"Are you the daughter of the miller Soubirons?" asked Peyramale.
"Yes, monsieur le cure," she said.
"What is it you wish?"
"I came to say that the Lady who appears to me in the grotto of
Massabielle--"
"Hush, child!" interrupted Peyramale. "Do not repeat this foolish tale
to me. You have stirred the whole country round with the story of your
vision, but do not bring such tales to me. What do you mean by this?
I tell you, child, the Virgin sees you now, and if you practice
imposture the door of heaven will be for ever shut against you."
Bernadette was in no wise disturbed, and resumed her narrative without
faltering.
"What, then, is the name of your vision?" asked Peyramale
when she had told him the story of her experience.
"I don't know," she replied.
"Was it the Virgin?"
"I do not say that it was the Virgin," said Bernadette, "but I know
that I see her as plainly as I see you now, and she speaks to me
distinctly; and she commanded me to say to you that she wishes a
church to be built on the rock of Massabielle."
Peyramale was astonished at the strange language and the firmness of
the child, and replied: "Your story, Bernadette, is beyond reason:
still, your manner is honest. Do not give yourself up, I pray you,
to an illusion of your mind.
Pages:
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263