rsons he intimately knew
before or after conversion,) and hence, when questioned by the
professors about what he might know of his correspondent, he answered
that he knew nothing; but the fact of his intimacy and acquaintance with
the ex-parsons Strongly and H----, his friends and patrons, was "a good
sign of his honesty and honor." The shrewd Jesuit professors smiling at
the poor child's credulous and confiding disposition, told him that, as
he had such an opinion of the worth and honor of the fraternity of
dominies, he might commit his brother to the charge of one, and
especially as he stood in very great danger to his faith and morals
where he was at present. His situation might be ameliorated, but could
not be much worse; but the good fathers declined taking the
responsibility of giving a decision on the subject.

"The letter promised what was fair and honorable, but there might be
deception," said they.

"Deception, reverend fathers!" said Paul. "I can't suspect any such
thing in one so intimate with my dearest and best friends, the converted
clergymen in Vermont."

"Well," said the sons of Ignatius, whose wise experience had taught them
to have little faith in heretical parsons, "you can use your own
discretion, my child."

Paul, acting on the impulse of his own feelings, thinking it would be a
rash judgment in him to suspect evil design in one who professed himself
favorable to Catholicity, and, besides, was of the same sentiments in
religion, or nearly the same, with his convert friends in Vermont,
immediately wrote in answer to Dr. Dilman, consenting to have Eugene go
with him. But there was to be no legal binding in the matter, and honor
was to be the only bond under which his younger brother was to be held
bound.

The day now arrived for Eugene to part--alas! that it should be
forever--from the society of his brother and sister. At first, some
opposition was made by Patrick and Bridget; but when shown the letter of
their brother Paul, they were reconciled to what they thought the
temporary separation. Eugene himself was calmed, and his sorrow turned
into joy, by being told that he was going towards where Paul was, and
that, like enough, he would meet him on his way.

"Can I see Paul there?" said he, drying the tears that stood in his
eyes.

"Sartain you can. Don't you like that, Bob?" said Reuben, who was in
the plot with Dilman.

"Well, I'll go, then," said the child. "Good by, Bid; good by, Pat.