There was, however, a very lengthy document from Padre Cristoforo, which Brian and Elizabeth read with burning hearts and tearful or indignant eyes. In this letter, Padre Cristoforo set forth, calmly and dispassionately, what he knew of poor Dino's story, and there were many things in it which Brian learnt now for the first time. But the Prior said nothing about Elizabeth. When Brian had read the letter, he leaned over the table, and took his wife's hand as he spoke.
"Did you ever see him?" he asked.
"I saw a young man with Mr. Colquhoun on the day when he came to Netherglen. But I hardly remember his face."
"You would have loved him?"
"Yes," she said, "for your sake."
"And now, what shall we do? Now we are on our guard against Hugo. To think that any man should be so vile!"
"Our poor little Kitty!" murmured Elizabeth. "Surely she has found out her mistake. I could never understand that marriage. She looked very unhappy afterwards. But we were all unhappy then."
"I had forgotten what happiness was like until I saw your face again," said Brian.
"But about Hugo, love?" she said, replying to his glance with a smile, which showed that for her at least the fullest earthly bliss had been attained. "Can we not go to Netherglen and send him away? I do not like to think that he is with your mother."
"Nor I," said Brian. "Let us go and see."