"I have thought the matter over, but no such plan occurs to me," replied Constance. "He rarely quits the house, and were I to propose to him to take a journey, or pay a visit, he would immediately suspect I had an object in doing so. But even if he were willing to go, my Aunt Butler I am sure would object." "Is she not aware that I am in the house?" "No, Monica and I thought it better not to trust her. She could not keep the secret from Father Jerome." "Then since the evil cannot be remedied it must be endured," said Atherton. "That is the right way to view it," rejoined Constance. "Not till the moment of your departure must Father Jerome learn that you have taken refuge here. And now, adieu!" CHAPTER V. A POINT OF FAITH. Left alone, Atherton endeavoured to reconcile himself to his imprisonment, but with very indifferent success. How he longed to join the party downstairs--to go forth into the garden or the park--to do anything, in short, rather than remain shut up in those gloomy rooms! But stay there he must!--so he amused himself as well as he could by looking into the cupboards with which the rooms abounded. In the course of his examination he found some books, and with these he contrived to beguile the time till old Markland made his appearance. The old butler brought with him a well-filled basket, from which he produced the materials of a very good cold dinner, including a flask of wine; and a cloth being spread upon a small table in the room we have described as less gloomy than the other apartments, the young man sat down to the repast. "I have had some difficulty in bringing you these provisions, sir," observed Markland. "Father Jerome has been playing the spy upon me all the morning--hovering about my room, so that I couldn't stir without running against him. Whether he heard anything last night I can't say, but I'm sure he suspects you are hidden in the house." "What if he does suspect, Markland?" observed Atherton. "Do you think he would betray me? If you believe so, you must have a very bad opinion of him." "I can tell you one thing, sir; he was far from pleased when he heard of your escape, and wished it had been Captain Dawson instead. I told him I thought you might seek refuge here, and he said he hoped not; adding, 'If you were foolish enough to do so you would certainly be discovered.' I repeated these observations to Miss Rawcliffe, and she agreed with me that they argued an ill-feeling towards you." "What can I have done to offend him?" exclaimed Atherton. "I don't know, sir, except that you are heir to the property. But give yourself no uneasiness. I will take care he shan't harm you. Don't on any account leave these rooms till you see me again." "Has Father Jerome access to this part of the house, Markland?" "No; I keep the door of the gallery constantly locked; and he is not aware of the secret entrance to the library." "Are you sure of that?" "Quite sure, sir. I never heard him allude to it."