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Rh he was sufficiently aware of the strength and depth of his son's character to know that his would be no transitory attachment. What, then, remained but pardon and approval? both of which were instantly given.

"I lament that your Francesca should be a Catholic, chiefly from the circumstances which surround us. I have long since known that it is the faith, not the creed, which imports in religious belief. But in these days of fanaticism, that harsh and violent spirit is abroad, when men clothe their own angry passions in the garb of righteousness, and call persecution vindicating the honour of God. Alas! what must be their idea of the Almighty power, when they deem it needs assistance from the arm of flesh?"

But his son was too happy to heed aught but the present: to a naturally sincere person, the oppression of concealment is in tolerable.

"My dearest father, you then forgive me?"

"What, my sage brother suing for forgiveness?—the very time for me to plead as well." And a young cavalier, who had entered unperceived, dropt on one knee beside.

"Francis!" they both exclaimed in equal surprise at the change in, and the suddenness of, his appearance. He had ever affected great