"Almost: his manner just now was so hollow, so forced; not a word of all that came from his heart, you know."
"Then his heart is changed very lately."
The priest shook his head. "Anything more like a puppet, and a parrot to boot, I never saw. 'Twas done so timely, too. He ran in upon our discourse. Let me see your hand, mistress. Why, where is the string with which you pulled yonder machine in so pat upon the word?"
"Spare me!" muttered Kate, faintly.
"Then do you drop deceit and the silly cunning of your sex, and speak to me from your heart, or not at all." (Diapason.)
At this Kate began to whimper.
"Father," she said, "show me some mercy." Then, suddenly clasping her hands: "Have pity on him, and on me."
This time Nature herself seemed to speak, and the eloquent cry went clean through the priest's heart.
"Ah!" said he; and his own voice trembled a little: "now you are as strong as your cunning was weak. Come, I see how it is with you; and I am human, and have been young, and a lover into the bargain, before I was a priest. There, dry thy eyes, child, and go to thy room; he thou couldst not trust shall bear the brunt for thee this once."
Then Kate bowed her fair head and kissed the horrid paw of him that had administered so severe but salutary a pat. She hurried away up stairs, right joyful at the unexpected turn things had taken.