"Hush--hush my child!" interposed the Cardinal quietly "Nothing
indeed can prevent thee,--no one can hinder thee from walking the
world according to thine own will and direction. Thou must take good
and evil as they come, and strive thy best to discern between them--
and if the love of God cannot help thee--well!--perchance the love
of thy mother may!"
There was a pause. Henri's head drooped, and quick tears filled his
eyes. He said nothing further, but turned to assist Babette in
guiding the little Fabien's hesitating steps as he hobbled from the
room. The emotional Madame Patoux choked back a rising sob.
"God bless you Monseigneur!" she murmured--"Henri will not forget
those words--the lad has a hasty temper, but a good heart--yes,
believe me--a good heart--"
"That I am sure of"--responded the Cardinal--"He is quick and
intelligent--and seeks to know the truth. If he could feel an
asserted 'truth' to be really true, I am confident he would frame
his life upon it, and be a good, brave man. Yes--he is a clever
lad,--and our modern system of education pushes the brain to a
precocity exceeding bodily years,--his impatience and anger only
come from puzzling over what he finds it difficult to understand.
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