Jules Sandeau (1811–1883)

This is the story of a village curate who gives all his money away to the poor and has none left to take care of his own meager needs. He does not even have a sou to buy new vestments to replace the ragged surplice he and his assistants wear. The festival of the patron saint of the village is coming up and the Priest's niece Catharine decides to take up a collection to refurbish the church and the wardrobe. However, she is warned not to go to the chateau of the Count de Sougeres, a notoriously wicked man. of course, you know, that is exactly where she goes. Instead of the count she meets his son Roger who is quite smitten with the attractive girl and gives her a large donation with the stipulation that she come and visit him again. He sends baskets of food to the church and silver candlesticks for the altar. Catharine is flattered by the attention at first but suspects an imminent assault upon her virtue. Her childhood beau, Claude, is furious with Roger's attentions [and 'intentions'] to Catharine and...but i shan't give away the plot. Read it!… (meer)