Percy had had time to consider, and he answered instantly.

"Certainly, I will promise that."

Mabel sighed contentedly.

"Well, that is all right. We are so much obliged.... And I think we may
say this, that perhaps after consideration my husband may see his way to
letting you come here again to do Communion and--and the other thing---"

Again that spasm shook the man beside her.

"Well, we will see about that. At any rate, we know your address, and
can let you know.... By the way, Father Franklin, are you going back to
Westminster to-night?"

He bowed.

"Ah! I hope you will get through. You will find London very much
excited. Perhaps you heard---"

"Felsenburgh?" said Percy.

"Yes. Julian Felsenburgh," said the girl softly, again with that strange
excitement suddenly alight in her eyes. "Julian Felsenburgh," she
repeated. "He is there, you know. He will stay in England for the
present."

Again Percy was conscious of that slight touch of fear at the mention of
that name.

"I understand there is to be peace," he said.

The girl rose and her husband with her.

"Yes," she said, almost compassionately, "there is to be peace. Peace at
last." (She moved half a step towards him, and her face glowed like a
rose of fire. Her hand rose a little.) "Go back to London, Father
Franklin, and use your eyes. You will see him, I dare say, and you will
see more besides." (Her voice began to vibrate.) "And you will
understand, perhaps, why we have treated you like this--why we are no
longer afraid of you--why we are willing that my mother should do its
she pleases. Oh! you will understand, Father Franklin if not to-night,
to-morrow; or if not to-morrow, at least in a very short time."

"Mabel!" cried her husband.

The girl wheeled, and threw her arms round him, and kissed him on the
mouth.

"Oh! I am not ashamed, Oliver, my dear. Let him go and see for himself.
Good-night, Father Franklin."

As he went towards the door, hearing the ping of the bell that some one
touched in the room behind him, he turned once more, dazed and
bewildered; and there were the two, husband and wife, standing in the
soft, sunny light, as if transfigured. The girl had her arm round the
man's shoulder, and stood upright and radiant as a pillar of fire; and
even on the man's face there was no anger now--nothing but an almost
supernatural pride and confidence. They were both smiling.

Then Percy passed out into the soft, summer night.