Egbert left the cottage with the priest, promising to send flowers for the little one's coffin, and to return to see it one more in the evening.
He was silent for some minutes, his companion watching him in appreciative sympathy, half-guessing the truth, and giving thanks to God for his double accession to his church in one and the same hour. At last the young man said:
"Mr. Carey, you were surprised I knew your prayers?"
"I own I was, Mr. Stanway, but I was happy to see you did."
"I know more than them, and I always thought that, could I make any form of faith my own, it would be yours."
"And what you saw this morning has, I think, induced you to do so?"
"I will tell you the truth, Mr. Carey. Up to this morning I could not bring myself to any tangible belief; at this moment, thank God, I think I may venture to say I am a Catholic."
"My dear Mr. Stanway, this is indeed happy news. And see the instrument God has chosen for your conversion!"
"I have only one more question to ask you. I have studied the Catholic faith a long time; I may say I have loved it long, and, now that I feel it to be the faith of my understanding as well as of my heart, may I not be received at once?"
"Of course, if you will only come to my house, and we will have a few moments' conversation. I have no doubt you can be made one of us before to-night."