"That is true. I believe Protestants do not honor her as we do. But, Lucy, you know how we used to read the 'Imitation of Christ' over and over. Mother Superior always had it by her when she was ill, and there is not a word in that about the mother of God, any more than in Mrs. Thorpe's prayer." "That is true enough; I never thought of it before," I answered. Then—changing the subject—"Are you glad, or sorry, that we are not to go to Highbeck Hall directly?" "Glad, on the whole," answered Amabel. "It will give us a little time to rest, and get used to English ways. Come, let us say our prayers, and get ready for night. Those little white beds look so nice after the berths on board ship." They did, indeed, but I had one question more. "Amabel, what do you think of Mr. Cheriton?" "I don't think of him at all;—why should I?" answered Amabel, a little shortly. "Come, let us go to bed." And so ended our first day in England; but I think Amabel did think a little bit about the tall young rector after all. [Illustration] CHAPTER IX. LADY THROCKMORTON. THE next day Father Brousseau came to see us. We had been so hurried and flurried at the time of our landing the day before, that we had hardly exchanged a dozen words, and now he came to bid us farewell before going to his friends in the country. They had sent some one to meet him—a gentleman-in-waiting of some kind, and a very solemn and dignified person indeed, who accompanied him to our house. He had furnished the good priest with a suit of raiment, such as is worn by ordinary English clergymen, not wishing, I suppose, to have him attract notice as a foreigner. There were at the time considerable disturbances in the country. A French war was impending, and an apprehended rising of the Jacobites, or adherents to the house of Stuart, which really took place the next year, had awakened the "no popery" feeling, always prevailing more or less in the lower and middle classes. I must say he had not succeeded very well in disguising him, for Father Brousseau looked, if possible, more priestly than ever. He was to leave town that very day, and it was easy to see that the serving-man was anxious to get him away. Indeed, he made his impatience so manifest, that our leave-taking was rather a hurried one. The father gave us some advice as to our conduct, enjoined it upon us to read no heretical books, and attend no heretical services, to say our prayers and keep at home, and to be guided by Mrs. Thorpe in all things not belonging to our religion. He gave us each a little picture, and his blessing, and bade us farewell. I did not see him for many a year afterward, when times were greatly changed for both of us.