Because, for reasons of my own, I had forsworn
matrimony, as I then thought, for all time. But Madame Grundy has
lately revived this scandal, making a lash for my back with it for the
hands of Dame Rumour. I have determined to stamp it out at once, and
for ever! And now to pull down the bulwarks of Major Delrose." And
holding up his hand, a signal agreed on with his servant, Sims at once
ushered a priest and a small boy, who was masked, and who walked, as
if asleep, up to the head of the room. Father Lefroy, saying a word to
the nun in an undertone, lifted the boy to a chair beside her; now,
standing beside them, in calm measured tones, he spoke as follows:--
"We priests of the church have too many strange experiences to be very
much astonished at any new one, yet I must say that to hear the words,
on oath, of one of our pious sisterhood doubted is a novel sensation.
Major Delrose is unwise in his present course of action, as he has by
such prolonged a most painful duty on the part of the church. Sir
Lionel Trevalyon will pardon me for saying he was wrong in wearing the
mantle of dishonour for another; the lining, a good motive, was unseen
by the jealous eye of society, hence, when the lash was put into her
hands by revenge or envy, her motive power, it, the lash, went down;
Sir Lionel Trevalyon has had his punishment.
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