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 ideal of womankind. All, too, in the fulfilment of a penance, the execution of a duty. His heart leaped beneath his cassock, and warned him of the danger he incurred. Danger, indeed! It did but add to the intoxication of the draught. With difficulty he restrained the bounding impatience of his step, and kept his face averted from his friend.

The precaution was useless. Malletort knew his thoughts as well as if he had been his penitent in the confessional, and laughed within himself. The tool at least was sharp and ready, quivering, highly-tempered, and flexible; it needed but a steady hand to drive it home.

"You will come to the provincial for final instructions half an hour before you mount," said he gravely, and added, without altering his tone or moving a muscle of his countenance, "Your especial duty is to gain over Sir George. For this object it is essential to obtain the goodwill of Lady Hamilton."