Pagina 175 di 1118

The contest still continued, when a trampling of sandals

announced Father Christopher. Agnes had barely time to whisper in

the ear of Lucy, "Be careful to tell him nothing," when the friar

entered.

CHAPTER VII.

"Peace be with you!" said the friar as he entered. "There is

nothing more to hope from man: so much the greater must be our

confidence in God; and I've already had a pledge of his

protection." None of the three entertained much hope from the

visit of Father Christopher: for it would have been not only an

unusual, but an absolutely unheard-of fact, for a nobleman to

desist from his criminal designs at the mere prayer of his

defenceless victim. Still, the sad certainty was a painful

stroke.