"'Tis better not to give him so much annoyance if it can be helped," rejoined the priest; "and though frankness is generally desirable, there are occasions when reticence is necessary. This is one of them. Have you the packet with you?" "Yes, 'tis here," she replied, producing it. "Give it me," he cried, taking it from her. "I will restore it to Sir Richard. He will then say nothing more to you. But mark me!" he added, gravely, "the secret you have thus accidentally obtained must be strictly kept. Breathe it to no one. And now I must not neglect to caution you on another point. Yesterday I saw this young man--this Atherton Legh--of whom we have just been speaking. He is very handsome, and well calculated to inspire regard in the female breast. I trust you have no such feeling for him." "Father," she replied, blushing deeply, "I will hide nothing from you. I love him." "I grieve to hear the avowal," he said. "But you must conquer the passion--'twill be easy to do so in the commencement. Sir Richard would never consent to your union with an obscure adventurer. I therefore forbid you in your father's name to think further of the young man. Any hopes you may have indulged must be crushed at once." "But I cannot--will not treat him in this way, father." "I charge you to dismiss him. Recollect you are the daughter and heiress of Sir Richard Rawcliffe. You have committed a great imprudence: but the error must be at once repaired. Disobedience to my injunctions would be as culpable as disobedience to your father, whom I represent. Again I say the young man must be dismissed." Before she could make any answer, the door opened, and the very person in question entered, accompanied by Monica. "He has come to receive his sentence," said the priest, in a low, unpitying tone. "Not now," she cried, with a supplicating look. "Yes, now," he rejoined, coldly. On this he went up to Monica, and telling her he had something to say, led her out of the room, leaving Atherton and Constance alone together. "I fear I have come at a most inopportune moment," said the young man, who could not fail to be struck by her embarrassment. "You have come at the close of a very severe lecture which I have just received from Father Jerome," she replied. "He blames me for the encouragement I have given you, and forbids me, in my father's name, to see you again." "But you do not mean to obey him?" cried Atherton. "Surely you will not allow him to exercise this control over you? He is acting without authority." "Not entirely without authority, for my father is guided by his advice in many things. This must be our last interview." "Oh! say not so. You drive me to despair. Give me some hope--however slight. May I speak to Sir Richard?" "'Twould be useless," she replied, sadly. "Father Jerome has convinced me that he never would consent to our union. No, we must part--part for ever!"