ith a drawn face. But
appearances at least had been kept up to the end; the youth would never
know of the elder man's unrest.

V

Temptation had arrived with Gaston, but was destined to make a longer
stay at Santa Ysabel del Mar. Yet it was perhaps a week before the
priest knew this guest was come to abide with him. The guest could be
discreet, could withdraw, was not at first importunate.

Sail away on the barkentine? A wild notion, to be sure! although fit
enough to enter the brain of such a young scape-grace. The Padre shook
his head and smiled affectionately when he thought of Gaston Villere.
The youth's handsome, reckless countenance would shine out, smiling, in
his memory, and he repeated Auber's old remark, "Is it the good Lord,
or is it merely the devil, that always makes me have a weakness for
rascals?"

Sail away on the barkentine! Imagine taking leave of the people here--of
Felipe! In what words should he tell the boy to go on industriously with
his music? No, this was not imaginable! The mere parting alone would
make it for ever impossible to think of such a thing. "And then," he
said to himself each new morning, when he looked out at the ocean, "I
have given to them my life. One does not take back a gift."

Pictures of his departure began to shine and melt in his drifting fancy.
He saw himself explaining to Felipe that now his presence was wanted
elsewhere; that than would come a successor to take care of Santa
Ysabel--a younger man, more useful, and able to visit sick people at a
distance.

"For I am old now. I should not be long has in any case." He stopped
and pressed his hands together; he had caught his Temptation in the very
act. Now he sat staring at his Temptation's face, close to him, while
then in the triangle two ships went sailing by.

One morning Felipe told him that the barkentine was here on its return
voyage south. "Indeed." said the Padre, coldly. "The things are ready to
go, I think." For the vessel called for mail and certain boxes that the
mission sent away. Felipe left the room in wonder at the Padre's manner.
But the priest was laughing secretly to see how little it was to him
where the barkentine was, or whether it should be coming or going. But
in the afternoon, at his piano, he found himself saying, "Other ships
call here, at any rate." And then for the first time he prayed to be
delivered from his thoughts. Yet presently he left his seat and looked
out of the window