six
o’clock
He pondered over the words of the ` Imitation : ' ` It is a great art to know how to talk with Jesus , and it requires much prudence to keep Him near one . ' And then , with adorable condescension , Jesus came down to him , and spoke with him for hours of his needs , his happiness , and his hopes . Their confidences were not less affectionate and touching than those of two friends , who meet after long separation and quietly retire to converse on the bank of some lonely stream ; for during those hours of divine condescension Jesus deigned to be his friend , his best , most faithful friend , one who never forsook him , and who in return for a little love gave him all the treasures of eternal life . That day the priest was eager to prolong the sweet converse , and indeed , when six o'clock sounded through the quiet church , he was still listening to the words which echoed through his soul . On his side there was unreserved confession , unimpeded by the restraints of language , natural effusion of the heart which spoke even more quickly than the mind . Abbe Mouret told everything to Jesus , as to a God who had come down in all the intimacy of the most loving tenderness , and who would listen to everything . He confessed that he still loved Albine ; and he was surprised that he had been able to speak sternly to her and drive her away , without his whole being breaking out into revolt .