[Jacques Bonneval by Anne Manning]@TWC D-Link book
Jacques Bonneval

CHAPTER II
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Madeleine sat close behind me this time, and on her knee was little Jules Lefevre, whom we had taken in charge of because his father's wagon was over-full.
He had something clasped tight in his hand, which he unclosed for a moment at Madeleine's request, and gave her a glimpse of a little "Agnus Dei," which he said had been given him by "the pretty lady." How or when she had done so, we never made out.

Madeleine tried to get it from him; but he resisted with all his might, saying it was "his own." "It must be confessed," said Gabrielle, "that the Catholic churches have much more in them to attract the eye than our plain temples." "Who denies it ?" said I."Their appeals are to the outward senses, which never influence the heart." "I think my heart would be very much influenced by them," said Gabrielle, "if I had not been brought up to think them wrong." "I cannot bear to hear you talk in that way, sister," said Madeleine.
"Pray, do not seem indifferent to the blessings of a purer faith." Gabrielle pouted, and said, "Indifferent?
no; but perhaps if you and I had been brought up Catholics, we might have been as positive we held the purer faith as we are now that we are of the Reformed." "A very good thing, then, that you were not so brought up," said I, "for then I should not have been betrothed to Madeleine;" and to prevent her pursuing so unpleasant a subject, I lifted up my voice and sang.
Little Jules presently dropped asleep in Madeleine's arms, and his little fat fingers unclosing, the dangerous bauble dropped from them, and, by a dexterous touch of my whip, I flicked it into the road.
By-and-by, awaking, he cried for it, and beat Madeleine with his tiny fists; nor was pacified till his attention was diverted by an almost interminable file of mules, with their five or six olive-faced muleteers in brown jackets and red sashes..


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