42 THE FLOWERS

“Be it so, my daughter,” I answered: and
I know not how many Ave-Marias and Pater-
nosters I enjoined, to be repeated before the
image of the Virgin in the closet of Madame
Bulé before the hour of mass on the follow-
ing day: and thus having slightly healed the
wound of my penitent, or rather administered
fresh subject for future self-satisfaction to one
who was already but too well pleased with her-
self, and as it were added fuel to the fire I
should have sought to have quenched, I dis-
missed Susette, and proceeded to confess her
rival, who soon afterwards entered the church
and approached the confessional.

The confession of Fanchon was but a repe-
tition of that of Susette, with this difference
only, that this second penitent was more re-
served and guarded in her acknowledgment
of error than the former had been. I was,
in consequenc. less satisfied with her, and
doubled her portion of Ave-Marias and Pater-
nosters, giving her also for the performance
of her service the gloom of evening, instead of
the bright morning hours: and this young
lady being withdrawn, I requested that Aimée
might be brought to me.