Page 776 of 1118

"They have told this also, the tattlers!" thought Don Abbondio,

but as he gave no indication of addressing himself to speech, the

cardinal pursued,-"Is it true, that you told these young people

falsehoods to keep them in ignorance and darkness?-I am

compelled, then, to believe it; it only remains for me to blush

for you, and to hope that you will weep with me. Behold where it

has led you, (merciful God! and you advanced it as a

justification!) behold to what it has conducted you, this

solicitude for your life! It has led you--(repel freely the

assertion if it appear to you unjust: take it as a salutary

humiliation if it is not) it has led you to deceive the feeble

and unfortunate, to lie to your children!"