Father Cyril, well pleased to perceive that the kindly tenderness of
his heart was still untouched by his intercourse with the world, let
him gaze on for some time in silence, then laying his hand on his arm
said, "She is in peace. Mourn not that her sorrows are at an end,
her tears wiped away, but prepare to fulfil her last wishes, those
prayers in answer to which, as I fully believe, the Saints have sent
you at
the very moment of greatest need."

"Her last wishes?" said Eustace. "They shall be fulfilled to the
utmost as long as I have life or breath! Oh! had I but come in
time to hear them from herself, and give her my own pledge."

"Grieve not that her trust was not brought down to aught of earth,"
said Father Cyril. "She trusted in Heaven, and died in the sure
belief that her child would be guarded; and lo, his protector is
come, if, as I well believe, my son Eustace, you are not changed
from the boy who bade us farewell three years ago."

"If I am changed, it is not in my love for home, and for all who
dwell there," said Eustace, "or rather, I love them better than
before. Little did I dream what a meeting awaited me!" Again
there was a long pause, which Eustace at length broke by saying,
"What is the need you spoke of? What danger do you fear?"

"This is no scene for dwelling on the evil deeds of wicked men
otherwise than to pray for them," said the Priest; "but return
with me to the hall, and you shall hear."

Eustace lingered a few moments longer, before, heaving a deep sigh