I never doubted that I was childless as well as wifeless; had I
done so, I should have returned at all risks to claim my own. But she!
Hilda! 'twas her mother's name! this maiden, towards whom my soul went
out in yearning, is my own! yes! my child! If a wild feeling rose when I
watched her I crushed it out, for I thought that I had stifled all human
passions; but now--" He fell on his knees, and hid his face in his
hands, his giant frame convulsed with sobs; but it was evident that he
was controlling himself, and when he rose his rugged face was full of
humanity: youth seemed to have returned to it; under the disfiguring
scars Jean could trace without difficulty the fearless, generous
features of which Judith had spoken with such enthusiasm. Haco warmly
grasped the sick man's hand, and left the cell.
Father Austin had, it appeared, learnt Judith's story from Hilda, but
this confidence also had been made under the seal of confession. He had
been confirmed in his impression of its accuracy by the tale he had
already heard from Haco, whose strange arrival was still a favourite
topic among the monks, though none of those now in the monastery had
witnessed it.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84