While Dick Rowan, bold with passionate feeling, poured forth this torrent of words, the priest sat perfectly
motionless, and looked at him. There was no sign of anger, no consciousness of insulted dignity, in his face, but only a profound sadness. This was no haughty churchman, as his many lovers know, but a worthy follower of that lowly One who said, “The servant is not above his master.” When Father John towered in the pulpit, or spoke from the rostrum, with his “Thus saith the Lord!” and “I am Peter, and James, and John!” there was an authority which could not be defied, and a loftiness which would not have bent before Cæsar; but in things temporal, and when winning and comforting souls, his was a charity most tender, and a humility most imposing.
Something in that face, now sleeping with Abraham and the fathers, arrested the young man’s impetuous speech. He faltered, and stopped; and, when the arms were stretched out to him, dropped on his knees, and leaned his face against that kind bosom.
“Forgive me, dear father!” Dick said. “I did not mean to be rude, nor to forget the reverence due to you. I know that all you would say to me is true; but—I die hard!”
CHAPTER XXII.
EXPLANATIONS.
Meantime, what had been going on in the Yorke family at Seaton? Mrs. Yorke had not feared that there was any serious trouble till she learned that Dick Rowan had gone away. She was in bed when her young people returned the night before, and knew only what Clara came to her door to say:
“We have had a delightful sail, mamma, and are all well. I hope that you have not been anxious. Mr. Rowan fell overboard, for a diversion, and, of course, got wet; but Captain Cary got him out, and he is all right now. Good-night, mamma, for me and the girls, and Carl. We are all here.”
However late her children might be out, Mrs. Yorke could not close her motherly eyes till she knew that they were safe under the home-roof again. Then she turned upon her pillow, and dropped asleep, giving thanks. She felt a slight uneasiness when Melicent, before breakfast the next morning, asked her to send Patrick down to enquire for Dick.
“Why, was he hurt? Is he not coming up, this morning?” she asked.