I have never had any mysteries in my
life save one,--that of my birth, which up till to day was a stigma
and a drawback;--but now, I feel I may be proud of my father. A man
who sacrifices his entire social reputation and position to make
amends for a wrong done to the innocent is worthy of honour."
"I grant it!" said the Cardinal, "But you yourself--why have you
made a name which is like a firebrand to start a conflagration of
discord in Europe?--why do you use your gifts of language and
expression to awaken a national danger which even the strongest
Government may find itself unable to stand against? I do not blame
you till I hear,--till I know;--but your writings,--your appeals for
truth in all things,--are like loud clarion blasts which may awaken
more evil than good."
"Monseigneur, the evil is not of my making,--it exists!" replied
Cyrillon, "My name, my writings,--are only as a spark from the huge
smouldering fire of religious discontent in the world. If it were
not MY name it would be another's. If _I_ did not write or speak,
someone else would write and speak--perhaps better--perhaps not so
well. At any rate I am sincere in my convictions, and write from the
fulness of the heart. I do not care for money--I make none at all by
literature,--but I earn enough by my labour in the fields to keep me
in food and lodging.
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