920 Les Miserables
Burgundy. The ancient magistracy agreed with him. In for-
mer times we had voices in the chapter, even on matters of
the day. The Abbot of Citeaux, the general of the order, was
councillor by right of birth to the parliament of Burgun-
dy. We do what we please with our dead. Is not the body of
Saint Benoit himself in France, in the abbey of Fleury, called
Saint Benoit-sur-Loire, although he died in Italy at Mont-
Cassin, on Saturday, the 21st of the month of March, of the
year 543? All this is incontestable. I abhor psalm-singers, I
hate priors, I execrate heretics, but I should detest yet more
any one who should maintain the contrary. One has only to
read Arnoul Wion, Gabriel Bucelin, Trithemus, Maurolics,
and Dom Luc d’Achery.’
The prioress took breath, then turned to Fauchelevent.
‘Is it settled, Father Fauvent?’
‘It is settled, reverend Mother.’
‘We may depend on you?’
‘I will obey.’
‘That is well.’
‘I am entirely devoted to the convent.’
‘That is understood. You will close the coffin. The sisters
will carry it to the chapel. The office for the dead will then
be said. Then we shall return to the cloister. Between eleven
o’clock and midnight, you will come with your iron bar. All
will be done in the most profound secrecy. There will be in
the chapel only the four Mother Precentors, Mother Ascen-
sion and yourself.’
‘And the sister at the post?’
‘She will not turn round.’