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If the father had produced arguments, Friar Fazio would not have

failed to oppose them; but these mysterious words, he concluded,

must contain a solution of all his doubts. He acquiesced, saying,

"Very well; you know more than I do."

Father Christopher then turned to our little company, who were

standing in suspense, by the light of a lamp which was flickering

before the altar. "Children," said he, "thank the Lord, who has

preserved you from great peril. Perhaps at this moment--" and he

entered into an explanation of the reasons which had induced him

to send for them to the convent, little suspecting that they knew

more than he did, and supposing that Menico had found them

tranquil at their home, before the arrival of the robbers. No one

undeceived him, not even Lucy, although suffering the keenest

anguish at practising dissimulation with such a man; but it was a

night of confusion and duplicity.