"I must not come too often or my visits will excite suspicion," she replied. "But I will send you some books by Markland."
"There is a private communication between this part of the house and the library. May I not venture to make use of it?"
"Not without great caution," she rejoined. "Father Jerome is constantly in the library. But I will try to get him away in the evening, and Markland shall bring you word when you can descend with safety."
"Surely some plan might be devised by which Father Jerome could be got rid of for a time?" said Atherton.
"I have thought the matter over, but no such plan occurs to me," replied Constance. "He rarely quits the house, and were I to propose to him to take a journey, or pay a visit, he would immediately suspect I had an object in doing so. But even if he were willing to go, my Aunt Butler I am sure would object."
"Is she not aware that I am in the house?"
"No, Monica and I thought it better not to trust her. She could not keep the secret from Father Jerome."
"Then since the evil cannot be remedied it must be endured," said Atherton.
"That is the right way to view it," rejoined Constance. "Not till the moment of your departure must Father Jerome learn that you have taken refuge here. And now, adieu!"