THE COUNCIL.
The following scene took place at Saint-Dizier House, two days after the reconciliation of Marshal Simon with his daughters.The princess is listening with the most profound attention to the words of Rodin.The reverend father, according to his habit, stands leaning against the mantelpiece, with his hands thrust into the pockets of his old brown great-coat.His thick, dirty shoes have left their mark on the ermine hearth-rug.A deep sense of satisfaction is impressed on the Jesuit's cadaverous countenance.Princess de Saint-Dizier, dressed with that sort of modest elegance which becomes a mother of the church, keeps her eyes fixed on Rodin--for the latter has completely supplanted Father d'Aigrigny in the good graces of this pious lady.The coolness, audacity lofty intelligence, and rough and imperious character of the ex-socius have overawed this proud woman, and inspired her with a sincere admiration.Even his filthy habits and often brutal repartees have their charm for her, and she now prefers them to the exquisite politeness and perfumed elegance of the accomplished Father d'Aigrigny.
"Yes, madame," said Rodin, in a sanctified tone, for these people do not take off their masks even with their accomplices, "yes, madame, we have excellent news from our house at St.Herem.M.Hardy, the infidel, the freethinker, has at length entered the pale of the holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church." Rodin pronounced these last word with a nasal twang, and the devout lady bowed her head respectfully.
"Grace has at length touched the heart of this impious man," continued Rodin, "and so effectually that, in his ascetic enthusiasm, he has already wished to take the vows which will bind him forever to our divine Order."
"So soon, father?" said the princess, in astonishment.
"Our statutes are opposed to this precipitation, unless in the case of a penitent in articulo mortis--on the very gasp of death--should such a person consider it necessary for his salvation to die in the habit of our Order, and leave us all his wealth for the greater glory of the Lord."
"And is M.Hardy in so dangerous a condition, father?"
"He has a violent fever.After so many successive calamities, which have miraculously brought him into the path of salvation," said Rodin, piously, "his frail and delicate constitution is almost broken up, morally and physically.Austerities, macerations, and the divine joys of ecstasy, will probably hasten his passage to eternal life, and in a few clays," said the priest, shaking his head with a solemn air, "perhaps--"
"So soon as that, father?"
"It is almost certain.I have therefore made use of my dispensations, to receive the dear penitent, as in articulo mortis, a member of our divine Company, to which, in the usual course, he has made over all his possessions, present and to come--so that now he can devote himself entirely to the care of his soul, which will be one victim more rescued from the claws of Satan."
"Oh, father!" cried the lady, in admiration; "it is a miraculous conversion.Father d'Aigrigny told me how you had to contend against the influence of Abbe Gabriel."
"The Abbe Gabriel," replied Rodin, "has been punished for meddling with what did not concern him.I have procured his suspension, and he has been deprived of his curacy.I hear that he now goes about the cholera-
hospitals to administer Christian consolation; we cannot oppose that--but this universal comforter is of the true heretical stamp."
"He is a dangerous character, no doubt," answered the princess, "for he has considerable influence over other men.It must have needed all your admirable and irresistible eloquence to combat the detestable counsels of this Abbe Gabriel, who had taken it into his head to persuade M.Hardy to return to the life of the world.Really, father, you are a second St.
Chrysostom."
"Tut, tut, madame!" said Rodin, abruptly, for he was very little sensible to flattery; "keep that for others."
"I tell you that you're a second St.Chrysostom father," repeated the princess with enthusiasm; "like him, you deserve the name of Golden Mouth."
"Stuff, madame!" said Rodin, brutally, shrugging his shoulders; "my lips are too pale, my teeth too black, for a mouth of gold.You must be only joking."
"But, father--"
"No, madame, you will not catch old birds with chaff," replied Rodin, harshly."I hate compliments, and I never pay them."
"Your modesty must pardon me, father," said the princess, humbly; "I could not resist the desire to express to you my admiration, for, as you almost predicted, or at least foresaw, two members of the Rennepont family, have, within the last few months, resigned all claim to the inheritance."
Rodin looked at Madame de Saint-Dizier with a softened and approving air, as he heard her thus describe the position of the two defunct claimants.
For, in Rodin's view of the case, M.Hardy, in consequence of his donation and his suicidal asceticism, belonged no longer to this world.
The lady continued: "One of these men, a wretched artisan, has been led to his ruin by the exaggeration of his vices.You have brought the other into the path of salvation, by carrying out his loving and tender qualities.Honor, then.to your foresight, father! for you said that you would make use of the passions to attain your end."
"Do not boast too soon," said Rodin, impatiently."Have you forgotten your niece, and the Hindoo, and the daughters of Marshal Simon? Have they also made a Christian end, or resigned their claim to share in this inheritance?"
"No, doubtless."