"Think, too," the priest went on, "of the pyx, in which the transubstantiated elements are preserved, the consecrated oblations, and note that in the Middle Ages these little cases were formed in the figure of a dove and contained the Host in the very image of the Paraclete and the Virgin; this was well done, but here is something better. The jewellers of the time carved ivory and gave these little shrines the form of a tower. Is not the sentiment exquisite of our Lord dwelling in the heart of the Virgin, the Ivory Tower of the Canticles? Is not ivory indeed the most admirable material to serve as a sanctum for the most pure white flesh of the Sacrament?" "It is certainly mystical, and far more appropriate than the vessels of every form, the _ciboria_ of silver-gilt, of aluminum, of silver of these days." "And need I remind you that the liturgy assigns a meaning to each vestment, each ornament of the Church, according to its use and form? "Thus, for instance, the surplice and alb signify innocence; the cord that serves as a girdle is an emblem of chastity and modesty; the amice, of purity of heart and body--the helmet of salvation mentioned by Saint Paul. The maniple, of good works, vigilance, and the tears and sweat poured out by the priest to win and save souls; the stole, of obedience, the clothing on of immortality given to us in baptism; the dalmatic, of justice, of which we must give proof in our ministrations; the chasuble, of the unity of the faith, and also of the yoke of Christ. "But the rain has not ceased, and I must nevertheless be gone, for I have a penitent waiting for me," exclaimed the Abbe, looking at his watch. "Will you come the day after to-morrow at about two o'clock? We will hope it may be fine enough to examine the outside of the Cathedral." "And if it still rains?" "Come all the same. But I must fly." He pressed Durtal's hand and was gone. CHAPTER VI. "Yes, I know when I confessed in her presence that I did not yet know of which Saint I might write the history, Madame Bavoil--dear Madame Bavoil, as the Abbe Gevresin calls her--exclaimed: 'The life of Jeanne de Matel! Why not?' "But it is a biography that is not easy to deal with or that can be lightly handled," said Durtal to himself, as he arranged the notes he had collected by degrees as bearing on this Venerable woman. And he sat meditating.