The Equinox (Volume I, Number X)

THE KEY OF THE MYSTERIES would not have suffered so abominable a remark, and the man would have been immediately arrested.” 4 “Would to God that all the world thought as you do!” said the lady. Then she added: “I recommend myself to your prayers, for I see clearly that you are a man of God.” “Perhaps every one does not think so,” replied Eliphas. “And what does the world matter to us?” replied the lady with vivacity; “the world lies and calumniates, and is impious! It speaks evil of you, perhaps. I am not surprised at it, and if you knew what it says of me, you would easily understand why I despise its opinion!” “ The world speaks evil of you, madam ?” “Yes, in truth, and the greatest evil that can be said.” “ How so?” “Tt accuses me of sacrilege.” “You frighten me. Of what sacrilege, if you please?” “Of an unworthy comedy that I am supposed to have played in order to deceive two children, on the mountain of the Salette.” “What! You must be——” “Tam Mademoiselle de la Merliére.” “T have heard speak of your trial, mademoiselle, and of the scandal which it caused, but it seems to me that your age and your position ought to have sheltered you from such an accusation.” “Come and see me, sir, and-I will present you to my lawyer, M. Favre, who is a man of talent whom I wish to gain to God.” 1 Unless he were able to make himself invisible, as. Levi, of course, could do. This is the point of his irony—O. M. 173