"Send for Father Cameril," urged Paula.
"What is Leonard's address?" asked the lady, ignoring the suggestion.
"Dear," said Paula, caressingly, and taking Natalie's hand, "where is Leonard?"
"In hell," was the answer. "I am overjoyed in hearing the howlings of hell. My joy is increased as I gaze upon Leonard in the midst of that sea of suffering."
"Good Lord deliver us!" ejaculated Mrs. Joe. Paula fell upon her knees. "Father in heaven!" she commenced.
Natalie looked at her with languid interest "The sight of hell-torments exalts the happiness of the saints," she said.
At this delectable quotation from Jonathan Edwards Mrs. Joe wrung her hands; Paula uttered a half scream and burst into tears; in the same moment Dr. Stanley was ushered into the room.
"A frightful shock!" was his verdict. "Absolute quiet! No tears; no exorcisms," with a warning finger upheld for Paula. "I'll send a nurse at once and return soon."
By night he was again in the house, having received bulletins from the nurse in the meanwhile. The patient was asleep; had been so for nearly three hours. "Excellent!" he said to Mrs. Joe, finding that lady awaiting his report in the library. "It's a fine brain, Mrs. Claghorn. Let us hope it may prove a strong one. Can you explain further than you could this afternoon?"
"The keeper of the cemetery knows nothing. Her maids are here. I sent James for them, and have kept them to be questioned by you."