OF THE FOREST. 41

At the word penance, Susette started, as
under fear ; on which I spoke soothingly to
her, and added, that she need not be afraid,
for I would not be severe.

“The sacrament of penance, my daughter,”
I remarked, “consists of three parts, con-
trition, confession, and satisfaction. The tears
of contrition I have seen on your features; you
have performed the duty of confession; and
what now remains to be done is satisfaction.”

“And in what,” asked Susette hastily,
“does this duty of satisfaction consist ?”

“In what I shall require of you to do,” I
answered.

“Then, dear father Raffré,” she answered,
“vou surely will not make me ask pardon of:
little Aimée, or seek a reconciliation with Fan-
chon ?”—and she looked imploringly at me.

“T shall exact of you,” I replied, “before
I can venture to give you absolution, that
satisfaction which the church requires. For
satisfaction, which is the third part of the sacra-
ment of penance, is a faithful performance of
the prayers of good works enjoined by the
priest to whom the penitent confesses.”

“T am willing, father,” she replied, “to re-
peat as many prayers as you could desire,”

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