it, even after her consciousness was entirely
restored; she spoke lightly of her indisposition, attributing it
entirely to fatigue, though her sad and abstracted countenance shewed
that her mind was engrossed by some painful subject. She made no mention
of father Gilbert; and Lucie, of course, did not feel at liberty to
allude to him, though Annette had told her of their conference, and her
curiosity and interest were naturally excited to learn the particulars.
It could not but surprise her, that Mad. de la Tour should have been in
earnest conversation with the priest; for she had always shunned him,
and ever treated Lucie's fears as some strange deception of the
imagination.

M. de la Tour returned late in the evening of that day; but the shock
which his lady had received, whether mental or physical, again confined
her several days to her apartment. Lucie was convinced that this renewed
indisposition was, in some manner, connected with the appearance of
father Gilbert. She, at length, ventured to speak of him to her aunt;
but the subject evidently distressed her, though she confessed his
peculiar manners had at first alarmed her; adding, with an attempt at
gaiety, that he was probably scandalized at being so abruptly addressed
by a female and a heretic. With apparent indifference, she also asked
several questions of Lucie, respecting her accidental interviews with
the priest; thus betraying a new and uncommon interest, which
strengthened the suspicions of her niece. These suspicions were soon
after confirmed, by casually learning that La Tour had himself made
strict inquiries concerning father Gilbert; but he had withdrawn
himself, no person knew whither; though it was supposed to some of the
solitary haunts he was in the habit of frequenting.

Day after day passed away, the subject was not renewed, and other
thoughts gradually resumed their ascendancy in Lucie's mind. Stanhope
had returned to Boston, and previous to his departure he sought an
interview with La Tour, and formally requested the hand of Lucie. His
suit was, of course, rejected, though with unexpected courtesy; her
guardian alleged, that he had other views for her, which he considered
more advantageous; but expressed the highest personal regard for him,
and the utmost gratitude for the services he had so freely rendered.
When La Tour, however, found that Lucie was really fixed in her
attachment to Stanhope, and resolved against a marriage with De Valett