likely to be caught in her net. Hence she had her mind fixed on Murty,
whom she regarded, as he really was, a young man of talent, and whose
dependent and menial condition she considered as calculated to balance
the disparity in their age, and as likely to insure her success. This
was why she felt so mortified at being detected by him in her late
attempt on the faith and resolution of Bridget, having, since her
designs on Murty, promised to let the orphans have their own way, after
having attempted to convince him that she was quite indifferent on the
subject of religion, and "that she would be very glad to know more from
him about the Catholic church."

The detection of her insincerity in this instance, and of the falsity
of her professions, put an end to all her further hopes regarding the
gallant young Irishman, who could not tolerate a falsehood in any body,
but especially in a lady, and who ever after avoided her society as much
as possible. His presence, however, in the house was a sure guaranty to
Bridget of full religious toleration, Amanda's fiery zeal for religion
being succeeded by a flame of a somewhat different nature.




CHAPTER XVIII.

"TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION."


We devote this chapter of our narrative to the record of a very strange
succession of circumstances, no less so, however, than true. They may
serve as an illustration of the wonderful and mysterious workings of