"I will read;" and, drawing his chair near the fire, he took up a book: it was in vain, however; for though he read over the same page repeatedly, he could not compose his mind sufficiently to comprehend its meaning. He threw his book aside and, fixing his eyes upon the fire, was soon lost in gloomy meditations: when a slight noise attracted his attention; and, looking round, he saw a panel in the wall slowly detach itself, and Father Morris appear in the aperture, followed by another figure, closely wrapped in a large black cloak.
"Father Morris!" cried Edmund; "is it indeed Father Morris; or some kind spirit that has assumed his shape?"
"It is indeed I, my son!" returned the priest; "and I come to rescue and console you."
"Methinks you come somewhat late, father," said Edmund, rather coldly; "for I have suffered much since I saw you!"
"Others have suffered also," resumed the monk, "and for your sake! Notwithstanding you have fancied yourself neglected and forgotten by all the world, there is one human
