You have said mass in it, and now you are leaving it sacrilegiously and forswearing yourself!" But Pierre also had risen; and buoyed up by a sudden rush of health and strength he answered: "No, no! I am leaving it willingly, as one leaves a dark vault, to return into the open air and the broad sunlight.

God does not dwell there; the only purpose of that huge edifice is to defy reason, truth and justice; it has been erected on the highest spot that could be found, like a citadel of error that dominates, insults and threatens Paris!" Then seeing that the old priest's eyes were again filling with tears, and feeling on his own side so pained by their rupture that he began to sob, Pierre wished to go away.

"Farewell! farewell!" he stammered.
But Abbe Rose caught him in his arms and kissed him, as if he were a rebellious son who yet had remained the dearest.

"No, not farewell, not farewell, my child," he answered; "say rather till we meet again.

Promise me that we shall see each other again, at least among those who starve and weep.