Oh, woman, great is thy faith!
Yet it was a melancholy day, a day of conjecture and fear, a day of sad misgivings and sadder forebodings; and all through the weary hours the poor priest wore more than ever the aspect of a hunted fugitive.
Next morning the cloud lifted at last. He rushed up to my house, before he had touched his breakfast, and, fluttering one letter in the air, he proffered the other.
"There's the bishop's seal," he cried. "I was afraid to open it. Will you do it for me?"
I did, cutting the edges open with all reverence, as became the purple seal, and then I read:—
Bishop's House, All Souls' Day, 187—.
I nodded my head. Alice was right.
My dear Father Letheby:—
"What?" he cried, jumping up, and coming behind my chair to read over my shoulder.
I have just appointed Father Feely to the pastoral charge of Athlacca, vacated by the death of Canon Jones; and I hereby appoint you to the administratorship of my cathedral and mensal priest here. In doing so, I am departing somewhat from the usual custom, seeing that you have been but one year in the diocese; but in making this appointment, I desire to mark my recognition of the zeal and energy you have manifested since your advent to Kilronan. I have no doubt whatever but that you will bring increased zeal to the discharge of your larger duties here. Come over, if possible, for the Saturday confessions here, and you will remain with me until you make your own arrangements about your room at the presbytery.