“Monsieur l’abbé, it is useless for you to speak: you are an enlightened priest; you see in religion a collection of moral precepts2, a necessary discipline, and not a set of antiquated3 dogmas, of mysteries whose absurdity4 is only too little mysterious.”
As a priest, M. Guitrel had excellent rules of conduct. One of these rules was to avoid scandal and to hold his tongue, rather than expose the truth to the mockery of unbelievers. And, as this precaution agreed with the bent5 of his character, he observed it scrupulously6. But M. le préfet Worms-Clavelin was lacking in discretion7. His vast, fleshy nose, his thick lips, seemed like a powerful apparatus8 of suction and absorption, whilst his receding9 forehead,80 above his great pale eyes, betrayed his opposition10 to all moral delicacy11. He persisted, marshalled against Christian12 dogmas the arguments of the masonic lodges13 and the literary cafés, and concluded by saying that it was impossible for an intelligent man to believe a word of the Catechism. Then, bringing down his fat, beringed hand on the priest’s shoulder, he said:
“You don’t answer, my dear abbé; you are of my opinion.”
“Pardon me, monsieur le préfet; that little book, the Catechism, which it is the fashion to despise in certain quarters, contains more truths than the great treatises15 on philosophy which make such a vast noise in the world. The Catechism unites the most learned metaphysics with the most effective simplicity16. This appreciation17 is not mine; it is that of an eminent18 philosopher, M. Jules Simon, who ranks the Catechism above Plato’s Tim?us.”
The préfet dared not contradict the opinion of an ex-minister. He remembered at the same time that his official superior, the present Secretary of State for the Home Department, was a Protestant. He said: “As an official I respect all religions equally, Protestantism as well as Catholicism. As a man, I am a freethinker, and if I had any preference as to81 dogma, let me tell you, monsieur l’abbé, that it would be in favour of the Reformed Party.”
M. Guitrel replied in an unctuous19 voice: “There are, doubtless, among Protestants, many persons eminently20 estimable from the point of view of morals, and I dare say many exemplary persons, if they are judged from the world’s standpoint. But the so-called reformed Church is but a limb hacked21 from the Catholic Church, and the place of the wound still bleeds.”
Indifferent to this powerful phrase, borrowed from Bossuet, M. le préfet drew from his case a big cigar, lighted it, and holding out the case to the priest:
“Will you accept a cigar, monsieur l’abbé?”
Being densely22 ignorant of ecclesiastical discipline, and believing that tobacco-smoking was forbidden to the clergy23, he offered a cigar to M. Guitrel in order to make him look awkward or to lead him astray. In his ignorance he believed that by this offer he was leading a wearer of the cassock into sin, making him fall into disobedience, perhaps into sacrilege, and almost into apostasy24. But M. Guitrel placidly25 took the cigar, slipped it carefully into the pocket of his great-coat, and said urbanely26 that he would smoke it after supper in his room.
Thus M. le préfet Worms-Clavelin and Abbé Guitrel, professor of sacred rhetoric27 at the high seminary, conversed28 in the goldsmith’s office. Near82 them, Rondonneau junior, contractor29 to the Archbishop, who also worked for the prefecture, listened to the conversation discreetly31, without taking part in it. He was preparing his mail, and his bald pate32 came and went among his account-books and the samples of commercial jewellery heaped up on the table.
With a brusque movement M. le préfet stood upright, pushed Abbé Guitrel to the other end of the room, into the recess33 of the window, and whispered in his ear:
“My dear Guitrel, you know that the bishopric of Tourcoing is vacant.”
“I have in fact,” answered the priest, “learnt of the death of Monseigneur Duclou. It is a great loss for the Church of France. Monseigneur Duclou’s merits were only equalled by his modesty34. He excelled in preaching. His pastoral addresses are models of hortatory eloquence35. Shall I dare to recall to mind that I knew him in Orleans, at the time when he was still Abbé Duclou, the revered36 curé of Saint-Euverte, and that at that time he deigned37 to honour me with his gracious friendship? The news of his premature38 death was particularly distressing39 to me.”
“It’s not a question of that,” said the préfet. “He is dead; it is a question of filling his place.”
83 M. Guitrel’s face changed. Now, screwing up his little eyes till they were quite round, he looked like a rat who sees bacon in the larder41.
“You must know, my dear Guitrel,” continued the préfet, “that this business has nothing whatever to do with me. It is not I who appoint the bishops42. I am not the keeper of the seals, nor the nuncio, nor the Pope. God be thanked!”
And he began to laugh.
“By the bye, on what terms do you stand with the nuncio?”
“The nuncio, monsieur le préfet, looks upon me with friendliness43, as a humble44 and dutiful servant of the Holy Father. But I do not flatter myself that he especially heeds45 me, in the humble station in which I have been placed and where I am content to remain.”
“My dear abbé, if I speak to you about this affair—quite between ourselves, isn’t it?—it is because there is a question of sending a priest from my county town to Tourcoing. I hear on good authority that the name of Abbé Lantaigne, head of the high seminary, is being brought forward, and it is not impossible that I may be asked to supply confidential46 information about the candidate. He is your ecclesiastical superior. What do you think of him?”
M. Guitrel answered, with downcast eyes:
“It is certain that Abbé Lantaigne would bring to the episcopal see once sanctified by the apostle Loup84 both eminent piety47 and the precious gifts of eloquence. His Lenten sermons preached at Saint-Exupère have been justly admired for their logical arrangement of ideas and power of expression, and it is commonly recognised that some of the sermons would fall in no respect short of perfection, if there were present in them that unction, that perfumed and consecrated48 oil, if I may dare so to call it, which alone penetrates49 the heart.
“The curé of Saint-Exupère took pleasure in being the first to declare that M. Lantaigne, in speaking the word from the pulpit of the most venerable church in the diocese, had deserved well of the great apostle of the Gauls who laid the first stone of it, by reason of an ardour and a zeal50 whose very excesses were excused by their benevolent51 origin. He only deplored52 the orator’s excursions into the domain53 of contemporary history. For it must needs be confessed that M. Lantaigne has no fear of walking on embers that are still burning. M. Lantaigne is distinguished54 by piety, learning and talent. What a pity that a priest worthy55 of being raised to the highest positions in the Church should believe it to be his duty to proclaim a devotion, doubtless praiseworthy in principle, but reckless in its results, to an exiled family from whom he has received favours. He takes pleasure in showing a copy of the Imitation de Jésus-Christ, bound in purple and gold, which was given85 to him by the Comtesse de Paris, and he displays far too freely the extent of his gratitude56 and fidelity57. And what a misfortune that an arrogance58, excusable perhaps in such lofty talent, should lead him even to the lengths of speaking publicly under the quincunxes about the Cardinal-Archbishop in terms which I dare not repeat! Alas59! failing my voice, all the trees on the Mall would re-utter these words that fell from the mouth of M. Lantaigne, in the presence of M. Bergeret, professor of literature: ‘In brain alone, His Eminence60 observes the evangelical vow61 of poverty!’ Such sayings are habitual62 with him, and was he not heard to say at the last ordination63, when His Eminence advanced clothed in those pontifical64 ornaments65 which he bears with so much dignity, notwithstanding his short stature66: ‘Golden cross, wooden bishop30’? Most unseasonably he thus censured67 the magnificence with which Monseigneur Charlot delights to celebrate the offices as well as to regulate the ordering of his official banquets, and especially the dinner which he gave to the general in command of the new army-corps, and to which you were invited, Monsieur le préfet. And in particular any better agreement between the prefecture and the archbishopric offends Abbé Lantaigne, who is far too inclined, unfortunately, to prolong the painful misunderstandings from which Church and State suffer equally, in scorn86 of the precepts of St. Paul and the teaching of His Holiness Leo XIII.”
The préfet opened his mouth quite wide, being in the habit of listening with it. He burst out:
“This Lantaigne is steeped in the most detestable spirit of clericalism! He owes me a grudge68? What has he got against me? Am I not tolerant and liberal enough? Did I not shut my eyes when on all sides the monks69 and nuns70 re-entered the convents, the schools? For if we vigorously uphold the essential laws of the Republic, we hardly enforce them. But priests are incorrigible71. You are all the same. You cry out that you are being oppressed as soon as you yourself are not oppressing. And what does he say about me, this Lantaigne of yours?”
“Nothing definite can be set forth72 against the administration of M. le préfet Worms-Clavelin, but an uncompromising soul like M. Lantaigne never forgives either your association with freemasonry or your Jewish origin.”
The préfet shook the ash from his cigar. “The Jews are no friends of mine. I have no ties in the Jewish world. But be tranquil74, my dear abbé, I give you my word that M. Lantaigne shall not be bishop of Tourcoing. I have enough influence in the bureaux to checkmate him.?… Just listen to me, Guitrel: I had no money when I started out in life. I made connections for myself. Connections87 are worth nearly as much as wealth. I have many and good ones. I shall be on the watch to see that Abbé Lantaigne cuts his own throat in the bureaux. Besides, my wife has a candidate for the bishopric of Tourcoing. And that candidate is you, Guitrel.”
At this word, Abbé Guitrel cast down his eyes and flung up his arms.
“I, sit in the seat sanctified by the blessed Loup and by so many pious75 apostles of Northern Gaul! Can such a thought have occurred to Madame Worms-Clavelin?”
“My dear Guitrel, she wishes that you should wear the mitre. And I assure you she is powerful enough to create a bishop. For my part, I shall not be sorry to give a Republican bishop to the Republic. That’s understood, my dear Guitrel; you look after the Archbishop and the nuncio; my wife and I will set the bureaux in motion.”
And M. Guitrel murmured with clasped hands:
“The ancient and venerable see of Tourcoing!”
“A third-class bishopric, a mere76 hole, my dear abbé. But one must make a beginning. Why! do you know where I started my career in official life? At Céret! I was sous-préfet of Céret, in the Pyrénées-Orientales! Would any one credit it??… But I am wasting my time gossiping?… Good evening, Monseigneur.”
The préfet held out his hand to the priest. And88 M. Guitrel went off along the winding77 street of the Tintelleries, humbly78 and with shoulders bent, yet planning cunning measures and promising73 himself, on the day when he wore the mitre and grasped the crozier, to resist the civil Government, like a prince of the Church, to fight the freemasons and to hurl79 anathemas80 at the principles of freethought, the Republic, and the Revolution.
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1
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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precepts
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| n.规诫，戒律，箴言( precept的名词复数 ) | |
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antiquated
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| adj.陈旧的，过时的 | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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martyr
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| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
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treatises
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| n.专题著作，专题论文，专著( treatise的名词复数 ) | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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unctuous
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| adj.油腔滑调的，大胆的 | |
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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hacked
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| 生气 | |
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densely
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| ad.密集地；浓厚地 | |
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clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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apostasy
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| n.背教，脱党 | |
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placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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urbanely
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| adv.都市化地，彬彬有礼地，温文尔雅地 | |
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rhetoric
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| n.修辞学，浮夸之言语 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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contractor
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| n.订约人，承包人，收缩肌 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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pate
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| n.头顶；光顶 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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droop
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| v.低垂，下垂；凋萎，萎靡 | |
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larder
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| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
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bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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43
friendliness
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| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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heeds
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| n.留心，注意，听从( heed的名词复数 )v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的第三人称单数 ) | |
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46
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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penetrates
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| v.穿过( penetrate的第三人称单数 )；刺入；了解；渗透 | |
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50
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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51
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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52
deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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54
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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55
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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56
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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57
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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58
arrogance
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| n.傲慢，自大 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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61
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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ordination
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| n.授任圣职 | |
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pontifical
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| adj.自以为是的，武断的 | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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censured
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| v.指责，非难，谴责( censure的过去式 ) | |
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grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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nuns
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| n.（通常指基督教的）修女， （佛教的）尼姑( nun的名词复数 ) | |
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incorrigible
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| adj.难以纠正的，屡教不改的 | |
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72
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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76
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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anathemas
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| n.（天主教的）革出教门( anathema的名词复数 )；诅咒；令人极其讨厌的事；被基督教诅咒的人或事 | |
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