He will not wed Madame Alois of France, nor you, nor any virgin in Christendom until that spiritual wedlock is consummate.

I should not love him as I do if I did not believe it.

For why?
Shall I call my own son apostate?
He is signed with the Cross, a married man, by our Saviour!' He leaned back in his chair, peering down at her to see how she took it.
She took it stilly, and turned him a marble, storm-purged face, a pair of eyes which seemed all black.
'What shall I do to be safe ?' Her voice sounded worn.
'Safe, my child ?' He wondered.

'Bless me, is not the Cross safety ?' 'Not with him, father.' This was perfectly true, though tainted with scandal, he thought.

The abbot, who was trained to blink all such facts, had to learn that this girl blinked none.