f I
refrain from doing this, I am in duty bound to demand a sufficient
recompense, not for myself--far be it from me to claim any earthly
reward, for my labours are for the benefit of our Holy Mother Church,
whose devoted servant I am. Here you will see I know the exact value of
your property, and its rental. This paper contains my terms: if you
agree to them, well and good--if not, you know the consequences. I
leave you for half an hour to consider over the matter, while I go and
pay my respects to the marchioness; she is a wise woman and a faithful
daughter of the church. I doubt not how she will decide."

Now Father Mendez was excessively clever and acute, but Don Anibal
Villavicencio's cunning had been sharpened in the school of adversity.
He looked up with an innocent expression of countenance, and asked--

"How do I know that the child you speak of is in existence? Pardon me
for putting so rude a question, father. Where is he to be found? Give
me particulars which will enable me to judge whether I am making a fair
bargain with you."

The father smiled at Don Anibal's frankness; he was in no way offended
at the doubt cast on his veracity; he liked people to be open with him;
it gave him, he thought, more power over them. He knew that the marquis
could have no interest in bringing the child from Shetland, and as that
island was a long way off, he was not likely to set off there to verify
the accounts he might give. He might, therefore, have told him any
story he pleased. In this instance, however, as it answered his purpose
to speak the truth, seeing that the truth would have more influence with
Don Anibal than any tale he could invent, he told him all that had
occurred, and gave him a full description of Lunnasting, and its
position. The marquis had learnt to conceal his thoughts as well as the
priest; he assumed a dull and indifferent air as Father Mendez continued
his account.

"I see the justice of your remark, father, and rest assured that I will
do my duty," he answered, with a twirl of his moustache and a stiff bow
of the head. "The child is heir, you tell me, to a good property in
this far-off island of Shetland, of which till now I never heard; he may
well be content with that; indeed it is clear that he would be out of
his element as the possessor of an estate like this; besides, as you
wisely remark, he will be brought up as an heretic. Yes, father, my
conscience is at rest; I feel that I