omething on your mind, which you would fain
unburthen; and why should you hesitate to speak it to me?"

"Perhaps it is an idle curiosity, dear aunt," she replied; "but you
asked if father Gilbert was coming hither _again_, as though he had
already been here; and, I confess, I am anxious to learn if I understood
you correctly?"

"You did, Lucie; and you will be more surprised when I assure you, that
I held a long conference with him this morning: one too, in which _you_
are particularly concerned."

"_I_ concerned! _you_ hold a conference with father Gilbert!" said
Lucie, in unfeigned astonishment; "dearest aunt, I entreat you to
explain yourself."

"The explanation must necessarily be long, Lucie," she replied; "and as
I know your feelings will be deeply excited, I fear the agitating events
of this day have scarcely left you strength and spirits, to bear the
recital. To-morrow"--

"Oh, now, dear aunt!" interrupted Lucie; "I am well, indeed, and can
bear any thing better than suspense. I too, have seen the priest to-day,
and his look,--his manner was so changed, yet still so unaccountable,
that he has not been since one instant from my mind."

"Where did you see him, Lucie?" asked Mad. de la Tour; "and why should
you conceal the interview from me?"

Lucie, who, till this incidental recurrence to father Gilbert, had
avoided mentioning even his name, since she found the subject so
embarrassing to her aunt, gladly relieved her mind, by relating the
particulars of her rencontre with him in the morning, and described the
deep interest with which he seemed to be watching her recovery. Madame
de la Tour listened attentively to her recital, but apparently without
surprise; and after a short pause, which was evidently employed in
painful reflection, she said,

"It is time that all this mystery should be explained to you, Lucie;
for, what I have so long attributed to the influence of your
imagination, is now more rationally accounted for, though until a few
hours since, I was, myself, ignorant of many facts, which I am about to
relate to you. But I must first beg you to close the window; the air
grows cool, and I should also be loath to have our discourse reach the
ears of any loiterer."

Lucie obeyed in silence; and drawing her chair closer to her aunt, she
prepared to listen, with almost breathless attention.

"I must revert to the period of your mother's marriage, Lucie," said
Madame de la Tour, "and, as briefly as