ervation, and be more or less of a physiognomist; and even if the
rector had no other science than that of goodness, he had just given
proof of rare sensibility. He was therefore struck by the coldness with
which the bishop's secretary met his courteous advances. Compelled to
attribute this manner to some secret annoyance, the rector sought in
his own mind to discover if he had wounded his guest, or in what way his
conduct could seem blameworthy in the eyes of his superiors.

An awkward silence ensued, which the Abbe de Rastignac broke by a speech
that was full of aristocratic assumption.

"You have a very poor church, monsieur," he said.

"It is too small," replied Monsieur Bonnet. "On the great fete-days the
old men bring benches to the porch, and the young men stand outside in a
circle; but the silence is so great that all can hear my voice."

Gabriel was silent for some moments.

"If the inhabitants are so religious how can you let the building remain
in such a state of nudity?" he said at last.

"Alas, monsieur, I have not the courage to spend the money which is
needed for the poor on decorating the church,--the poor are the church.
I assure I should not be ashamed of my church if Monseigneur should
visit it on the Fete-Dieu. The poor return on that day what they have
received. Did you notice the nails which are placed at certain distances
on the walls? They are used to hold a sort of trellis of iron wire
on which the women fasten bouquets; the church is fairly clothed with
flowers, and they keep fresh all day. My poor church, which you think
so bare, is decked like a bride; it is filled with fragrance; even the
floor is strewn with leaves, in the midst of which they make a path of
scattered roses for the passage of the holy sacrament. That's a day on
which I do not fear comparison with the pomps of Saint-Peter at Rome;
the Holy Father has his gold, and I my flowers,--to each his own
miracle. Ah! monsieur, the village of Montegnac is poor, but it is
Catholic. In former times the inhabitants robbed travellers; now
travellers may leave a sack full of money where they please and they
will find it in my house."

"That result is to your glory," said Gabriel.

"It is not a question of myself," replied the rector, coloring at this
labored compliment, "but of God's word, of the blessed bread--"

"Brown bread," remarked the abbe, smiling.

"White bread only suits the stomachs of the rich," replied the rector,
mod