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 I]
"DEAR FATHER AND FRIEND,—The words you spoke to me to-day admit but one meaning; you are jealous of my husband.
"Then you must be—how can I write it?—almost in love with me."
"So then my poor husband was wiser than I. He saw a rival in you: and he has one.
"I am deeply, deeply shocked. I ought to be very angry too; but, thinking of your solitary condition, and all the good you have done to my soul, my heart has no place for ought but pity. Only, as I am in my senses, and you are not, you must now obey me, as heretofore I have obeyed you. You must seek another sphere of duty without delay.
"These seem harsh words from me to you. You will live to see they are kind ones.
"Write me one line, and no more, to say you will be ruled by me in this.
"God and the saints have you in their holy keeping. So prays your affectionate and
"Sorrowful daughter and true friend,
"CATHERINE GAUNT."
"Poor soul!" said Griffith. "Said I not that women are not wicked, but weak? Who would think that after this he could get the better of her good resolves—the villain!"
"Now read his reply," said Father Francis.
"Ay," said Griffith. "So this is his one word of reply, is it? three pages closely writ—the villain, oh the villain!"
"Read the villain's letter," said Francis, calmly.