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The world imparts this virtue, teaches this doctrine. What do I

say? O shame! the world itself rejects it. It has likewise its

laws, which prescribe good, and prohibit evil; it has also its

gospel, a gospel of pride and hatred, which will not admit the

love of life to be offered as a plea for the transgression of its

laws. It commands, and is obeyed; but we, we children and

messengers of the promise! what would become of the church, if

your language was held by all your brethren? Where would she now

be, if she had originally come forth with such doctrines?"

Don Abbondio hung down his head; he felt under the weight of

these arguments as a chicken under the talons of a hawk, who

holds him suspended in an unknown region, in an atmosphere he had

never before breathed. Seeing that a reply was necessary, he

said, more alarmed than convinced,-