Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 1.djvu/293

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THE ABBÉ AUBAIN
211


Letter VI

The Abbé Aubain to the Abbé Bruneau, Profesor of Theology at A——.

N—— May, 1845.

My dear Professor,—It is the curé of Sainte Marie who is writing to you, not any longer the humble, officiating priest of Noirmoutiers. I have left my solitary marshes and behold me a citizen, installed in a fine living, in the best street in N——; curé of a large, well-built church, well kept up, of splendid architecture, depicted in every album in France. The first time that I said Mass before a marble altar, which glittered with gilding, I had to ask myself if I really were myself. But it is true enough, and one of my delights is the hope that at the next vacation you will come and pay me a visit. I shall have a comfortable room to offer you, and a good bed, not to mention some bordeaux, which I call my bordeaux of Noirmoutiers; and I venture to say it is worth your acceptance. But, you ask me, how did you get from Noirmoutiers