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"The law is a good one, my dear son; and if our weight of

affliction does not permit us to enforce it, is that a reason why

an honest man should infringe it?"

"But, Father Christopher, Lucy should have been my wife; you know

how we have been separated; it is twenty months since I have

suffered, and taken my misfortunes patiently; I have come here,

risking every thing to behold her, and now--"

"I know not what to say," resumed the friar; "you are, no doubt,

guided by a praiseworthy motive; would to God that all those who

have free access to these places conducted themselves as well as

I am sure you will. God, who certainly blesses thy perseverance

of affection, thy fidelity in desiring and seeking her whom he

has given thee, God, who is more rigorous than man, but also more

indulgent, will not regard what may be irregular in this enquiry

for one so dear."