"I have grounded her in all her studies, and if she continues with me she will be thoroughly well instructed in many branches. But there are some things I can not teach her. I know that all too well."
"And those are precisely what the child would learn at a convent school," I put in eagerly.
"Think for a moment," he exclaimed vehemently, "what such a parting would mean to me! I am old. I might never see her again. Even if I can rely on your good faith once you are out of my sight, I will forever stand in fear of some evil befalling her, some mischance which would upset all my plans."
"I thought you intended to take her to America yourself?" I said.
"Yes; to find her father, and to persuade him to come back with us to his native land."
"But he might refuse."
"That would be unlikely, unless he was married again. In that case, I would bring Winifred back to be lady of the castle."
I sat thoughtful, musing over this plan, which seemed like a dream of romance. But Niall's voice broke in on my musings:
"Should I let the child go with you, it is on condition that she does not see Roderick until I give my consent; and should I want her back here in the meantime, she must come."
"She is not to see her father?"