le one, I do submit to thy hat and feather; only be quick, or
I shall go forth without thee."

"If you dare," said Rose impetuously; "for I won't be half a moment."

She ran and extorted from Ryder the new hat and feather, which by rights
she was not to have worn until next month.

Griffith and his little girl went all over the well-known premises, he
sad and moody, she excited and chattering, and nodding her head down,
and cocking her eye up every now and then, to get a glimpse of her
feather.

"And don't you go away again, dear papa. It _tis_ so dull without you.
Nobody comes here. Mamma won't let 'em."

"Nobody except Father Leonard," said Griffith, bitterly.

"Father Leonard? Why, he never comes here. Leonard! That is the
beautiful priest that used to pat me on the head, and bid me love and
honor my parents. And so I do. Only mamma is always crying, and you keep
away; so how can I love and honor you, when I never see you, and they
keep telling me you are good for nothing, and dead."

"My young mistress, when did you see Father Leonard last?" said
Griffith, gnawing his lip.

"How can I tell? Why, it was miles ago; when I was a mere girl. You know
he went away before you did."

"I know nothing of the kind. Tell me the truth now. He has visited here
since I went away."

"Nay, papa."

"That is strange. She visits him, then?"

"What, mamma? She seldom stirs out; and never beyond the village. We
keep no carriage now. Mamma is turned such a miser. She is afraid you
will be poor; so she puts it all by for you. But now you are come, we
shall have carriages and things again. O, by the by, Father Leonard! I
heard them say he had left England, so I did."

"When was that?"

"Well, I think that was a little bit after you went away."

"That is strange," said Griffith, thoughtfully.

He led his little girl by the hand, but scarcely listened to her
prattle; he was so surprised and puzzled by the information he had
elicited from her.

Upon the whole, however, he concluded that his wife and the priest had
perhaps been smitten with remorse, and had parted--when it was too late.

This, and the peace of mind he had found elsewhere, somewhat softened
his feelings towards them. "So," thought he, "they were not hardened
creatures after all. Poor Kate!"

As these milder feelings gained on him, Rose suddenly uttered a joyful
cry; and, looking up, he saw Mrs. Gaunt coming towards him, and Ryder
behind her. Both were in