imagine how kind."

"I can well believe it; he is a man whom no one can fail to admire--a
most noble and beautiful nature. I have met priests who were out in
China with him; and they had no words high enough to praise his energy
and courage under all hardships, and his unfailing devotion. You are
fortunate to have had in your youth the help and guidance of such a man.
I understood from him that you have lost both parents."

"Yes; my father died when I was a child, and my mother a year ago."

"Have you brothers and sisters?"

"No; I have step-brothers; but they were business men when I was in the
nursery."

"You must have had a lonely childhood; perhaps you value Canon
Montanelli's kindness the more for that. By the way, have you chosen a
confessor for the time of his absence?"

"I thought of going to one of the fathers of Santa Caterina, if they
have not too many penitents."

"Will you confess to me?"

Arthur opened his eyes in wonder.

"Reverend Father, of course I--should be glad; only----"

"Only the Director of a theological seminary does not usually receive
lay penitents? That is quite true. But I know Canon Montanelli takes
a great interest in you, and I fancy he is a little anxious on your
behalf--just as I should be if I were leaving a favourite pupil--and
would like to know you were under the spiritual guidance of his
colleague. And, to be quite frank with you, my son, I like you, and
should be glad to give you any help I can."

"If you put it that way, of course I shall be very grateful for your
guidance."

"Then you will come to me next month? That's right. And run in to see
me, my lad, when you have time any evening."

*****

Shortly before Easter Montanelli's appointment to the little see of
Brisighella, in the Etruscan Apennines, was officially announced. He
wrote to Arthur from Rome in a cheerful and tranquil spirit; evidently
his depression was passing over. "You must come to see me every
vacation," he wrote; "and I shall often be coming to Pisa; so I hope to
see a good deal of you, if not so much as I should wish."

Dr. Warren had invited Arthur to spend the Easter holidays with him and
his children, instead of in the dreary, rat-ridden old place where Julia
now reigned supreme. Enclosed in the letter was a short note, scrawled
in Gemma's childish, irregular handwriting, begging him to come if
possible, "as I want to talk to you about something." Still more
encouraging was the w