第180章

"Are they exposed to fall into a state of final impenitence by remaining with you--yes or no?"

"Yes, father, they are so exposed."

"Are you responsible, as you take the place of their parents, for the mortal sins they may commit--yes or no?"

"Alas, father! I am responsible before God."

"Is it in the interest of their eternal salvation that I enjoin you to place them this very day in a convent?"

"It is for their salvation, father."

"Well, then, choose!"

"But tell me, I entreat you, father if I have the right to dispose of them without the consent of my husband?"

"The right! you have not only the right, but it is your sacred duty.

Would you not be bound, I ask you, to rescue these unfortunate creatures from a fire, against the will of your husband, or during his absence?

Well! you must now rescue them, not from a fire that will only consume the body, but from one in which their souls would burn to all eternity."

"Forgive me, I implore you, father," said the poor woman, whose indecision and anguish increased every minute; "satisfy my doubts!--How can I act thus, when I have sworn obedience to my husband?"

"Obedience for good--yes--but never for evil.You confess, that, were it left to him, the salvation of these orphans would be doubtful, and perhaps impossible."

"But, father," said Frances, trembling, "when my husband returns, he will ask me where are these children? Must I tell him a falsehood?"

"Silence is not falsehood; you will tell him that you cannot answer his question."

"My husband is the kindest of men; but such an answer will drive him almost mad.He has been a soldier, and his anger will be terrible, father," said Frances, shuddering at the thought.

"And were his anger a hundred times more terrible, you should be proud to brave it in so sacred a cause!" cried the voice, with indignation."Do you think that salvation is to be so easily gained on earth? Since when does the sinner, that would walk in the way of the Lord, turn aside for the stones and briars that may bruise and tear him?"

"Pardon, father, pardon!" said Frances, with the resignation of despair.

"Permit me to ask one more question, one only.Alas! if you do not guide me, how shall I find the way?"

"Speak!"

"When Marshal Simon arrives, he will ask his children of my husband.

What answer can he then give to their father?"

"When Marshal Simon arrives, you will let me know immediately, and then--

I will see what is to be done.The rights of a father are only sacred in so far as he make use of them for the salvation of his children.Before and above the father on earth, is the Father in heaven, whom we must first serve.Reflect upon all this.By accepting what I propose to you, these young girls will be saved from perdition; they will not be at your charge; they will not partake of your misery; they will be brought up in a sacred institution, as, after all, the daughters of a Marshal of France ought to be--and, when their father arrives at Paris, if he be found worthy of seeing them again, instead of finding poor, ignorant, half-

savage heathens, he will behold two girls, pious, modest, and well-

informed, who, being acceptable with the Almighty, may invoke His mercy for their father, who, it must be owned, has great need of it--being a man of violence, war, and battle.Now decide! Will you, on peril of your soul, sacrifice the welfare of these girls in this world and the next, because of an impious dread of your husband's anger?"