in which short conversations are had

"Were you and this woman going to marry?" Maggie tried to imagine the priest as a married man, and could not.

"My order would not allow it. But we wished to be together in some fashion. When we were discovered, I was asked to leave." His voice had grown quiet again. "And now you know what happened."

"I am sorry, priest."

"It was my fault. I believed I was right, but I could not swear to serve God with one breath and then break that vow with another."

"Now we have both shared a secret," Maggie said.

"What have you told me that was such a secret?" the priest asked. He lifted his head enough to look at her.

"Have you ever known me to fear anything?"

( He seemed to think about this. )

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