CHAPTER V.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 23, 8 June 1899, Page 24

CHAPTER V.

As soon as Lord Harlath had awakened out of the lethargy of grief on the death of his heir, a desire came upon him to give toe vacant place in his hopes and ambitions to the son of his greanjt friend by marrying the young man to his heiress, and he was oonsequently much gratified one morning (the morning before that on which Mechtslde's imprisonment ended) on receiving a letter from James Durrant, asking permission to pay his addresses toMechtilde, and mentioning his desire to return immediately to Harlath for that purpose. Therefore it may be understood how disappointed the choleric old gentleman would be on learning that his pet scheme was ruined by what he could view in no light save that of a girl's fanaticism.

On Durrant's departure he summoned Meohtilde to his presence, and flew into such a fearful rage that he appeared to quite lose his reason, and even descended to personal violence, seizing the girl

brutally by the arm and shaking her. As soon as it was possible to escape from his clutch, she fled to her room and fell fainting on the floor, where she was presently found by the housemaid and put to bed.

After a little she came to, but only to faint again, and then the servants, becoming nervous, sent for a doctor, who pronounced the girl's illness to arise from «hook to the system. Next day she was in hitrh fever, and Lord Harlath at this, to him unexpected and very disquieting result of his unkindness (if PUch a term, be strong enough for li f — rond'ic) beenme the victim of very salutary remorse. Nay. more than that, the sufferings of his child touched the one <=oft ipot in hi^ hear*-, and he be;tnn to love her with a devotion of which no one would have supposed him capable. He sought out Mrs. Talbot. and persraded her (no difficult task) to come and nurse her adopted daughter, and the knowledge of this kindness, and many small acts of attention, contributed ns much. perhaps, towards Mech tilde's recovery as the careful tending of her old friend. Yet many weeks, even months, passed before the girl regained health, remaning all the autumn ani winter a semiinvjilid ; but the first spring days began to make her feel herself once more, and then Mrs. Talbot return- d to Kilmoro to make it ready for a long visit its heiress was now to pay. An event, however, was destined to take place which changed this plan, and when Mechtilde returned to Ireland it was under even happier circumstances than could have been expected.

It happened that one April Sunday. Mechtilde. on going into chapel for Mass, and taking her usnal seat, suddenly saw in front of her a figure the image of which had, despite all efforts to banish it, haunted her thoughts for many months. She could not at first believe her eyes, taking the apparition for a trick of fancy, but as the figure — though always in a motionless attitude of unobtrusive devotion — did not vanish, another explanation — the possibility of its being a ' wraith ' — presented itself, making the blood run cold in her veins.

Nevertheless, when Mass began, the ceremony absorbed all her attention, if she did not actually feel reassured until the clasp of a human hand proved, as she passed out of the church door, that James Durrant was there in the body. Then the hearts of both, being too full for words, they walked along together for some time in silence, he being eventually the first to speak. ' You see I am a Catholic now,' he said.

' How much God loves us '' was her simple answer, and the saintly light James Durrant had once before seen illuminate her face shone over it again. He bowed his head. ' Dearest, it waß your perfect goodness that first led me to enquire into the teachings of the Church. 1 ' I shall thank God every day that he has also revealed Himself to you,' she replied. ' Mechtilde, it was your cross that won for me the crowning grace. But God also requires from me now a sacrifice. Dearest love, I have come to say good-bye for ever.' She started a little.

' Why for ever ?' ' Because I sail next week for Australia, to try and make there a livelihood as best I may. Since my change of faith nay father has disowned and disinherited me. Lord Harlath would not give you to me now." He stooped to kiss her face, and turned to go. but she staved him. asking that he should come and bid her father farewell also. and at that moment they caught sight of the old lord coming along to meet his daughter. They quickened their steps and presently joined him — to his great surprise — as he could not at all account for James' presence. However, the young fellow lost no time in telling his story, which the old man »eemerl to listen to with great interest indeed, but with very little sympathy for .lames' change of fortune. Indeed, had the lovers not been far too sadly occupied with ea-h other to heed him they might have heard bioi chuckling to himself as at a good joke.