Part 9 (1/2)

Depend on it that, with G.o.d's grace, I will not relax in my efforts to make known the simple Gospel, and to exhibit the sacerdotal system of Rome, and of the so-called ritualism of England, in its true light.”

CHAPTER SIX.

On reaching Cheltenham, the general took Clara to the house of his sister-in-law, a Scotch lady, who received her with the most motherly kindness.

”I very well know the sort of glamour which has been thrown around you, my dear,” she said, ”so that I can heartily sympathise with you; and I praise G.o.d that it has been removed. You can now therefore look with confidence for grace and strength from Him who is the giver of all good, to walk forward in the enjoyment of that true happiness which G.o.d in His mercy affords to His creatures. There is abundance of work for our s.e.x, which can be carried out in a straightforward, Protestant, English fas.h.i.+on.”

”I shall be thankful to find it,” said Clara.

”You will not have long to wait, my dear,” answered Mrs Caulfield; ”but at present you require being nursed yourself: you must let me take you in hand.”

As soon as the general had deposited Clara with his sister-in-law, he set off and paid his promised visit to Mary Lennard. On reaching Mrs Barnett's establishment, he was shown into a handsome drawing-room, where that lady soon presented herself, under the belief that he had come to place a daughter with her. She bowed gracefully as she glided into a seat, and smilingly enquired the object of his visit.

”I have come to see Miss Mary Lennard, daughter of my particular friend, the Reverend John Lennard,” answered he.

”She is too ill, I regret to say, to see visitors,” answered the schoolmistress. ”Had her father come, I of course should not have objected.”

”I am acting in the place of her father,” said the general, ”and I must insist on seeing the young lady, who has, I understand, been made ill by a system of fasting and penances which all right-minded people must consider objectionable.”

”Sir, you astonish me,” exclaimed Mrs Barnett. ”I should suppose that every clergyman would wish his daughter to fast on Fridays and other days ordered by the Church; and with regard to penances, such have been imposed by the priest to whom she has duly gone to confession.”

”Why, I thought this was a Protestant school,” exclaimed the general, astonished.

”That term I repudiate,” answered the lady. ”I am a daughter of the Anglican Church, and as such I wish to bring up all my pupils.”

”You may act according to your conscience, but parents may differ from you as to whether you are right in compelling growing children to fast, as also in allowing them to confess to a person whom you call a priest,”

answered the general. ”I regret having to act in any way which is disagreeable to you, but I must insist, madam, with the authority given me by Mr Lennard, on seeing his daughter alone, and judging what steps I shall take.”

The lady hesitated; the general put Mr Lennard's letter into her hand.

She still hesitated.

”Have you any reason for wis.h.i.+ng me not to see Mary?” he asked.

”She may appear worse than she really is,” said Mrs Barnett. ”Our medical attendant has visited her daily.”

”That makes it more necessary for me to see her and judge for myself,”

said the general, in a firm tone.

Mrs Barnett rang the bell, and a servant appearing, she told her to inform Miss Lennard that a friend of her father wished to see her.

”She isn't able to get up, marm, I'm afraid,” was the answer.

”Then show me her room,” said the general, rising; and without waiting to hear Mrs Barnett's remarks, he followed the servant, who led the way upstairs to a room containing four beds. A cough struck his ears as he entered. On one of the beds lay poor Mary; her once rosy cheek was pale and thin, and her large eyes unusually bright. She knew him at once, and stretching out both her hands, said, ”I am glad to see you; but I thought papa would come.”

The general explained that Mr Lennard was prevented from doing what he wished.

”Then, will you take me away from this?” she asked, in a whisper; ”I am sure that papa would do so. I am not happy here; but do not let Mrs Barnett know I said so.”

”If you can be removed without risk, I certainly will take you,”

answered the general.