"When you feel quite well," this strange priest went on after a pause,
"you must tell me the reasons which prompted you to commit this last
crime, this attempted suicide."

"My story is very simple, Father," replied she. "Three months ago I
was living the evil life to which I was born. I was the lowest and
vilest of creatures; now I am only the most unhappy. Excuse me from
telling you the history of my poor mother, who was murdered----"

"By a Captain, in a house of ill-fame," said the priest, interrupting
the penitent. "I know your origin, and I know that if a being of your
sex can ever be excused for leading a life of shame, it is you, who
have always lacked good examples."

"Alas! I was never baptized, and have no religious teaching."

"All may yet be remedied then," replied the priest, "provided that
your faith, your repentance, are sincere and without ulterior motive."

"Lucien and God fill my heart," said she with ingenuous pathos.

"You might have said God and Lucien," answered the priest, smiling.
"You remind me of the purpose of my visit. Omit nothing that concerns
that young man."

"You have come from him?" she asked, with a tender look that would
have touched any other priest! "Oh, he thought I should do it!"

"No," replied the priest; "it is not your death, but your life that we