"
"And when I am a Jew's wife, may I not go to mass?"
"Yes; you may go to mass. Who can hinder you?"
"And if I pray devoutly, will not the saints hear me?"
"It is not for me to limit their mercy. I think that they will hear all
prayers that are addressed to them with faith and humility."
"And you, Father, will you not give me absolution if I am a Jew's
wife?"
"I would ten times sooner give it you as the wife of a Christian, Nina.
My absolution would be nothing to you, Nina, if the while you had a
deep sin upon your conscience." Then the priest went, being unwilling
to endure further questioning, and Nina seated herself in a glow of
triumph. And this was the worst that she would have to endure from the
Church after all her aunt's threatenings--after Lotta's bitter words,
and the reproaches of all around her! Father Jerome--even Father
Jerome himself, who was known to be the strictest priest on that side
of the river in opposing the iniquities of his flock--did not take upon
himself to say that her case as a Christian would be hopeless, were she
to marry the Jew! After that she went to the drawer in her bedroom, and
restored the picture of the Virgin to its place.
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