“Indeed, I had not: I was doing my best to save what would enable me to put it in practice.”

“He did not like leaving me in the Rue Fossette ; he feared I should miss him there too much⁠—I should feel desolate⁠—I should grow sad⁠—?”

This was certain; but I promised to do my best to endure.

“Still,” said he, speaking low, “there is another objection to your present residence. I should wish to write to you sometimes: it would not be well to have any uncertainty about the safe transmission of letters; and in the Rue Fossette ⁠—in short, our Catholic discipline in certain matters⁠—though justifiable and expedient⁠—might possibly, under peculiar circumstances, become liable to misapplication⁠—perhaps abuse.”

“But if you write,” said I, “I must have your letters; and I will have them: ten directors, twenty directresses, shall not keep them from me. I am a Protestant: I will not bear that kind of discipline: Monsieur, I will not .”

“ Doucement⁠—doucement ,” 250 rejoined he; “we will contrive a plan; we have our resources: soyez tranquille .” 251

So speaking, he paused.