TABLE OF CONTENTS
| CHAPTER | [I] |
| CHAPTER | [II] |
| CHAPTER | [III] |
| CHAPTER | [IV] |
| CHAPTER | [V] |
| CHAPTER | [VI] |
| CHAPTER | [VII] |
| CHAPTER | [VIII] |
| CHAPTER | [IX] |
| CHAPTER | [X] |
| CHAPTER | [XI] |
| CHAPTER | [XII] |
| CHAPTER | [XIII] |
| CHAPTER | [XIV] |
| CHAPTER | [XV] |
| CHAPTER | [XVI] |
| CHAPTER | [XVII] |
[CHAPTER I]
One day, at dinner, Father Francis let them know that he was ordered to another part of the county, and should no longer be able to enjoy their hospitality. "I am sorry for it," said Griffith, heartily; and Mrs. Gaunt echoed him out of politeness; but, when husband and wife came to talk it over in private, she let out all of a sudden, and for the first time, that the spiritual coldness of her governor had been a great misfortune to her all these years. "His mind," said she, "is set on earthly things. Instead of helping the angels to raise my thoughts to heaven, and heavenly things, he drags me down to earth. Oh, that man's soul was born without wings."
Griffith ventured to suggest that Francis was, nevertheless, an honest man, and no mischief-maker.
Mrs. Gaunt soon disposed of this. "Oh, there are plenty of honest men in the world," said she; "but in one's spiritual director, one needs something more than that, and I have pined for it like a thirsty soul in the desert all these years. Poor good man, I love him dearly; but, thank heaven, he is going."
The next time Francis came, Mrs. Gaunt took an opportunity to inquire, but in the most delicate way, who was to be his successor.
"Well," said he, "I fear you will have no one for the present: I mean no one very fit to direct you in practical matters; but in all that tends directly to the welfare of the soul you will have one young in years but old in good works, and very much my superior in piety."
"I think you do yourself injustice, father," said Mrs. Gaunt, sweetly. She was always polite; and, to be always polite, you must be sometimes insincere.