the details of what passed to say on which side the
obstacle stood,--whether _he_ was indisposed to concede enough, or that
_you_ demanded too much. I only know that the negotiation was abortive,
and it is now with the hope of resuming the discussion--"

"Too late, sir,--too late," said the priest, peremptorily, while a very
slight but decisive motion of D'Esmonde's brows gave him encouragement
to be bold. "I did, it is true, take the step you allude to; a variety
of considerations had their influence over me. I felt interested about
the poor man Meekins, and was naturally anxious to screen from
the consequences of shame a very old and honored family of the
country--" Here he hesitated, for a warning glance from the Abbe
recalled him to caution.

"And you were about to allude to that more delicate part of the affair
which relates to Mr. Godfrey's son, sir?" interposed Hipsley, while
by an unmistakable gesture he showed his consciousness of D'Esmonde's
presence.

"I find, sir," said Cahill, coldly, "that we are gradually involving
ourselves in the very discussion I have already declined to engage in.
It is not here, nor by us, this cause must be determined. It would be
hard to persuade me that you should even counsel an interference with
the course of public justice."

"You are quite right, sir, in your estimate of me," said Hipsley,
bowing; "nor should I do so if I saw anything in this case but needless
exposure and great cruelty towards those who must necessarily be
guiltless, without one single good end obtained, except you could so
deem the gratification of public scandal by the harrowing tale of family
misfortune. Bear with me one moment more," said he, as a gesture of
impatience from Cahill showed that he wished an end of the interview.
"I will concede what I have no right to concede, and what I am in a
position to refute thoroughly,----the guilt of the party implicated;
upon whom will the punishment fall? on the aged uncle, a brave and
honored soldier, without the shadow of stain on his fair fame; on a
young and beautiful girl, whose life has already compassed more real
sorrow than old men like myself have ever known in all their career; and
on a youth, now stretched upon his sick-bed, and for whom humanity would
rather wish death itself than to come back into a world he must shrink
from with shame."

"'_Filius peccatoris exardebit in crimine patris_,'----the son of the
sinful man shall burn out in his fathe