sat on the box-bed that had been brought from one of the huts. His serious face troubled Paul Brent.
“Now what is the difficulty?”
His dark, jocund eyes looked straight at Paul.
“I had better begin from the beginning, monsieur. It is all my fault.”
“No, I am just as guilty as he is,” said Manon.
Monsieur Lefèbre looked pained. He had certainly been guilty of favouritism in his spiritual attitude towards these two, and here they were confessing some secret sin.
“Let Paul speak——”
But Manon read his face.