with violence, and flung myself on
my bed, my heart filled with frightful hate and jealousy, and gnawed my
fingers and my bedcovers like a tiger that has passed ten days without
food.

I know not how long I remained in this condition, but at last, while
writhing on the bed in a fit of spasmodic fury, I suddenly perceived
the Abbe Serapion, who was standing erect in the centre of the room,
watching me attentively. Filled with shame of myself, I let my head fall
upon my breast and covered my face with my hands.

'Romuald, my friend, something very extraordinary is transpiring within
you,' observed Serapion, after a few moments' silence; 'your conduct is
altogether inexplicable. You--always so quiet, so pious, so gentle--you
to rage in your cell like a wild beast! Take heed, brother--do not
listen to the suggestions of the devil The Evil Spirit, furious that you
have consecrated yourself for ever to the Lord, is prowling around you
like a ravening wolf and making a last effort to obtain possession of
you. Instead of allowing yourself to be conquered, my dear Romuald,
make to yourself a cuirass of prayers, a buckler of mortifications, and
combat the enemy like a valiant man; you will then assuredly overcome
him. Virtue must be proved by temptation, and gold comes forth purer
from the hands of the assayer. Fear not. Never allow yourself to become
discouraged. The most watchful and steadfast souls are at moments liable
to such temptation. Pray, fast, meditate, and the Evil Spirit will
depart from you.'

The words of the Abbe Serapion restored me to myself, and I became a
little more calm. 'I came,' he continued, 'to tell you that you have
been appointed to the curacy of C------. The priest who had charge of
it has just died, and Monseigneur the Bishop has ordered me to have you
installed there at once. Be ready, therefore, to start to-morrow.'
I responded with an inclination of the head, and the Abbe retired. I
opened my missal and commenced reading some prayers, but the letters
became confused and blurred under my eyes, the thread of the ideas
entangled itself hopelessly in my brain, and the volume at last fell
from my hands without my being aware of it.

To leave to-morrow without having been able to see her again, to add yet
another barrier to the many already interposed between us, to lose
for ever all hope of being able to meet her, except, indeed, through a
miracle! Even to write to her, alas! would be impossible,