“'He is a Monsignore, then?” asked Grounsell.
'“He is,' replied I, 'and may even yet be more than that.'”
“This was rash, Michel,—this was all imprudence,” said D'Esmonde, with a heavy sigh. “Go on; what said he then?”
“He waited while I told him that we sought for no advantages on the score of this relationship; that we preferred no claims whatever against the estate of Mr. Godfrey; that we only sought to bury in oblivion a great crime, and to prevent the publicity of a great shame.
“'It is your belief, then,' said he, staring me fully in the face, 'that Dalton was guilty?'
“'From what is before me,' replied I, 'it is hard to reject that conclusion.'
“'And that this was an act of pure revenge?'
“'Less that, perhaps, than the hope of succeeding to the property by some will of early date; at least, such is the version Meekins's informant gave him.'
“'Ay, ay,' said he, 'that would constitute a motive, of course. Your advice is, then, that we should make terms with this fellow? Is this also your friend's counsel?'
“'I scarcely can tell you,' replied I 'My friend is not in any sense a worldly man. His whole thoughts are centred in the cause he serves, and he could only see good or evil in its working on the Church. If his cousins—'