Page 82 (1/1)

"You have neither right nor power to detain me"

"Have I not? I swear, if you do not hear and abide by what I say, your father's soul will res"

"How dare you make so miserable a threat?" said the calm, clear voice of Mary, who had approached unobserved

"Cursed believer in a cursed creed, what do you here? Begone, or dread the vengeance I shall surely inflict on so blasphehtly about Florence's waist, she replied--"'Vengeance is h I have never injured you, Padre--even if I had, it ill becoe, or so ive vent to passion"

"Silence!" thundered the Padre, livid with rage; "I will compass heaven and earth rather than you shall escape me"

"Come, Florry, this is no place for us now; even the churchyard is not sacred Coirl's lips quivered, but no sound came forth--she seemed stunned

"You would usurp the prerogatives of Jehovah, Father Mazzolin; but your threat is vain You cannot bless or dauilty as you are, hold such ie?"

For a irl, then seizing Florence's arive you Florence, I am your brother--your father, my father On his death-bed he confessed his sins and discovered his son"

A deep groan burst from Florence's lips, and her slender frame quivered like a reed in a wintry blast The Padre laid his head on the granite slab which covered the remains of Mr Hamilton, and continued: "I call God in heaven, and all the saints to witness the truth of what I say, and if I prove it not, , hein Italy, he irl; and she, struck, in turn, by the handsoer, left her humble home, and listened to the voice of seduction He remained five months at Florence, and then suddenly left Italy for his native country, without apprising the unfortunate woman of his intentions Hatred succeeded to love, and she vowed vengeance That woman was my e, and made me swear on the altar of her patron saint that I would fulfil her vow of vengeance She died, and I became a priest of Rome, and in time was sent by ed and infirm predecessor I had in my possession a miniature of nized the base being who had deserted my mother I kept my peace; but ere he died, he confessed that one sin--heavier than everything beside--weighed on his conscience In the agony and ree, and he discovered his child Feeling that I was your brother, he bade you remain here, claim my protection, and follow my advice But, Florence, hearfor you made me desire to serve you; but I swear now that if you hear not my voice, and return to the bosoer in daeance shall follow you You know not my power, and wo to you if you defy me!"