Lourdes

Before perusing this work, it is as well that the reader should understand M. Zola's aim in writing it, and his views – as distinct from those of his characters – upon Lourdes, its Grotto, and its cures. A short time before the book appeared M. Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer, Mr. Robert H. Sherard, to whom he spoke as follows: