‘Oh,’ said the priest, ‘you should have brought him to Italy and placed him in the school of the Monastery of St. Joseph.’
‘Yes, holy father, I ought to have brought him up in the true faith. I hear his father is dead; I hear they believe there is no heir; I hear the brother and his family are now in possession of the estate. I know all about them. They are of the Low Church school which hates our faith, abuses its priests, and even the Holy Father—’
‘Hush!’ said the priest, ‘do not sully your lips with the foolishness and wickedness of these poor Protestants. I have heard them talk their blasphemies in Naples, and even at Rome itself. It is the holy Inquisition that we need to put a stop to such vile calumnies.’
‘I had my revenge; but I know not what became of the boy. If we could gain his rights we could make a Catholic of him. I am no longer a penitent, holy father. I feel as if I had been a mighty instrument in paving the way for the return of the true religion to that unhappy land. Here,’ placing in the priest’s hand a handsome casket, ‘are the documents which will establish his claim. You go to London. You will see the lawyer of the family; he cannot deny the claim. Oh, I feel so joyful! I’ve gained my revenge! and is it not a sanctified one, as it is for the good of the Church?’
‘Daughter,’ said the priest, ‘I would fain say in the language of the Holy Book, “Many daughters have done well, but thou hast surpassed them all.” Still, it seems to me so marvellous, I can scarcely understand it.’
‘The mystery is being cleared up. I saw an English actress in the street yesterday, who I believe can help us in the matter. But in the meanwhile let us see these documents. We shall have done a great work for the Church if we can take these documents, find the child, establish his claims in a court of law, and secure him as a true son of the Church. Ah, that will be grand!’ said the Countess joyfully. ‘I gain a son for the Church.’
‘Heaven will reward you, daughter,’ said the priest; ‘but hasten and fetch the casket.’
The Countess left the room to find it. In a little while she returned with it in her hands.
‘There it is,’ said she, as she handed it to the priest.
‘What a lovely casket!’ said the priest.