I wanted to see you first, and converse with you about something very important." The Abbe hesitated, rubbed a spot of mud off his soutane, raised his shoulders like a man lifting a heavy burden, then gave a deep cough.
"My dear child," continued he at length, prudently dropping his voice a tone lower, "I will begin by repeating to you what I said yesterday to Claudet Sejournant: the marriage, that is to say, the indissoluble union, of man and woman before God, is one of the most solemn and serious acts of life.

The Church has constituted it a sacrament, which she administers only on certain formal conditions.

Before entering into this bond, one ought, as we are taught by Holy Writ, to sound the heart, subject the very inmost of the soul to searching examinations.

I beg of you, therefore, answer my questions freely, without false shame, just as if you were at the tribunal of repentance.

Do you love Claudet ?" Reine trembled.