od legal reasons to expect that he can secure you an
equal share of your uncle's estate with your cousin."

"I hope he will do no such thing, sir. I am quite satisfied."

"But he and the witnesses to the _other will_ are not, because there
are very important public and religious interests involved in its loss."

"If that is the case, I can only object so far as I am individually
concerned," said May; "but I hope most earnestly that Mr. Fielding will
let the matter rest a short time longer--a few months, for the longer I
think of it that I did not burn the will, and I feel a presentiment
that it will come to light," said May, earnestly.

"And you will not give your consent, as one of the heirs, to go to law?"

"Not yet--not yet, Father. Let us wait a little. If it is mislaid, it
may be found; if any one has wronged me by secreting it, they may
repent."

"Was there ever such a wild goose on earth?" said Father Fabian,
laughing. "You know as much about the world _now_, May, as you did
eighteen years ago, when you were just two months old."

"But, Father, you have always taught me to have faith in God, and told
me in all difficulties to have recourse to him and the Blessed Virgin.
If it is for his glory, and the good of his creatures, the lost will
will be found," she said, earnestly.

"You are right, my child. God's holy will be done," said Father
Fabian, lifting his _bounet-carre_ from his brow. "But, having turned
a theological point against me, can you explain your most obstinate
refusal to accept of Mr. Fielding's and Mr. Jerrold's kind offers of a
home, where ease, luxury, and elegance would attend you? You seem
determined to take a stand against your interests in every way. What
rational objection can you oppose to their offers?"

"Dear Father, are you displeased with your poor child?" asked May, with
humility.

"To be frank, my dear child, I consider your conduct a little unusual,"
said Father Fabian, looking down to conceal the smile that brightened
his eyes. "How could you act so?"

"Simply and frankly because I wished to be _free_."

"Woman's rights! As I suspected, woman's rights!" exclaimed Father
Fabian, lifting his hands with horror.

"_Soul's rights_, Father! _Soul's rights!_" said May, in an
impassioned manner. "I could not live with Helen in peace without
spiritual bondage. Her way of life would leave me no neutral ground to
stand on. She has forsaken her religion; every act of