'But, Cure,' said I, 'in the place of the father, what would you have done ?' 'I would have called my son; I would have said: Soulpse has been your name hitherto; never forget that it is yours no more; and call yourself by what other name you please.
Here is your lawful share of our property; marry the woman you love, so far from here that I may never hear speak of you again, and God bless you.

'For my part,' said old Madame D'Esclavelles, 'if I had been the mother of the young madman, I would have done exactly as his father did, and let him die.' And upon this there was a tremendous division of opinion, and an uproar that made the room ring again.
"The dispute lasted a long time, and would be going on now if the cure had not broken it off by putting to us another case.

A young priest, discontented with his profession, flees to England, apostatises, marries according to the law, and has children.

After a certain time he longs for his native country; he comes back to France with his children and his wife.

After that, again, he is stricken by remorse; he returns to his religion, has scruples about his marriage, and thinks of separating from his wife.