eakfast being prepared; for the delay of which I trust Father Mathias
will accept my apology."

Philip then left the room and went into the kitchen. Having ordered
what was requisite to be taken into the parlour, he put on his hat and
walked out of the house. He could not eat; his mind was in a state of
confusion; the events of the morning had been too harassing and
exciting, and he felt as if the fresh air was necessary to his
existence.

As he proceeded, careless in which direction, he met many with whom he
had been acquainted, and from whom he had received condolence at his
supposed bereavement, and congratulations when they learnt from him that
the danger was over; and from them he also learnt how fatal had been the
pestilence.

Not one-third of the inhabitants of Terneuse and the surrounding country
remained alive, and those who had recovered were in a state of
exhaustion, which prevented them from returning to their accustomed
occupations. They had combated disease, but remained the prey of misery
and want; and Philip mentally vowed that he would appropriate all his
savings to the relief of those around him. It was not until more than
two hours had passed away that Philip returned to the cottage. On his
arrival he found that Amine still slumbered, and the two priests were in
conversation below.

"My son," said Father Seysen, "let us now have a little explanation. I
have had a long conference with this good father, who hath much
interested me with his account of the extension of our holy religion
among the Pagans. He hath communicated to me much to rejoice at, and
much to grieve for; but, among other questions put to him, I have (in
consequence of what I have learnt during the mental alienation of your
wife) interrogated him upon the point of a supernatural appearance of a
vessel in the Eastern seas. You observe, Philip, that your secret is
known to me, or I could not have put that question. To my surprise he
hath stated a visitation of the kind to which he was eye-witness, and
which cannot reasonably be accounted for, except by supernatural
interposition. A strange and certainly most awful visitation! Philip,
would it not be better (instead of leaving me in a maze of doubt) that
you now confided to us both all the facts connected with this strange
history, so that we may ponder on them, and give you the benefit of
advice of those who are older than yourself, and who by their calling
may be able to