ments on our holy religion. The grace which has been given to you, my dear sir, is, as it were, reflected upon your son. There is much hope.”

But Mr. Devigne was thinking of another important matter at that moment. He said :

"I am most anxious that my son should marry Miss Benbow. Her father is my earliest friend; our families were neighbours before they emigrated.

“I have many reasons for wishing Leonard to marry as soon as possible; and Miss Benbow must be the lady."

"I sincerely hope your wish will be gratified, Mr. Devigne; there seems to be every probability; indeed I can see no reason to doubt it."

"You always console me, my dear friend. But somehow I have my misgivings. Yet, I desire the event so intensely that I cannot induce my mind patiently to contemplate the chance of a disappointment."

Even

"God directs all things, my dear sir. what grieves us most often proves a blessing in the end; witness your late malady and

"True, very true; but it will be a sad trial for me if this marriage does not take place."

"Let us hope all things, my dear sir: your son promises filial obedience; your friend is anxious, as you have said, for the marriage. Surely there is cause for hope, not despondency."

"True; but the chance of

At that moment a carriage drove up the avenue; Mr. Devigne rushed to the window, and saw his old

270

HEAVEN UPON EARTH.

friend, stumbling out of the carriage. He hastened to meet the nabob.

Hearty greetings, after thirty years' absence, were given and received.

"Take Jinny's arm, Peter," said the nabob; "I'll climb your ladder by myself, just as I got through the world. Nobody helped Benbow-no thankye —much obliged; but I'd rather do all and have all— that's my motto; no digression, if you please. I say, Peter, how many more steps to the main-top? Oh, here we are, at last."

Mr. Percival passed out, wishing Mr. Devigne good-day.

St.

"Here we are," continued Mr. Benbow. "Hollo! What the deuce! Peter-St. Aloysius, Francis Borgia, . . . . . St. Ignatius. Why, this is heaven upon earth with a vengeance! What, what does it mean? Peter! the devil! an image of the Virgin Mary too-no-I'm blessed! No, I'm blind! Conflagration! What! what! you-youyou haven't turned papist? Oh, Lord! No, no, impossible! Thunder! What! Peter Devigne— a-pa-pist! Zounds! Man! Why, your greatgrandfather's bones will rise and club you to pieces! No, no; the deuce is in it-speak out, man! D——, let's have it out; tell me I'm blind, and I'll believe you; but-but-thunder! O Lord!"

Mr. Benbow sank under his energetic expostulation; his daughter gave him a chair, endeavouring to calm his excitement.

ONCE DECEIVED, TWICE SHY.

271

No, no. Tear 'em down, Jinny. Let me smash the idols. Thunder!"

Mr. Devigne turned pale: his head resting in his hand; his tongue refused its office: he was struck dumb.

Suddenly Mr. Benbow became calm; and with a firm voice addressed his friend :

"Then it's a fact, Peter? You have turned papist. You have betrayed the religion of your fathers; have you?"

Mr. Devigne remained silent.

Well, then, I tell you, and I swear it too, that Benbow and Devigne shall never mix. The bargain's off.

Why, I hate the very name of papist. Haven't I been bothered and pestered by the infernal Jesuits at Calcutta, enough to make me wish them all to the ten times over? Don't I know the whole race of them? They're pagan half-Christians, and everything to suit their purpose. Have they not meddled with everything from earth to heaven, and t'other place included, to suit their purposes? And you, my best friend, my only friend, my intended brother, you to disgrace your Protestant name so vilely! Gad, I'm sick! And I've done!

"The bargain's off. I wish you all luck. Goodday to you."

"Stay, stay, my dear friend. One word-one word, for God's sake; one”

"I have no confidence in you; once deceived, twice shy. Good-day."

272

THE TRUTH IS OUT AT LAST.

Seizing his daughter's arm, Mr. Benbow hurried down the stairs faster than he had mounted. He found his way into the court-yard, ordered his horses to be put to, and drove off to London.

Mr. Benbow had scarcely left when the following note was handed to Mr. Devigne, still in the greatest excitement:

"SIR,

"You seduced me. proposed to marry me. you at your word; but Father Percival, having designs on you, persuaded me to refuse your offer, for a time. Well, he effected his ends with you : you are converted; and you have written to advise me to turn nun. I am much obliged for your advice, but I don't choose to follow it.

But let that pass. You
Well, I should have taken

"Your cruelty, and Father Percival's deceit (a man of God!) have maddened me. God have mercy on my soul!

the

Oh, how you have been played upon! Why, very letter you received from me was dictated by Father Percival! I'd tell you more; but Heaven rest the soul of my poor child, though he remembered Father Percival's lesson so well. My poor child! But he didn't know better.

"I have done; may you be happy. I am wretched enough. Your despairing— "MARY TRUMAN."

66 THE BEGINNING OF THE END."

273

Half an hour after the delivery of this letter, a servant found Mr. Devigne on the floor, quite senseless, but still breathing. It was another attack of paralysis.

He died about nine o'clock the same night.

Events are hurrying us to the "end:" we cannot tarry for reflection. Else, what serious, painful, warning thoughts rise, like the ghosts of the dead, from the fate of this unhappy man!

One fact we will suggest the final catastrophe of his life points directly to his ruling passion-that source of healthy, moral life, if directed by reason and right religion; but a self- tormenting, selfpunishing fury, if permitted to run riot in the fleshly heart.

This reflection may partly exonerate the Jesuits of the final result. That result was not their object; but meditate the whole "transaction" from beginning to end, and then indulge your heart's more just indignation at priestly, jesuitical influence in the family.

But we are now only at "the beginning of the end." The Brentons, Leonard, and Father Fraser, have arrived at Paris. Leonard's "Destiny" is still undecided.

T