Several days having gone by without farther
allusion to the matter, he decided that his remonstrances had been
effective, and was greatly relieved to be freed from a task so
repugnant under any circumstances and made intolerable by his feeling
for Berenice. It was with a most painful shock, therefore, that he one
day received from the Father the information that Miss Morison had
returned to Boston. He met the Father Superior in the hall one morning
after matins, and although it was a silent hour the latter spoke.
"It is better to see her at once," he added. "Mrs. Frostwinch is very
low, and the sooner the thing is settled the better."
"But," stammered Maurice, "I"--
"I think," the other went on, ignoring the interruption, "that it will
be best for you to call on her this afternoon at exercise hour. She is
likely to be at home then, and it will be rather early for other
visitors."
Maurice struggled with himself, endeavoring to shake off the influence
which this man always exercised over him. He determined to speak, and
to decline the hateful errand.
"Father Frontford," he said with an effort, "I cannot undertake this.
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