The Atheists Mass | Page 9

the Cour de Rohan.

"This man's faith was perfect; he loved the Holy Virgin as he might
have loved his wife. He was an ardent Catholic, but never said a word
to me about my want of religion. When he was dying he entreated me
to spare no expense that he might have every possible benefit of clergy.
I had a mass said for him every day. Often, in the night, he would tell
me of his fears as to his future fate; he feared his life had not been
saintly enough. Poor man! he was at work from morning till night. For
whom, then, is Paradise--if there be a Paradise? He received the last
sacrament like the saint that he was, and his death was worthy of his
life.
"I alone followed him to the grave. When I had laid my only benefactor
to rest, I looked about to see how I could pay my debt to him; I found
he had neither family nor friends, neither wife nor child. But he
believed. He had a religious conviction; had I any right to dispute it?
He had spoken to me timidly of masses said for the repose of the dead;
he would not impress it on me as a duty, thinking that it would be a
form of repayment for his services. As soon as I had money enough I
paid to Saint-Sulpice the requisite sum for four masses every year. As
the only thing I can do for Bourgeat is thus to satisfy his pious wishes,
on the days when that mass is said, at the beginning of each season of
the year, I go for his sake and say the required prayers; and I say with
the good faith of a sceptic--'Great God, if there is a sphere which Thou
hast appointed after death for those who have been perfect, remember
good Bourgeat; and if he should have anything to suffer, let me suffer it
for him, that he may enter all the sooner into what is called Paradise.'
"That, my dear fellow, is as much as a man who holds my opinions can
allow himself. But God must be a good fellow; He cannot owe me any
grudge. I swear to you, I would give my whole fortune if faith such as
Bourgeat's could enter my brain."

Bianchon, who was with Desplein all through his last illness, dares not
affirm to this day that the great surgeon died an atheist. Will not those
who believe like to fancy that the humble Auvergnat came to open the
gate of Heaven to his friend, as he did that of the earthly temple on

whose pediment we read the words--"A grateful country to its great
men."

PARIS, January 1836.

ADDENDUM
The following personages appear in other stories of the Human
Comedy.
Bianchon, Horace Father Goriot Cesar Birotteau The Commission in
Lunacy Lost Illusions A Distinguished Provincial at Paris A Bachelor's
Establishment The Secrets of a Princess The Government Clerks
Pierrette A Study of Woman Scenes from a Courtesan's Life Honorine
The Seamy Side of History The Magic Skin A Second Home A Prince
of Bohemia Letters of Two Brides The Muse of the Department The
Imaginary Mistress The Middle Classes Cousin Betty The Country
Parson In addition, M. Bianchon narrated the following: Another Study
of Woman La Grande Breteche
Desplein Cousin Pons Lost Illusions The Thirteen The Government
Clerks Pierrette A Bachelor's Establishment The Seamy Side of History
Modeste Mignon Scenes from a Courtesan's Life Honorine

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