Now Mantelle had only seen Jo’s adopted daughter at a distance. Having no authority over the parish of St. Michael’s he had not connected the girl’s past with the institution there. He had asked Longville whence Mam’selle Morey had brought the girl, but as Longville did not know, he had let the matter drop as non-essential, but it puzzled him. "You think it wise to keep the child in Point of Pines?" he asked. "You think it for her good, after all these years, to—to bring the unfortunate past to the—the surface?" "Yes," Jo answered and her lips drew close. She was thinking of Dan Kelly, but she believed Father Mantelle and she could outwit him. "My daughter, do you think this would be fair to the girl?" "Why not?" "Is it right, or just, that she should suffer for the wrong of a—another?" "No, it is not right." Jo said this as a general truth. "But you think your money can buy favour? Mam’selle, you are wrong. There are some things money, not even years of blameless life, can buy. "Your people, I am sure, have treated you kindly, compassionately, and they will continue to do so, if you show the proper spirit. But you must not, daughter, think that gold can wipe away the result of defiance to the laws of God and man. You must be repentant, prove that you have the best interests of this girl at heart, and then, then only can the future be secure." The thin, delicate face was pale and stern, the deep eyes burned. Not only the sanctity of Mantelle’s authority, but his position among men was being questioned by the woman before him. And Jo was defiant, there was no doubt about that. "Your kind heart, daughter, has betrayed you into error. Before bringing this child here you should have consulted me. Much might have been saved for us all." "What would you have advised?" Mam’selle dropped her eyes and the forbidding brows seemed to hide every kindly expression of her face. "I should have strongly advised against letting the innocent suffer for the guilty!" Mantelle’s voice was stern. "Yes, but she had to have a home; care, the best possible." "To give that, daughter, is not in your power. In violating the most sacred emotions of life, in spurning the very safeguards of society, you put yourself outside the pale, as far as the child’s best good is concerned. Women should fully understand this before they take the fatal step. The price must be paid! If, by assuming your duty at this late day you could condone the past, I would help you, but I cannot advise keeping this girl here. For her truest good, she should be saved, where only such unfortunates can be saved." "And that is?" Mam’selle’s voice was slow and even. "In the bosom of the church, daughter. Send the child to St. Michael’s; let them train her there for a life of devotion and service in a field where temptation, inherited weakness——" Mantelle got no further for Jo—laughed! The priest rose in his chair, white with anger.